Journalist Darshana Handunhoda, 55, of the popular YouTube channel SL Deshaya has died, according to family sources. He had been receiving treatment for an illness and died Friday morning, Jan. 10, at the National Hospital Colombo.
Sri Lankan Delegation Takes Part in CII Partnership Summit 2025 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ILCCI), successfully led a high-level Sri Lankan business delegation to the CII Partnership Summit 2025, held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Organised annually by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Partnership Summit is recognised as a premier global forum that brings together India’s political leadership, senior policymakers, industry captains, and a strong international business presence.
The Sri Lankan delegation, representing a broad spectrum of industries, was led by Mr. Buwanekabahu Perera, Chief Executive Officer of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Delegates attended the ceremonial inauguration of the Summit, which was graced by distinguished dignitaries including Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N. Chandrababu Naidu, and other senior officials of the Government of India.
During the Summit, the delegation actively participated in high-level discussions centred on global trade, investment flows, digital transformation, and regional cooperation. These sessions offered valuable insights into India’s evolving economic landscape, emerging growth sectors, and strategic policy priorities.
In addition to the plenary sessions, Sri Lankan delegates took part in a structured programme of Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings with Indian and international companies. These engagements enabled direct interaction with potential partners across multiple sectors, paving the way for trade partnerships, joint ventures, investment collaborations, and technology exchanges.
The mission played a key role in strengthening commercial linkages between Sri Lanka and India, while reinforcing the commitment of both the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the ILCCI to support their member companies, deepen regional cooperation, and position Sri Lanka as a competitive player in the global marketplace.
The Chambers underscored that sustained engagement in platforms such as the CII Partnership Summit is vital to advancing Sri Lanka’s economic diplomacy, expanding market access, and creating long-term growth opportunities for the country’s business community.
Dialog Launches Sri Lanka’s Largest 5G Network, Connecting Over 1.5 Million Subscribers
Dialog Axiata PLC has officially launched Dialog 5G Ultra, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s digital evolution and its entry into the 5G era. The network currently operates across over 220 live 5G sites, serving more than 1.5 million subscribers, making it the largest 5G network in the country and the first commercially enabled 5G service in Sri Lanka.
The commercial rollout comes after Dialog secured a 100 MHz block in the 3500 MHz band and a 200 MHz block in the 27 GHz band during the 5G spectrum auction conducted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL). By leveraging both spectrum bands, Dialog 5G Ultra delivers ultra-fast gigabit speeds, low latency, and enhanced network performance, supporting richer digital experiences for consumers and advanced solutions for enterprises across Sri Lanka.
Supun Weerasinghe, Group CEO of Dialog Axiata PLC, commented:
"The launch of Dialog 5G Ultra is a defining step in strengthening Sri Lanka’s digital infrastructure. Beyond faster connectivity, 5G is a key enabler of innovation, productivity, and inclusion in the digital economy.
As the country’s largest 5G network, we are investing USD 100 million over the next two years to expand 5G connectivity nationwide, ensuring that individuals, businesses, and industries can fully participate in a digital Sri Lanka. We thank the TRCSL and the Government for conducting a transparent auction process to allocate 5G spectrum."
Dialog’s 5G network also positions the company as the only operator to hold 27 GHz spectrum, enabling gigabit speeds and advanced enterprise applications, alongside 3500 MHz spectrum for nationwide coverage. The company’s commitment extends to international connectivity as well, offering the widest 5G roaming network in Sri Lanka, partnering with 155 global operators across 76 countries—allowing subscribers seamless high-speed connectivity while travelling abroad and for inbound tourists.
This launch builds on Dialog’s long-standing legacy of technological innovation in Sri Lanka—from introducing 2G, 3G, and 4G, to pioneering early 5G trials and operating the country’s most extensive 5G test network. With Dialog 5G Ultra, these advancements are now available for widespread use, embedding high-performance connectivity into everyday life and business operations.
To celebrate the launch, Dialog has introduced a suite of 5G-ready devices, data plans, and content offerings, enabling customers to fully experience the capabilities of 5G. More information is available at www.dialog.lk
.
