Unusuma Editor, Author at උණුසුම් පුවත්

13 Jan

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Who Will Dominate the Tournament’s Comeback?

By unusuma.lk on Jan 13, 2025 @ 3:29 pm (LK time)

The ICC Champions Trophy makes a thrilling return after an eight-year break, with Pakistan and the UAE hosting the prestigious tournament starting from 19 February 2025. Cricket fans can expect high-intensity matches as top teams battle for glory.

The eight participating teams have been split into two groups for the opening stage, where each team will play three group-stage matches. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals, keeping the competition fierce from the very start.

Group A will see cricket powerhouses Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand face off, while Group B brings together Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa for equally intense clashes.

Australia, England, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh have already revealed their squads for the tournament, while South Africa, India, and Pakistan are yet to finalise their player line-ups.

The tournament opener promises excitement, with the host nation Pakistan set to take on New Zealand in Karachi on 19 February.

13 Jan

President Anura Kumara Set for Landmark Visit to China – Key Talks Expected.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 13, 2025 @ 3:24 pm (LK time)

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will leave for the People’s Republic of China this evening (13) on a four-day state visit, responding to an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The official visit, scheduled from 14 to 17 January, will involve high-level meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Discussions will focus on strengthening diplomatic ties while exploring cooperation in key areas such as technology, agriculture, and poverty alleviation.

President Dissanayake is also expected to participate in business forums, aiming to boost economic collaboration between the two nations. Bilateral agreements enhancing trade, investment, and overall economic relations are anticipated to be signed during the visit.

This marks President Dissanayake’s second international visit and is seen as a significant step in deepening Sri Lanka-China relations, particularly in the areas of economic development and strategic partnerships.

Slug: president-china-visit Meta Description: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to visit China for key talks with President Xi Jinping, focusing on trade, technology, and economic cooperation.

13 Jan

Why Is Duminda Silva Back in the Prisons Hospital? Here’s What We Know.

By unusuma.lk on Jan 13, 2025 @ 10:51 am (LK time)

Death row inmate Duminda Silva has once again been admitted to the Prisons Hospital following a sudden health complication, the Prisons Department confirmed.

Silva, who had been under treatment at the Prisons Hospital for some time, was transferred to the Welikada Prison on January 10. However, he was later rushed to the National Hospital, Colombo, after experiencing a sudden medical issue while in the general ward at Welikada.

His treatment at the Prisons Hospital was initially based on the recommendations of a specialist from the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital. After a written inquiry from the Commissioner General of Prisons to the Director General of Health, a panel of 18 specialist doctors was appointed to assess Silva’s medical needs.

Following their evaluation, the medical team concluded that Silva did not require continuous hospitalisation unless an emergency arose. They recommended immediate treatment only in the event of a medical complication.

Prisons Spokesman Gamini Dissanayake explained that Silva was admitted to the National Hospital based on the recommendation of the Prisons Hospital’s doctor after an unexpected health issue occurred at Welikada.

After receiving treatment at the National Hospital, Silva was transferred back to the Prisons Hospital on Sunday. “The Chief Medical Officer of the Prisons Hospital recommended continued care at the facility,” Dissanayake stated.

Silva remains under treatment at the Prisons Hospital, with further updates on his condition expected on January 15, the spokesman added.

13 Jan

Raging LA Wildfires Claim 16 Lives as Firefighters Battle Relentless Flames

By unusuma.lk on Jan 13, 2025 @ 10:45 am (LK time)

Firefighters in Los Angeles are racing against time as wildfires continue to devastate communities, leaving 16 people dead and thousands of homes reduced to ashes. Strong winds and dry conditions threaten to worsen the situation this week, prompting urgent warnings from weather officials.

The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings until Wednesday, citing wind speeds reaching up to 113 kph in mountainous areas. Meteorologist Rich Thompson warned that Tuesday could be particularly dangerous due to strong Santa Ana winds and extremely dry vegetation, increasing fire risks.

In preparation, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone confirmed the arrival of 70 additional water trucks to support firefighting efforts. Fire retardant was dropped over hillsides on Sunday to slow the spread of flames.

The destructive wildfires, fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds and months of drought, have engulfed entire neighbourhoods. Sheriff Robert Luna reported that 16 people remain missing, with dozens more reports being investigated. Among the missing, 12 are linked to the Eaton Fire zone and four to the Palisades Fire.

The death toll climbed to 16 over the weekend, with five fatalities linked to the Palisades Fire and 11 to the Eaton Fire. Authorities expect the number to rise further as cadaver dogs continue searching through the debris.

Over 150,000 residents remain under evacuation orders, with nine shelters currently housing more than 700 displaced individuals. Most evacuation orders, particularly in the Palisades area, are expected to remain in place until weather conditions improve by Wednesday.

The fires, which ignited north of downtown Los Angeles, have scorched over 62 square miles (160 square kilometers) of land, an area larger than San Francisco. The Palisades Fire is only 11% contained, while the Eaton Fire has reached 27% containment.

Fire crews from across California, Mexico, and nine other states, including nearly 1,400 fire engines and 84 aircraft, continue battling the blazes. California’s National Guard has also been deployed to prevent looting, with reports of suspects posing as firefighters attempting to enter homes.

Governor Gavin Newsom described the wildfires as potentially the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history, with damages estimated between $135 billion and $150 billion. He has also issued an executive order to fast-track property rebuilding and prevent increased property taxes for affected homeowners.

The situation remains dire, with weather forecasts predicting continued dangerous conditions. Authorities urge residents to stay away from scorched areas due to ongoing risks, including unstable structures and hazardous materials.

13 Jan

Is Sri Lanka Finally Ready to Tackle Medicine Quality Concerns with New Testing Labs?

By unusuma.lk on Jan 13, 2025 @ 10:33 am (LK time)

In a bold step toward ensuring the safety and quality of medicines, the Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, has revealed plans to establish dedicated laboratories for testing pharmaceuticals. This move comes amidst rising concerns over the quality of imported medicines and a recent blacklisting of a pharmaceutical company involved in questionable practices.

Speaking to journalists in Kandy, Dr. Jasinghe explained that while testing of medicines had previously been carried out only when complaints were raised, this reactive approach was not enough to guarantee public safety. He emphasized that, “These tests should be conducted at various stages of quality checking,” adding that the government is now prioritizing the creation of one or two laboratories in Sri Lanka to improve the system.

Highlighting the significance of the plan, Dr. Jasinghe pointed out that although Sri Lanka is a relatively small nation, its healthcare procurement process is much larger than that of many developed countries. The reason, he noted, lies in the country’s state-run healthcare system, where the centralized supply of medicines makes rigorous testing even more essential.

12 Jan

Presidential Action to End Container Delays in 4 Days.!

By unusuma.lk on Jan 13, 2025 @ 3:14 am (LK time)

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met today (12) with officials from Sri Lanka Customs and key port service providers to address ongoing delays in the clearance of imported containers. The President has called for urgent action to resolve the issue within four days, as stated by the President’s Media Division (PMD).

During the meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, President Dissanayake listened attentively to the challenges faced by both state institutions, like Sri Lanka Customs, and the port service providers. He emphasized the importance of a coordinated effort between public and private sectors to tackle the current crisis. As a result, all parties agreed to collaborate towards an immediate resolution.

A key decision was to have Sri Lanka Customs operate 24/7 in order to expedite the clearance process. Additionally, a 5-acre land plot in the Bloemendhal area will be used for storing containers awaiting investigation. Two acres of this land are expected to be freed up by January 31, with the remainder available by February 28.

To address congestion at port terminals caused by idle container vehicles, the government has agreed to allocate land in Peliyagoda for parking, easing traffic bottlenecks.

Delays caused by regulatory agencies, such as the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), the Department of Food Commissioner, and the Plant Quarantine Division, were also discussed. These delays were largely attributed to staffing shortages. The President has directed that these vacancies be filled quickly, and welfare allowances for officers in these agencies will be increased to improve efficiency.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Ratnayake, assured that any financial requirements for the improvements could be met by the Ministry of Ports. The President was also urged to take disciplinary action against clerical staff who do not report for duty on time during the clearance process. Minister Ratnayake reminded private sector companies of their responsibility to ensure their employees show up on time.

In line with government regulations, importers have agreed that food-related products will now require mandatory certification from foreign laboratories to ensure proper testing. Legal action will be taken for any violations.

As part of the new measures, the free storage period for containers within port premises will be reduced to two days, with plans to further shorten this to one day by June.

Minister Ratnayake further confirmed that the expedited clearance process would continue until June 30, urging all stakeholders—port authorities, customs, and private service providers—to work together as a unified team.

The meeting was attended by several high-level officials, including the Minister of Labour, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, and the Secretary to the President, along with representatives from Sri Lanka Customs, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, and various associations involved in import and export clearance operations.

12 Jan

Financial Missteps in Youth Concert Series Exposed.!

An audit inquiry has brought to light a financial fraud within the Smart Youth Night exhibition series, a special government initiative. This exhibition, which includes concerts, was initially proposed by Harin Fernando, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports. Irregularities in its planning and execution were recently revealed by Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Eranga Gunasekara.

