Sri Lanka
Protests demand Sri Lanka leader resign over economic crisis
Police fired tear gas and a water cannon at thousands of protesters outside the home of Sri Lanka's president Thursday, demanding he resign over the nation's worst economic crisis.
Police later enforced a curfew in suburbs of the capital because the protests wouldn't subside. The protesters blamed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for long power outages and shortages of essentials and shouted, “Go home, Gota go home.”
The crowds demonstrating along the roads leading to his private residence at Mirihana, on the outskirts of Colombo, stoned two army buses that police were using to block the protesters from entering the road leading to Rajapaksa’s residence. They set fire to one of buses and turned back a fire truck that rushed to douse it.
At least one person was severely injured in the leg when police fired tear gas cannisters directly at protesters to stop their attack on the bus.
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Armed soldiers with assault rifles were stationed near the protest. Angry protesters also gathered around the Mirihana police station accusing the police of trying to protect the corrupt. Police there deployed tear gas.
Sri Lanka has huge debt obligations and dwindling foreign reserves, and its struggle to pay for imports has caused the shortages. People wait in long lines for fuel, and power is cut for several hours daily because there's not enough fuel to operate generating plants and dry weather that has sapped hydropower capacity.
Lamenting the power cuts that are up to 13 hours a day, protester Dulaj Madhushan, 30, asked: “How can people earn a living?”
“This is not a political one, but a protest led by people. They took people for granted. Now you can see peoples' power,” he said.
The protesters appeared voluntary and without a leader. Residents of a middle-class neighborhood including many women who would normally not participate in street protests were seen telling police that they were fighting for them, too.
Protester Asanka Dharmasinghe, 37, said he has been running a carpentry shed, employing four people and paying them each about $12 a day, but he is unable to cover the costs because he only has two hours of electricity to work.
“My daughter is sitting for exams, but there is no paper,” he said.
The curfew imposed in parts of Colombo and suburbs after the protests ended will last until further notice, police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said.
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He asked people in the areas where the curfew was imposed to remain at home, warning that violations will be dealt with strictly according to the law. He also said motorists will not be allowed to travel through those areas.
Sri Lanka’s economic woes are blamed on successive governments not diversifying exports and relying on traditional cash sources like tea, garments and tourism, and on a culture of consuming imported goods.
The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a heavy blow to Sri Lanka’s economy, with the government estimating a loss of $14 billion in the last two years.
Sri Lanka also has immense foreign debt after borrowing heavily on projects that don’t earn money. Its foreign debt repayment obligations are around $7 billion for this year alone.
According to the Central Bank, inflation rose to 17.5% in February from 16.8% a month earlier. Its expected to continue rising because the government has allowed the local currency to float freely.
Separately on Thursday, the country's Catholic bishops called for unity among politicians, warning that the island is fast becoming a failed state.
All governments to date are responsible in varying degree for the crisis, the Catholic Bishops' Conference in Sri Lanka said in a statement, adding that the government and the opposition must adopt a conciliatory approach without blaming each other.
The bishops called on Catholic institutions and individuals to provide assistance to the most affected groups.
Tigers to host Lankan Lions in May for two Tests
Sri Lanka will visit Bangladesh in May this year for a two-match Test series, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said Thursday.
The series is part of the ICC Test Championship 2021-23
The first Test of the series will be played at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on May 15, and the second Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on May 23.
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Before the series, Sri Lanka will play a two-day practice match at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram on May 11 and 12.
Bangladesh national team is now touring South Africa for a three-match ODI and two-match Test series.
The Tigers finished their ODI campaign with a historic series win. The Test series began Thursday at Durban.
Sri Lanka offers greater use of Colombo port by Bangladesh
President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa has offered greater use of Colombo port by Bangladesh for transportation of Bangladeshi goods.
Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen paid a courtesy call on the President of Sri Lanka at the Presidential Palace in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The Foreign Minister is now currently staying in Sri Lanka in connection with the 18th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting and the 5th BIMSTEC Summit.
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The Foreign Minister drew attention of the Sri Lankan President to enhance trade and promote tourism by regular commercial shipping line and cruise shipping between Chattogram and Colombo Port.
For further promotion of tourism between the two countries, the Foreign Minister underscored the necessity of affordable air ticket prices with enhanced air connectivity in participation with more airlines.
The Sri Lankan President deeply appreciated the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the policy of collective prosperity with special focus on counter terrorism and violent extremism.
Momen urged the President of Sri Lanka to take joint initiatives to fully utilize the trade potentials between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
BIMSTEC leaders pledge to intensify regional cooperation to offset economic losses
Leaders of the BIMSTEC on Wednesday vowed to intensify regional cooperation to strengthen connectivity, enhance trade and investment in tourism, technology and energy sectors to offset the economic losses caused by the pandemic.