As Sri Lanka’s 5G pioneer, Dialog continues to lead the nation’s digital transformation, delivering world-class connectivity, empowering enterprises, and enriching lives through future-ready technologies.
nVentures Leads US$200K Seed Round in Flash Health to Expand Cashless Outpatient Care in Sri Lanka
Flash Health, a Sri Lankan healthtech startup delivering cashless, on-demand outpatient care, has raised US$200,000 in seed funding, led by nVentures, with participation from angel investors based in Sri Lanka, Singapore, and the United States.
Australia’s leading influencer Luana Ostling has arrived in Sri Lanka for an exclusive 10-day luxury travel experience, set to explore the island’s finest destinations, culture, and hospitality
Sri Lanka Tourism warmly welcomes Australia’s award-winning content creator, Luana Ostling, to the island as part of a dynamic campaign aimed at revitalizing international travel and positioning Sri Lanka as a safe, welcoming, and breathtaking destination.
Stage Set for FACETS Sri Lanka 2026
Sri Lanka is set to take centre stage in the global gem and jewellery industry with the opening of FACETS Sri Lanka 2026, the country’s flagship international gem and jewellery exhibition.
The three-day event will be held from 3 to 5 January 2026 at The Forum, Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams, Colombo, and is recognised as the world’s first major international jewellery exhibition of the year. Now in its 33rd year, FACETS Sri Lanka has established itself as one of the region’s most respected and enduring trade exhibitions.
PickMe Calls for Urgent Police Action to Protect Independent Drivers and Public Safety in Tourist Zones
Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka PLC (PickMe), Sri Lanka’s leading homegrown digital mobility platform, has formally written to the Inspector General of Police expressing grave concern over escalating incidents of intimidation, obstruction, and unlawful interference and violence directed at independent transport providers operating voluntarily through ride-hailing applications in key tourist locations.
World’s Longest Highway Tunnel Opens in China’s Xinjiang Region
China has officially opened traffic on a major new expressway cutting through the Tianshan mountain range in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, marking a significant milestone in infrastructure development after more than five years of construction.
Malima MP Allegedly Verbally Abuses Grama Niladhari Officer Using Obscene Language
A female Grama Niladhari officer attached to the Mangala Eliya division in the Mundalama Divisional Secretariat has lodged a complaint with the Mundalama Police, alleging that National People’s Power (NPP / Malima) Puttalam District Member of Parliament Vimal Rohana verbally abused and threatened her with death using obscene language.
Athapaththu’s 64*, Madara’s 3-wicket debut guide Sri Lanka to victory
Debutant right-arm fast bowler Malki Madara delivered an impressive spell, taking 3 for 14, while skipper Chamari Athapaththu smashed an unbeaten 64 off 48 balls as Sri Lanka Women secured a 7-wicket victory over New Zealand Women in their first T20I in Christchurch yesterday.
This was Sri Lanka’s first-ever T20I win in New Zealand and their second victory overall against the White Ferns in this format.
New Zealand opted to bat first but struggled to build momentum as Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept them in check, bowling them out for 101 in 18.5 overs. The visitors then chased down the target in just 14.1 overs, with Athapaththu leading from the front, smashing 9 fours and 2 sixes in her match-winning knock.
Young opener Vishmi Gunaratne was dismissed early for 7 off 11 balls, with fast bowler Jess Kerr providing New Zealand with an early breakthrough. However, Athapaththu took full responsibility and guided her team to victory, securing a 1-0 series lead with 35 balls to spare.
Earlier, Emma McLeod was New Zealand’s top scorer. The number three batter hit three fours in her knock of 44 off 46 balls before becoming the final wicket to fall, as debutant Madara wrapped up the innings. Skipper Suzie Bates (21 off 14) was the only other player to reach double figures for the hosts.
Sri Lanka started with two spinners, Sugandika Kumari and Inoshi Priyadharshani, before introducing Madara as the fourth bowler. She did the damage with a 3.5-over spell, while Kavisha Dilhari (2/18) and Priyadharshani (2/25) provided solid support. Wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani was brilliant behind the stumps, completing three stumpings.