During a recent media briefing, Deputy Minister Gunasekara disclosed that, although expenses were incurred for two of the 14 planned concerts in the series, these events were never held. The concerts, which were scheduled for Hatton and Welisara, saw preliminary costs amounting to Rs. 295,292, but neither event took place as planned.

Breaking down the expenses, Gunasekara revealed that Rs. 234,592 was spent on preparations for the Hatton concert, while Rs. 60,700 was allocated for the Welisara concert. Despite these substantial amounts, no concerts materialized.

The audit, conducted on January 6 of this year, found that these questionable expenditures occurred during the previous government’s tenure, amid a challenging economic situation. The Deputy Minister pointed out that the Smart Youth Night series, proposed by the Youth Services Council, began in April, but Cabinet approval was not granted until July. The Youth Services Council was only informed about the project a week after Cabinet’s nod.

The project was marketed as a health initiative aimed at improving the physical and mental wellbeing of young people by 2030, with claims of reducing non-communicable diseases. However, the audit has cast doubt on the credibility of these claims, describing them as unreasonable.

In response to these findings, Deputy Minister Gunasekara assured that a formal investigation is underway, with legal action set to follow against those responsible for the financial fraud.

The briefing, which took place at the Diyagama International Sports Complex in Homagama, also highlighted future development plans for the complex. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, and Deputy Minister of Sports, Sugath Thilakaratne, were present at the event.

12 Jan

How a 20% Tax Hike Reduced Alcohol Consumption in Sri Lanka.!

The Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) has highlighted a significant development in Sri Lanka’s battle against alcohol and tobacco consumption. According to ADIC, a 20% increase in excise taxes on alcohol last year resulted in a dramatic 8.3 million litre drop in alcohol consumption. At the same time, the move contributed an impressive Rs. 11.6 billion to government revenue.

ADIC Executive Director, Sampath de Seram, expressed support for this tax hike, stating that it was a crucial step towards reducing public health risks. He explained that such measures align with recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), aiming to curb unhealthy habits like excessive drinking and smoking.

“This latest step is beneficial in two ways,” de Seram commented, emphasizing that higher taxes not only reduce consumption but also boost state revenue substantially.

The impact was also evident in cigarette sales, which saw a sharp decline of 521.5 million units last year. Despite this reduction, tax revenue from cigarettes increased by Rs. 7.7 billion, underscoring the dual benefits of excise tax hikes in the country.

However, de Seram cautioned that such initiatives should be implemented scientifically, taking into account inflation and other economic factors to ensure long-term effectiveness.

12 Jan

Shakib Al Hasan’s Bowling Ban Extended After Failure in Reassessment

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will continue to be banned from bowling in international cricket after failing an independent reassessment of his bowling action. The 37-year-old was initially suspended from bowling in England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) competitions following concerns raised during his only appearance for Surrey in the County Championship last season.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) later confirmed that the suspension applied to all domestic competitions outside of Bangladesh, as well as international cricket.

In a statement released on Saturday, the BCB revealed that Shakib had failed the reassessment conducted last month in Chennai, India. Despite this, Shakib is still eligible to play as a specialist batter in all forms of cricket.

12 Jan

Government to Launch Eco-Friendly Products with a Local Twist

By unusuma.lk on Jan 12, 2025 @ 4:12 pm (LK time)

Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, has announced that the government will introduce a series of environmentally friendly products rooted in green energy principles within the next two years. These products will aim to preserve the nation’s unique identity while supporting sustainable development.

Handunnetti made this statement during a recent visit to the VEGA Innovations facility in Maradana, where he had the opportunity to observe groundbreaking technologies. Among the innovations were the VEGA electric car, which is proudly recognized as the world’s third-fastest electric vehicle, the fully local electric three-wheeler, and other cutting-edge AI-powered products.

The Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for sustainable technologies, underlining that the current administration is ready to implement necessary policy changes to remove obstacles hindering the promotion of green products, both locally and internationally.

During the visit, VEGA Innovations’ CEO, Dr. Harsha Subasinghe, shared his vision for the future of artificial intelligence (AI). He projected that by 2030, the AI industry could grow to a remarkable $1.5 trillion, with Sri Lanka having the potential to capture at least 1% of this market, which translates to a potential $150 billion opportunity.

Dr. Subasinghe also highlighted the rapid global growth in demand for electric three-wheelers, a market currently valued at $30 billion. He suggested that Sri Lanka could tap into 10% to 15% of this sector, which would significantly boost the local economy.

We are happy to invite you.