They also pledged to strengthen their collective resilience to combat the challenges of poverty, natural disasters, climate change, pandemics and all other public health emergencies.
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The BIMSTEC leaders in its 5th Summit, held in Sri Lankan capital city, pledged to strengthen their efforts to effectively deal with terrorism and transnational crimes, and ensure food and energy security through partnership and joint actions, in parallel to the implementation toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, keeping in mind that COVID 19 may not be the last calamity to befall their region.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of Bhutan; Prime Minister of Nepal; President of Sri Lanka; Prime Minister of Thailand and representative of Myanmar met virtually in Colombo for the Fifth BIMSTEC Summit.
They encouraged Member States to continue to support one another in combating COVID-19 through the BIMSTEC framework as well as bilaterally to foster the spirit of BIMSTEC solidarity, according to the 5th BIMSTEC Summit Deceleration.
The key outcome of the Summit was the adoption and signing of the BIMSTEC Charter, which formalizes the grouping into an organization made up of member states that are littoral to, and dependent upon, the Bay of Bengal.
Sri Lanka lauds PM Hasina’s efforts in combating terrorism
Sri Lanka has highly appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s policies and measures in dealing with terrorism while the two South Asian countries eye to work more closely on potential areas to have a stronger bilateral relationship.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen had a meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart Admiral (Professor) Jayanath Colombage in the Sri Lankan capital on Monday and discussed issues of mutual interest.
The two Foreign Secretaries laid emphasis on bringing more momentum in the bilateral relations through expeditious convening of meetings of various bilateral forums, including the Preferential Trade Agreement.
At the meeting they pledged to continue the current trend of relations and to continue cooperative relations in international forums.
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During the bilateral meeting, the two Foreign Secretaries expressed satisfaction over the ongoing close ties and communication between the two countries, despite the Covid-19 overcrowding.
Australia to tour Sri Lanka for 10 matches in June and July
Australia will travel to Sri Lanka for a 10-match series in all formats in June and July in its first tour of the south Asian country since 2016, when the hosts won a three-test series 3-0.
The tour will feature three Twenty20 matches, five one-dayers and the two tests from June 7 to July 12. Colombo will host three T20s and three one-dayers with Kandy the venue for two one-dayers.
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Galle will host both test matches, from June 29-July 3 and July 8-12.
“There is no more challenging place to play cricket than on the subcontinent and this tour offers our players invaluable experience and another great opportunity to excel on the world stage,” Cricket Australia’s chief executive officer Nick Hockley said in a statement on Friday.
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Australia tour of Sri Lanka:
June 7: 1st T20, ColomboJune 8: 2nd T20, ColomboJune 11: 3rd T20, ColomboJune 14: 1st ODI, KandyJune 16: 2nd ODI, KandyJune 19: 3rd ODI, ColomboJune 21: 4th ODI, ColomboJune 24: 5th ODI, ColomboJune 29-July 3: 1st Test, GalleJuly 8-12: 2nd Test, Galle
Asia Cup T20 to be held in August
The next edition of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Asia Cup to be held in August in Sri Lanka, the ACC has confirmed on Saturday.
The last edition of the Asia Cup took place in the UAE in 2018 when India won the title beating Bangladesh in the final.
The Asia cup was scheduled to be played in 2020 in Sri Lanka. But due to the pandemic hiatus, the schedule was changed twice.
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The event will be held in the T20 format as the teams will take part in the T2o World Cup later this year. The next edition of the Asia Cup will be played in Pakistan, the ACC has also confirmed.
The ACC has confirmed that this year’s Asia Cup will be held between August 27 to September 11. At the same time, the executive committee of the ACC has extended the tenure of the current president Joy Shah by one year until 2024.
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Joy Shah took over the rule of the ACC head from Bangladesh’s Nazmul Hassan in early 2021.
The committee has also upgraded the status of Qatar to the full member of the ACC from its associate status.
India extends USD 1 billion credit line to Sri Lanka
India on Thursday extended a USD 1 billion credit line to Sri Lanka to help the island nation tide over its worst economic crisis while allowing for the import of food, medicines and other essential items.
An agreement to this regard was inked between the State Bank of India, the country's largest public lender, and the Sri Lankan government in New Delhi, in the presence of visiting Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa.
"Neighbourhood first. India stands with Sri Lanka. US$ 1 billion credit line signed for supply of essential commodities. Key element of the package of support extended by India,” Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.
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Earlier in the day, Rajapaksa held talks with Jaishankar and his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman. A day before, the Lankan Minister called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and thanked him for extending financial support to Colombo.
Last month, India provided a USD 500 million line of credit to Sri Lanka to help the neighbouring nation avert a severe foreign exchange and energy crisis.