Madara was named Player of the Match on her T20I debut, while Manudi Nanayakkara, Sri Lanka’s Under-19 skipper, also made her senior debut in this game.
The two teams will meet again in the second T20I on Sunday (16) at the same venue.
Chief scores
New Zealand Women’s 101 all out in 18.5 overs Suzie Bates 21, Emma McLeod 44, Jess Kerr 10, Sugandika Kumari 1/16/Inoshi Priyadharshani 2/25, Malki Madara 3/14, Chamari Athapaththu 1/10, Kavisha Dilhari 2/18
Sri Lanka Women’s 102 for 3 wickets in 14.1 overs Chamari Athapaththu 64*, Kavisha Dilhari 12, Nilakshika Silva 12*, Jess Kerr 2/18.
Liyanage (51) and Bandara (84*) guide Jaffna to 227/7
Jeffrey Vandersay, the leg-spinner, took impressive figures of 6 for 86 as Colombo were all out for 386 in their first innings, while Jaffna reached 227 for 7 wickets at the close of the second day’s play in their NSL Four-Day Cricket fixture at Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
At one stage, Jaffna were struggling at 41 for 4 wickets, but skipper Janith Liyanage played a crucial knock of 51 in 105 balls, with 3 fours. Wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara also fought hard, remaining unbeaten on 84 from 214 balls, with 7 fours and a six. Despite their efforts, Jaffna still trail by 159 runs in the first innings. Colombo’s off-spinner, Nishan Peiris, was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 55.
Mendis’ 122 leads Galle to 602/9d
Meanwhile, Galle scored a massive total of 602 for 9 wickets declared in their first innings, while Kandy were 52 for 1 wicket at the close of the second day in their NSL Four-Day match at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota yesterday.
Galle’s overnight batter, Nipun Dhananjaya, who scored 135 on the first day, added just two more runs before being dismissed by Chamika Gunasekara. Deputy skipper Ramesh Mendis, who came in at number 7, played a superb knock of 122 in 199 balls with 10 fours. This marked his 11th first-class century. Dilum Sudeera provided excellent support, scoring an unbeaten 80 in 164 balls with 7 fours, marking his career-best first-class knock. Ramesh and Dilum added 139 runs for the 9th wicket to build their innings.
Kandy had a poor start in their first innings. Opener Pathum Nissanka hit a boundary off the first ball he faced but was dismissed off the next ball by Dilshan Madushanka. Lahiru Udara (36) and Kamil Mishara (10) remained unbeaten, adding 48 runs for the second wicket at the close of the day.
Chief scores
* At Galle International cricket stadium. Colombo 374/ 7 continued and 386 all out (Dushan Hementha 31, Murvin Abhinash 2/93, Jeffrey Vandersay 6/86). Jaffna 227 for 7 wickets at close (Shevon Daniel 13, Ravindu Rasantha 13, Janith Liyanage 51, Anjala Bandara 84*, ,Chamika Karunaratne 29, Jeffrey Vandersay 18, Nishan Pieris 3/55)
* At Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium Hambantota. Galle (resumed at 336 /4) and 602 for 9 wickets declared Nipun Dhananjaya 137, Dunith Wellalage 38, Ramesh Mendis 122, Nisala Tharaka 13, Dilum Sudeera 80*, Dilshan Madushanka 21*, Chamindu Wickrmasinghe 3/90, Ravindu Fernando 2/121 , Nuwanidu Fernando 2/59 Kandy 52 for 1 wicket at close (Lahiru Udara 36*, Kamil Mishara 10*).
Bloomfield all but assured SLC Major Club League title
.Vandersay, Ravindu bowl NCC out for 312
.Udara fights lone battle with 145
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Bloomfield had one hand on the SLC Major Club League title when they dismissed NCC for 312 in reply to their massive total of 508, to gain a first innings lead of 196 on the third day of the four-day final played at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Bloomfield did not enforce the follow-on but decided to bat a second time and finished the day on two without loss, stretching the overall lead to 198 going into the fourth and final day today. If the match ends in a draw, which looks a more likely result at this stage, the team that gains the first innings lead will be declared the winner.
NCC, who began their reply yesterday, lost the wicket of Niroshan Dickwella early for seven in the second over, but Lahiru Udara and Pathum Nissanka put them on course with a second wicket stand of 91. Following Nissanka’s dismissal for 29, a further partnership of 111 developed between Udara and Kamil Mishara (40) that placed NCC in a strong position at 209-2.
But Sri Lanka leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who had taken the wicket of Nissanka, broke the NCC middle order batting by dismissing Mishara and skipper Sahan Arachchige (4) within the space of 11 balls, which proved a big setback.
When off-spinner Ravindu Fernando accounted for Udara’s wicket, trapping him lbw for 145, NCC had lost their last ray of hope. Udara had held the innings together, hitting 14 fours and 3 sixes in a spirited knock that lasted 191 balls.
There was hardly any resistance forthcoming from the rest of the batting, apart from Kavin Bandara’s 36 off 63 balls. NCC’s innings folded up quickly, with the last five wickets falling for 26 runs.
Vandersay (4/64) and Fernando (3/84) shared the spoils with seven wickets between them.
Scores:
Bloomfield 508 and 2-0 at close
NCC 312 (Lahiru Udara 145, Pathum Nissanka 29, Kamil Mishara 40, Kavin Bandara 36, Jeffrey Vandersay 4/64, Ravindu Fernando 3/84)
India, Sri Lanka, South Africa to play women’s ODI tri-series in April-May
Sri Lanka will host India and South Africa for a women’s ODI tri-series in April and May, the Sri Lanka Cricket [SLC] announced on Thursday. This tri-series was not part of the Future Tours Programme originally.
Each team will play the others twice – making it four matches per team – before the top two teams play the final. The series will start with hosts Sri Lanka taking on India. All of them will be day games, played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo from April 27 to May 11.
Sri Lanka are currently on a white-ball tour of New Zealand, while most of India’s players are participating in the WPL at home. Some South African players are also at the WPL. Until this tri-series was announced, South Africa’s next international assignment was a tour of the West Indies in June.
This tri-series will give the three teams extra prep time in the lead up to the ODI World Cup in October this year in India.
Sri Lanka are currently the Asia Cup champions, while South Africa had reached the semi-finals of the last ODI World Cup, in 2022, after knocking India out in the league stages. India are, however, the highest-ranked of the three at third – South Africa are fourth and Sri Lanka seventh – in the ICC ODI rankings.
Sri Lanka women’s tri-series schedule
April 27, Sri Lanka vs India
April 29, India vs South Africa
May 1, Sri Lanka vs South Africa
May 4, Sri Lanka vs India
May 6, South Africa vs India
May 8, Sri Lanka vs South Africa
May 11, final
India, Sri Lanka, South Africa to feature in women’s ODI tri-series in Colombo
India, Sri Lanka and South Africa are all set to feature in a women’s ODI tri-series, to be held entirely at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo from April 27 to May 11, said Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
The opening game of the tri-series will be played between Sri Lanka and India on April 27. Each team will play four games, with the top two sides to qualify for the final to be played on May 11. SLC added that all the matches will be played as day games.
The tri-series serves as welcome development for India to finetune its preparation for the 13th edition of the Women’s ODI World Cup, which they are slated to play on their home soil later this year. This will be the last time of the tournament having eight teams, with Australia entering the competition as defending champions.
India will host the Women’s ODI World Cup for the fourth time after 1978, 1997 and 2013. India will also be hosting its first global women’s ICC tournament since 2016 T20 World Cup, which ran parallelly with the men’s event.
India’s last ODI assignment was hosting Ireland for a three-match series at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, which they won 3-0 in January. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are currently touring New Zealand for a three-match ODI series, with the opening game being washed out due to rain.
Women’s ODI Tri-Series schedule:
April 27 - Sri Lanka vs India
April 29 - India vs South Africa
May 1 - Sri Lanka vs South Africa
May 4 - Sri Lanka vs India
May 6 - South Africa vs India
May 8 - Sri Lanka vs South Africa
May 11 – Final
