Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 17 runs in T20

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 17 runs in T20

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 17 runs in the one-off Twenty20 international in Pallekele.

The The 22-year-old aggressive opener, showed great signs for the Lankan limited over top order batting after legendary Sanath Jayasuriya’s era. Perera smashed 64 runs in 44 balls including four sixes over mid-wicket and fine-leg remembering Jayasuriya’s batting style and earned the man-of-the-match award.

Sri Lanka posted a challenging 198/5 before restricting Bangladesh to 181/7.
Mohammad Ashraful top-scored for Bangladesh with a 27-ball 43 while seamers Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera each bagged two wickets for Sri Lanka.
"I am happy about my first win as captain," said Sri Lanka T20 skipper Dinesh Chandimal.

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Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in final ODI

Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in final ODI

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets under the Duckworth and Lewis Method in the 3rd and final One Day International played at the Pallakele stadium.Sri Lanka scored 302/9 while Bangladesh were given a target of 183 in 27 overs in a rain affected game. This is the first time Bangledesh has beaten Sri Lanka in an ODI match in Sri Lanka.

Dilshan cracked 12 boundaries in 125 off 128 deliveries to record his 16th ODI hundred, and shared a 116-run opening partnership with Kushal Perera, who made 56, to lay a solid foundation. 

Dilshan made an unbeaten 113 in the first match.

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Jayantha Dharmadasa nominated for SLC presidency

Jayantha Dharmadasa nominated for SLC presidency

New  President of SLC

Businessman and former head of the Cricket Interim Committee Jayantha Dharmadasa has been nominated for the post of Sri Lanka Cricket President by Sri Lanka Cricket Executive Committee.


all three nominations for the post of Presidency of SLC was rejected due to various reasons.

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SLC restricts cricketers from playing in Tamil Nadu

SLC restricts cricketers from playing in Tamil Nadu

IPL 2013

Sri Lanka Cricket announced that it has told the cricketers playing in India's Premier League (IPL) not to play in Tamil Nadu following the decree by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minster Jayalalitha to not allow any Sri Lankans in the South Indian state.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha has written to the Indian prime minister seeking a restriction on Sri Lankan players from playing in the upcoming IPL matches in Chennai.

She has also asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India to prevent Sri Lankan staff and umpires to officiate matches to be played in the state,and Jayalalitha Jeyaram has urged the Indian Government to stop treating Sri Lanka as a "friendly nation".

The Indian Premier League which is scheduled to play on the 3rd of April will be held in 13 cities in India including Chennai in South India.

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Ashley de Silva appointed as acting CEO of SLC

Ashley de Silva appointed as acting CEO of SLC

New CEO of SLC

Former cricketer Ashley de Silva has been appointed as Acting CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket with effect from April 01, for sixth month, SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga confirmed. Ashley De Silva has been SLC’s director of cricket operations since 2008, and replaces Ajit Jayasekara, who retires at the end of the month.
He has also managed Sri Lanka’s Under-19 side on an assignment basis before 2008. He played as a wicketkeeper batsman for Colombo Cricket Club from 1984 to 1996, and appeared in three Tests and four ODIs for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's youth cricket coach, Carlton Bernadaus, has been appointed to the director of cricket operations role that de Silva vacated.

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No plans to shift the Indian Premier League (IPL)

No plans to shift the Indian Premier League (IPL)

IPL 2013

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has no plans to shift the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches out of Chennai despite threats by Tamil activists to disrupt games involving Sri Lankan players.

“As of now the matches will be held in Chennai. We have no plans to shift them out,” Ratnakar Shetty, chief administrative officer of the BCCI, said.

IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said the governing council was happy with the security situation in Chennai. “As of now the matches are not being moved out. But we are monitoring the situation,” Shukla said.

Thirteen Sri Lankan players are due to feature in this year's edition of the Indian Premier League scheduled to kick off on April 3.

The players are:

• Akila Dananjaya and Nuwan Kulasekara - Chennai Super Kings
• Jeevan Mendis and Mahela Jayawardene - Delhi Daredevils
• Sachithra Senanayake- Kolkata Knight Rider
• Lasith Malinga- Mumbai Indians
• Ajantha Mendis and Angelo Mathews - Pune Warriors
• Kusal Janith Perera-Rajasthan Royals
• Muttiah Muralitharan and Tillakaratne Dilshan- Royal Challengers
• Kumar Sangakkara and Thisara Perera- Sunrisers Hyderabad 

Mahela Jayawardene will be leading Daredevils and Kumar Sangakkara will be in charge of Sunrisers.

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President declares open Deyata Kirula National Exhibition 2013

President declares open Deyata Kirula National Exhibition
 2013

Deyata Kirula National Exhibition 2013

The 7th Deyata Kirula National Exhibition was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Ampara Hardy Technical Institute.The exhibition will be held from March 23 to 29.

The Deyata Kirula exhibition is being held in rural areas with the aim of developing those areas. It showcases products and services from over 1,000 government, private and international organizations, displays the past development activities in the country as well as future development projects.

 Speaking further Exhibition Committee Chairman Minister Siyambalapitiya urged all Sri Lankans to visit the exhibition which will be held over the next 7 days

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Muslim Council urges President publicly Condemn hate Campaign Of BBS

Muslim Council urges President publicly Condemn hate
Campaign Of BBS

Muslim Council writes to MR

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) has urged the President Mahinda Rajapaksa among several requests to take a decisive action by publicly condemning the hate campaign of the Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

In a letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa,signed by the Head of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka N.M. Ameen stated,these groups have been using the traditional media, social media, public meetings, posters, leaflets, and the circulation of rumors and misinformation insulting Muslims to inculcate a sense of fear and hatred among Sinhalese towards Muslims.

“More than anything else, we also demand our right to live without being targeted by groups whose reach at the grass roots levels and whose exposure through media is causing a wave of hate towards us among the Sinhalese,” the letter adds.

He has asked the President to instruct the police to take necessary action to stop incidents of harassment against minorities and their businesses.

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka has called on the President to consider several requests made by them in order to stem the rising tide of anti-Muslim sentiments in the country.

Further the Council requested the President to empower the police to respond to instances where such forces try to take the law into their own hands and ensure that the authorities take action against the media when they contribute to the propagation of hate sentiment.

It also urged the President to diffuse the tension around the halal issue by either empowering the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) to continue to offer the certification, or by mandating a government institution to engage in the process given that the certification is most necessary to maintain Sri Lanka's export markets.

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UNHRC adopts US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka

UNHRC adopts US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka

Resolution against Sri Lanka 

The US-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka brought to the UNHRC was passed by the member states following a vote, in Geneva.25 countries voted for the resolution, 18 against with 8 member nations abstaining from voting.

india’s envoy Dilip Sinha is reading out a diplomatic, yet strongly worded statement on Sri Lanka, saying that it was imperative that Sri Lanka implemented the recommendations of the LLRC and moved forward in accordance with the 13th amendment to its constitution.

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"No threat to the Sri Lankan players" Shukla said

No threat to the Sri Lankan players Shukla said

IPL 2013

Sri Lanka Cricket Players' Association expressed concerns over ongoing attacks against Sri Lankan nationals in Tamil Nadu,IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla said there is no threat to the players. “There is no team from Sri Lanka. There are individual players in few teams. We will see how to deal with it,” Shukla said.the mega-tournament(IPL), scheduled to commence from April 3rd.

At least two Buddhist monks came under attack in two separate incidents since Sunday. Around 11 Sri Lankan players including Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga are part of various IPL franchises. Some of them represent Chennai Super Kings who are based in the state where the recent anti-Sri Lankan attacks have happened.

“Kumar Sangakkara has no problem coming here. He has confirmed his participation,” said an official of the Sun Risers team. Sangakkara will, in fact, be captaining the side. Almost similar was the response of Mahela Jayawardene’s manager. He confirmed to Mirror that Jayawardene will be fit for the IPL. In fact, Jayawardene will be leading Delhi Daredevils.

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Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh to clinch series 1-0

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh to clinch series 1-0

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets to win the second and final Test at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Chasing a target of 160 Kumar Sangakkara and TM Dilshan put on 94 runs for second wicket.
Rangana Herath, the birthday boy picks up a 12-wicket haul in the match with a career-best 7-89 as Sri Lanka dismissed Bangladesh for 265 in their second innings.


Scores: 
Bangladesh 240 (Mominul Haque 64, R. Herath 5-68) and 265 (Tamim Iqbal 59, R. Herath 7-89) v Sri Lanka 346 (K. Sangakkara 139, D. Chandimal 102) and 160-3 (T. Dilshan 57, K. Sangakkara 55). 

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President Mahinda Rajapaksa declares open Mattala International Airport

President Mahinda Rajapaksa declares open
Mattala International Airport

Sri Lanka's second international airport

Mattala International Airport in Hambantota was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa a short while ago with The special SriLankan airlines flight carrying President Rajapaksa landed at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport.

Constructed with Chinese aid using local engineering knowledge, 209 million U.S dollars have been invested in the project. Built across 800 hectares of land, for the first phase of the airport Mattala boasts of a 3500 metre-long, 75 meter wide runway, built to accommodate the world's largest aircraft, the airbus A380 comfortably.

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, which can accommodate 10 aircraft at any given time, also has the tallest air traffic control tower in the country. International flights are scheduled to arrive at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport from today onwards.

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Over 200,000 people in Sri Lanka suffering from CKD

Over 200,000 people in Sri Lanka suffering from CKD

Ages of 15 to 70 are suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease

A team of Sri Lankan experts from the Kelaniya University have found during a study that over 200,000 people have currently been identified to be suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has mainly affected the people of the North Central, Eastern, North Western and Uva Provinces where most paddy lands are located.

The study conducted by a team led by Professor Priyani Paranagama(Kelaniya University,Sri Lanka) had reportedly found that at least two persons died everyday due to kidney failure.

Studies have reportedly found that in the Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Badulla districts around 15% of the total population (around 200,000) between the ages of 15 to 70 are suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD).

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"Mega Tourism Road Show" in Russia and Ukraine

"Mega Tourism Road Show" in Russia and Ukraine

"Mega Tourism Road Show"

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia with the support of the SLTPB has organized a three-week tourism promotional campaign, the "Mega Tourism Road Show" in Russia and Ukraine.

The road show will commence on March 17 with the activation of the shopping mall "Mega Dybenko" in St Petersburg followed by three week long Mega Road Show in Moscow and Kiev.

Major events conducted during the campaign are shopping mall activation, workshops on Sri Lankan tourism, cultural shows, photo exhibitions, press conferences and participation in world renowned travel and trade fairs; MITT 2013 in Moscow , UITT 2013 in Kiev and Ukrainian Travel Forum 2013, the SLTPB said.

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SLT PEO TV offers viewers over 80 channels to choose from

SLT Peo TV adds 10 new channels

10 new channels added to the current list

The next generation of home entertainment, SLT PEO TV, continues to cater to consumer preference by adding 10 new channels to their current listing. The 10 channels added are: Star One, Life OK, NGC Wild, NGC Music, Cartoon Network, POGO, Discovery Turbo, Discovery Science, Discovery Tamil and Baby TV. The new additions cater to the needs of entire family and will bring the best of local and international entertainment from around the world at a click of a button. 

SLT PEO TV, a brainchild of the country’s national telecommunications provider, Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT), has completely revolutionized traditional television viewing with a growing list of subscribers since its inception. Significantly, SLT PEO adds value to its offering by constantly differentiating in the form of new technology and applications, pre-empting and responding to customer needs.

In keeping with this mission the new channels brought to your home screens at minimum cost with Discovery Tamil and Baby TV being free value additions to the current portfolio. 

Commenting on the channel expansion, CEO of SLT PEO TV, Mr. Malraj Balapitiya, had this to say: “We are always looking for ways of meeting customer demands and offering our viewers premium channels at the best cost. The new channels will meet the viewing needs of all age groups, ensuring that there is always something of interest for everyone in the family.”

The new channel expansion will bring the best international channels to an already exciting channel listing with NGC Music that offers viewers 24 hours of music from around the world, NGC Wild (Nat Geo Wild) which is dedicated to providing an unique insight into the world of nature, the environment and the amazing creatures that inhabit it. Nat Geo Wild uses spectacular cinematography and compelling storytelling to take viewers on unforgettable journeys into the wild world. Documentary television programming will be brought to viewers with the addition of Discovery Turbo, Discovery Science and Discovery Tamil which focuses primarily on popular science, technology, innovations and history. The Discovery channels cater to the whole family with different areas of interest and are educational while being entertaining. The kids in the family are not forgotten as Baby TV brings high quality series that are designed to promote learning, activity and interaction in a fun environment. Baby TV’s 24 hour channel developed in 2003, reaches parents and children through major television platforms worldwide. The addition of Cartoon Network and POGO TV will bring children’s hit programmes such as Ben 10, Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry, M.A.D. (Music Art and Dance), etc. thereby adding action, fantasy, humour, arts and crafts and much more to the lives of kids across the country. 

  

SLT PEO TV offers its subscriber base of over 70,000 viewers an interactive television viewing experience with state of the art and  unlimited viewing capacity irrespective of the weather. Time-shift TV, Rewind TV, Video-on-demand, and SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) are key features that attract customers to SLT PEO TV who want control over 

what he or she views and when it is viewed. The SLT PEO TV puts the control back into the viewer’s hands - and allows the viewer to enjoy television viewing as per his or her desire. It’s as personalized as television viewing could ever get.

SLT PEO TV offers other benefits such as access to SLT Rainbow Pages, Astrology, , Electronic TV Guide, , Weather Reports, Railway Information and many other services. The pioneer IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) service in Sri Lanka, SLT PEO TV is the ultimate gateway for an all-in-one entertainment solution.

About PEO TV 

Sri Lanka Telecom PLC introduced the IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) technology to Sri Lanka under the brand name PEO TV (Personalized Entertainment Option). SLT PEO TV offers a host of services to its customers including Live TV Services, Time Shift TV, Rewind TV, Video on Demand, Subscription Video on Demand and many Interactive Applications & Services. SLT PEO TV currently owns an active subscriber base over 70,000 around the island and presently customers can enjoy over 80 prime local and international TV channels.

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Argentina's Bergoglio elected as new Pope

Argentina's Bergoglio elected as new Pope

Pope Francis

Cardinals from the around the world finally elected the new leader for the world's 1.2 billion Catholics, as white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney around 2 a.m. Thursday (Philippine time). Church bells at the St. Peter's Basilica rang to welcome the good news.

The 76-year-old moderate emerged smiling on to the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to cries of "Long live the pope!" as tens of thousands of pilgrims cheered, cried and applauded.

The first non-European pope in more than 1,200 years of Church history, Francis called for "brotherhood" among the world's 1.2 billion Catholics and prayed the Hail Mary together with the crowd in St Peter's Square.

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Sri Lanka-Bangladesh 1st test ends in draw

Sri Lanka-Bangladesh 1st test ends in draw

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

The opening Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh ended in a tame draw on the fifth and final day at the Galle International Stadium with Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim becoming the first Bangladesh player to make a double century.

Bangladesh, chasing an improbable 268-run victory target in the final session, finished at 70-1 in their second innings after Sri Lanka had declared at tea on 335-4. The tourists were bowled out for 638 in their first innings on Monday in reply to Sri Lanka's 570-4 declared. 

The second and final Test starts in Colombo on Saturday(16-03-2013). 

Scores: 
Sri Lanka 570-4 decl and 335-4 decl. (T. Dilshan 126, K Sangakkara 105, K Vithanage 59) v Bangladesh 638(Mushfiqur Rahim 200, Mohammad Ashraful 190, Nasir Hossain 100) and 70-1. 

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Halal labeling removed from local products in Sri Lanka

Halal labeling removed from local products in Sri Lanka

Issue free Halal

 certification for

 exports

All Lankan producers will no longer carry the Halal logo on their products unless requested by their foreign consumer, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said. Meanwhile it was stated that for export purposes companies could obtain the Halal certification free of charge from the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU).

"We are giving up what is important to us. We are making a sacrifice in the interest of peace and harmony," ACJU president Mufti Rizwe said.

Nationalist Buddhist monks(Bodu bala sena) and their supporters had launched a campaign  to boycott halal-slaughtered meat, as well as other products that carry a halal certificate.

The monks argue that Buddhists should not be forced to consume food that is prepared according to Islamic rites, saying it demonstrates the undue influence of Muslims in Sri Lanka.

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Sri Lankan government to offer discount packages at Mattala Airport

Sri Lankan government to offer discount packages
 at Mattala Airport

Sri Lanka's second international airport

The Sri Lankan government  is to offer discount packages to the passengers who use the Mattala Airport once it is opened on the 18th.

We encourage passengers to go to Mattala, if they are flying abroad from Hambantota or Batticaloa.the offers would be given to airlines as well as to the passengers,Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne said.

Flights that use the Mattala Airport would be provided with aviation fuel at a lower cost, he added.

The government also plans to send 60 percent of the export cargo from Mattala.The Minister pointed out that the concessions offered to international airlines to use the Mattala Airport would help them reduce ticket fares.

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Malaysia may vote against Sri Lanka UN Human Rights Council resolution

Malaysia may vote against Sri Lanka
 UN Human Rights Council resolution

Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC)

Suaram is pushing for Malaysia to vote in favour of a resolution against Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting because of worsening human rights conditions and attacks on mosques.


The meeting will take place in Geneva on March 22 “Malaysia can’t turn a blind eye to this. We have a vote at the UN Human Rights Council and we must vote in favour of a resolution against Sri Lanka,” said Suaram chairman K. Arumugam in a press statement today. The Sri Lanka Army had been involved in a civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) since 1983 until 2009 when the LTTE was defeated. Over 100,000 civilians mostly from the Tamil ethnic minority died during the conflict. Civilians still live in camps even though a reconciliation plan was announced by the government. UN Human Rights Council’s latest report last month stated that Sri Lanka has a poor record in reconciliation efforts, accountability and ongoing human rights violations. 

Arumugam also said that Malaysia should vote for the resolution against Sri Lanka due to increasing attacks on mosques . “After the Tamils, the Muslims are now the new targets of attack in Sri Lanka. Malaysia can’t be seen to support a country where Muslims are facing such a situation,” said Arumugam. Since the UN resolution last year there have been at least eight attacks on mosques and countless protests organised by Buddhist organisations. Malaysia, Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, chose to abstain from voting on a resolution against Sri Lanka last year despite protests held by Indians in Malaysia in support of the resolution.

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Asian Athletics Grand Prix shifted to Colombo

 Asian Athletics Grand Prix shifted to Colombo

Third leg of the Asian Grand Prix

With the Tamil Nadu government refusing to host Sri Lankan athletes on political grounds, the third leg of the Asian Grand Prix scheduled to be held in Chennai on May 16 has now been shifted to Colombo,Sri Lanka.
After the Tamil Nadu Government cancelled the prestigious Asian athletics championship scheduled to be held in Chennai from 3-7 July, the Asian Athletics Association has decided to hold the third leg of the Asian GP in Colombo on May 12.

On February 21, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa called off the championship, saying that Lankan athletes have no place in the state, after reports of the alleged brutal killing of slain LTTE chief V Prabhakaran`s son came out.

However, the Athletics Federation of India is still hopeful about find an alternate venue in the country.

The first two legs of the Asian GP would be held as scheduled earlier on May 5 in Bangkok and on May 8 at Chonburi in Thailand.

The events for this year`s series will be: Men: 100m, 400m, 5000m/3000m/5000m, 110m Hurdles, 4x100m Relay; Triple Jump, High Jump, Shot Put, Javelin Throw

Women: 100m, 400m, 800m, 100m Hurdles, 4x100m Relay, Long Jump, High Jump, Discus Throw, Javelin Throw

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SLT PEO TV launches Cartoon Network and POGO

SLT PEO TV launches Cartoon Network and POGO

Top kids’ channels in Sri Lanka

Pioneering IPTV services provider SLT PEO TV has taken kids entertainment a step further by introducing the two most popular children’s channels - Cartoon Network and POGO in Sri Lanka. The channels, scheduled to launch on the 6^th of March 2013, will bring children’s hit programmes such as Ben 10, Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry,M.A.D. (Music Art and Dance), etc. thereby adding action, fantasy, humour, arts and crafts and much more to the lives of kids across the country. Consumers will be able to watch both these channels in English.

SLT PEO TV launches Cartoon Network and POGO

Commenting on the new launch, Mr. Malraj Balapitiya - CEO of SLT VisionCom (Pvt) Ltd said,“We are excited to launch Cartoon Network and POGO - the two leading kids channels dedicated to young viewers. The launch is in response to our viewer preferences, which we at SLT PEO TV pay a lot of attention to. Every audience segment is important to us and we thrive in providing a varied choice to every single member of the family.”

Troy Lobo, Sr. Director Network & Content Distribution South Asia, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd.said, “Sri Lanka is a focus market for Turner and we are happy to announce this strategic move to strengthen our presence in Sri Lanka. The ever-evolving kids’ entertainment genre that holds a remarkably high potential in Sri Lanka led us to expand our partnership with SLT PEO TV for Cartoon Network and POGO.”

SLT PEO TV gives viewers the ideal platform to enjoy the best of local and international infotainment from around the world. They are committed to enhancing viewer experiences as well as meeting viewer demands with interactive personalized experiences. This launch will cater to younger audiences, enriching kid’s entertainment as well as providing them more programmes to choose from.

PeoTV

About PEO TV

Sri Lanka Telecom PLC introduced the IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) technology to Sri Lanka under the brand name PEO TV (Personalized Entertainment Option). SLT PEO TV offers a host of services to its customers including Live TV Services, Time Shift TV, Rewind TV, Video on Demand, Subscription Video on Demand and many Interactive Applications & Services. SLT PEO TV currently owns an active subscriber base over 70,000 around the island and presently customers can enjoy over 80 prime local and international TV channels. 

About Turner Asia Pacific 

Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, (Turner) creates and distributes award-winning, branded news and entertainment media environments on television, and other platforms around the Asia Pacific region and beyond. A leader in the Asian television and media business, we offer a total of 18 branded channels in nine languages reaching hundreds of millions of viewers in 31 countries via 29 feeds. Our brands include CNN International, CNNj, CNN, HLN, Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, Boomerang, Pogo, Toonami, TCM Turner Classic Movies, truTV, WB, HBO, HBO HITS, HBO DEFINED, QTV, MONDO TV and TABI CHANNEL. The Turner brands are available in interactive, non-linear formats, reflecting the company's innovative and industry-leading approach to delivering compelling content whenever, wherever. Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS), a Time Warner company. For more information, visit www.turnerasiapacific.com.

About Cartoon Network Asia Pacific

Cartoon Network, the number one kids’ channel in Asia Pacific, offers the best in original animated entertainment while drawing from the world’s most iconic cartoon library of Warner Bros., MGM and Hanna-Barbera titles. Original series showcased on Cartoon Network include the hit, award-winning series Ben 10, The Amazing World of Gumball, Regular Show and Adventure Time. Cartoon Network is available in 23 territories throughout Asia Pacific and is currently seen in more than 71 million cable homes. Online, Cartoon Network’s eight websites in the region reach nearly four million unique visitors a month with one million registered users, and eight million Facebook fans.

In Asia Pacific, Cartoon Network is owned and operated by Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner creates and distributes award-winning, branded news and entertainment media environments on television and other platforms. Turner is a leader in the Asian television and media business, offering a total of 18 branded channels in nine languages reaching hundreds of millions of viewers in 32 countries via 29 feeds.

About POGO

Catering to the generation of kids who bounce higher, play smarter, think louder and dream bigger, POGO is Turner's only-for-India kids’ entertainment network. The channel features animated and live action content spanning multiple genres from comedy and art to games and curiosity. POGO inspires more than 27 million kids across the country with its exciting and highly engaging content portfolio.

Over the years, POGO has steadily paved its way to becoming the number 1 kids’ entertainment channel in India.

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Sri Lanka middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera retires

Sri Lanka middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera retires

Sri Lanka Cricket

Sri Lanka middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday after selectors dropped him from the opening Test against Bangladesh which starts in Galle later this week.

“I was shocked with my omission from the squad against Bangladesh,” he told reporters, adding he had been told by the selectors that they may need him for the tour of Pakistan later this year.

“There was no point in waiting for nine months. I respect the decision of the selectors to go with young players and decided it was the right time for me to retire.”

Thilan Samaraweera began his cricket career at Ashoka Vidyalaya and moved to Ananda College. He played for the Colts Cricket Club before switching to the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC). 

“I started my career 12 years ago and I got my Test debut in 1998. I played under a lot of captains and trained under several international coaches,” he said. Responding to the questions raised by journalists he said that he never received a salary of Rs. 4 million a month, like some other cricketers were reported to be getting. 

“I have never got so much money as a salary. I think a wrong impression had been made to the public. Players play for the country and not for the money. There were few discussions with the board regarding the new contract. Players didn’t ask for anything new out of this contract, and the clauses were the same as what has been signed since 2009,” Mr. Samaraweera said.

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MP R Duminda arrested

MP R Duminda arrested

Duminda Silva Back to Sri Lanka

UPFA MP Duminda Silva has been remanded until March 14 in connection with the murder of presidential advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and three others.
R. Duminda Silva who was receiving treatment at a private hospital in Singapore arrived in the island yesterday morning
and was subsequently admitted to a private hospital in Colombo for further treatment and the Colombo additional magistrate visited him there and ordered that he be remanded.

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Sri Lanka bans ethanol imports

Sri Lanka bans ethanol imports

Ethyl Alcohol

Sri Lanka's Import and Export Control Department has banned the import of ethyl alcohol. Controller Import and Export D. S. P. Senaratne said, that action had been taken to stop the import of Ethanol, used in the production of alcoholic beverages, with effect from Feb. 28, 2013 under the provisions of Import and Export Act No 01 of 1969. Sri Lanka imported two million liters of ethanol last year and the ban is expected to save a large amount of foreign exchange.

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Sri Lanka announce squad for first Bangladesh Test

Sri Lanka announce squad for first Bangladesh Test

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was announced a strong Test squad for the first Test against Bangladesh beginning in Galle this Friday(08th march 2013).
Former captain Mahela Jayawardene has been ruled out due to injury, while Thilan Samaraweera has been left out. Kithruwan Vithanage, who scored an unbeaten 168 in the warm-up game against the visiting team in Matara, has earned a place in the squad.

Sri Lanka Squad: 

• Angelo Mathews (Capt)

• Dinesh Chandimal (V.Capt & W/C)

• T.M Dilshan, Dimuth Karunaratne

• Kumar Sangakkara

• Lahiru Thirimanna

• Shaminda Eranga

• Kusal Janith

• Jeewan Mendis

• Kithruwan Vithanage

• Ajantha Mendis

• Nuwan Kulasekara

• Chanaka Welagedara

• Suranga Lakmal

• Rangana Herath

• P.H.T Kaushal

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Sri Lankan RPD to renew national identity cards every 10 years

Registration of Persons Department 

Renewing Identity cards

The Sri Lankan Department of Registration of Persons is considering renewing National Identity Card (NIC)s every 10 years.Commissioner General of the Department, R.M.S.Sarath Kumara said. 

According to the requirements of the Persons Registration Act, currently there is no validation period for the NIC and an official date is not provided for the renewal of the NIC,Department of Registration of Persons has decided to issue the national identity cards electronically and the amendments are expected to facilitate it as well.

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