Kohli reaches 8,000 runs in 100 tests; India 357-6 at stumps
Virat Kohli reached 8,000 runs in his 100th test and Rishabh Pant hit 96 off 97 balls as India scored 357-6 at stumps in the first test against Sri Lanka on Friday.
The 33-year-old Kohli scored 45, including five boundaries, during his 76-ball stay. He is the sixth India batter to hit 8,000 runs in test matches and the 12th player for India to reach 100 tests. Kohli went into the match at Mohali with 7,962 runs.
“My mindset has always been to play to help the team win. That is what will remain,” Kohli said. “It is important to feel a certain joy when playing and I have always felt that way and still feel that way.”
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Pant got his ninth test half-century as India took control in the third session of the opening day.
Opener Hanuma Vihari (58) completed his sixth test half-century and added 90 runs for the third wicket with Kohli, who walked to the crease to a chorus of cheers.
Sri Lanka pulled things back with two wickets in four overs.
Kohli played late and was bowled by Lasith Embuldeniya (2-107). Vishwa Fernando (1-69) left India at 175-4 as Vihari was bowled in the 47th over.
Kohli’s wait for an elusive 71st century goes on. He last reached the three-figure mark in November 2019.
“As long as there is focus on the right things, I am not too bothered about milestones,” Kolhi said. “These are just conversations that have happened in the outside world and they will continue to do so. I personally don’t think like that. I am batting well and for me that is the most important thing.”
India went to tea at 199-4 with Shreyas Iyer and Pant at the crease.
After the break, the duo briskly added 53 runs for the fifth wicket. Pant reached his half-century off 73 balls, including five fours and a six, but lost his partner at the other end.
Dhananjaya de Silva (1-47) trapped Iyer (27) lbw. The batter reviewed it unsuccessfully.
Joined by Ravindra Jadeja, Pant then pressed the attack button. He hit another four fours but also three sixes. Pant scored the next 46 runs off only 24 balls as India crossed 300 in the 77th over.
The Pant-Jadeja partnership put on 104 off only 118 balls. Pant fell excruciatingly short of his second hundred on home soil, and was bowled by Suranga Lakmal (1-63).
“We all know how he (Pant) bats, and it was a special innings today,” Vihari said. “He helped us get to 350-plus on the first day, which will be helpful going forward.”
Jadeja was unbeaten on 45 runs and closed out the day with Ravichandran Ashwin (10 not out).
Earlier, India was 109-2 at lunch after opting to bat.
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Rohit Sharma (29) combined with Mayank Agarwal (33) in a 52-run opening partnership, scoring at above five runs an over, in his first test as India captain.
Sharma pulled a delivery from Lahiru Kumara (1-52) and was caught at fine leg in the 10th over.
Vihari went in at No. 3 and put on 28 runs with Agarwal for the second wicket as Sri Lanka brought the run-rate under check.
“I am happy to bat where the team wants me to, but No. 3 is my preferred spot,” Vihari said. “I was batting well, and the ball was coming onto the bat initially. But once the ball was old, it was difficult to time it.”
Embuldeniya made the second breakthrough for Sri Lanka, when he trapped Agarwal lbw.
The match in Mohali also marks Sri Lanka’s 300th test. Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne said he also would have chosen to bat first if he had won the toss, aiming to end a run of 20 tests in India without a victory.
Bangladesh’s relations with Sri Lanka will grow further, Hasina says in a video message
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Friday expressed her confidence that Bangladesh’s relations with Sri Lanka would grow further through cooperation in multiple sectors. “In recent years, our bilateral cooperation has widened and I have the conviction that it would grow even more through multi-pronged cooperation, particularly in agriculture, trade, shipping, people-to-people ties, and tourism,” she said.
Read: Hasina vows to accelerate country’s socio-economic development for better living standard of peopleShe said this in a video message at a virtual programme to mark the golden jubilee of the diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
On this day in 1972 Sri Lanka recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent country.
“The early recognition by Sri Lanka provided the newly emerging country with much valued support,” the prime minister said.
She said that the last fifty years have provided a solid foundation for the partnership of the two neighbouring South Asian countries.“I am confident that we will be working together for building a prosperous and peaceful region in next fifty years and beyond,” she said. Hasina said that indomitable people of Bangladesh has achieved significant progress in socio-economic development in last 13 years, being imbued with the spirit of the country’s glorious War of Liberation and the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“We deeply value Sri Lanka’s partnership in our incredible journey towards attainment of socio-economic emancipation,” she said.
Read: Hasina pins hope on youths to materialise Vision 2041 In this connection, she said that she is very happy that Sri Lanka remained as a trusted friend and partner of Bangladesh in the common endeavour of the two countries.She recalled Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to Dhaka in March last year to join the celebration of the Birth Centenary of Bangabandhu and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence.