The island nation is still hurting from the drubbing by India in the Asia Cup final this month in which they were all out for just 50 runs
By Eastern EyeOct 05, 2023
WHEN Sri Lanka clinched a shock 1996 World Cup triumph, Dunith Wellalage and Matheesha Pathirana were not even born, but the rising stars head to India determined to repeat the victory.
Both aged 20, fast bowler Pathirana and all-rounder Wellalage are undeterred by facing childhood heroes at the tournament that opens on Thursday (5).
“We are looking forward to bringing the World Cup back to Sri Lanka,” Pathirana told AFP. “I want to win as many matches for Sri Lanka as I can.”
The island nation is still hurting from the drubbing by India in the Asia Cup final this month in which they were all out for just 50 runs.
But Wellalage is confident that with the preparations they have undergone, Sri Lanka can do well at the World Cup. “We have players with the experience of playing around the world,” he said. “We plan it match by match... I think we can give a good account of ourselves.”
Wellalage produced his best performance in ODIs in the Asia Cup match against India in Colombo on September 12, taking 5 for 40 although India went on to win by 41 runs.
“From my childhood, the player I adored is Virat Kohli,” he said. “To take his wicket gave me a lot of satisfaction. After I got his wicket, I couldn’t believe that I had done it.”
Wellalage approaches the game seemingly unruffled by the pressure on his young shoulders.
“If you handle the situations correctly, batting becomes easy,” Wellalage said, who captained Sri Lanka in the U19 World Cup last year, scoring a century and claiming 17 wickets.
“When I get out to the middle, I always stick to simple plans,” he said. “If there is a senior player at the other end, I try to support him.”
“Otherwise, I try and rotate the strike as much as possible, reducing risky shots and try and put the pressure back on the bowling side.”
Both young men credit their family for their swift rise.
Wellalage was handed his first bat aged five by his mother while his father, himself once a talented schoolboy cricketer, acted as bowler.
Pathirana’s car salesman father is a diehard cricket fan, who instilled an early love of the sport.
Nicknamed “Baby Malinga” for his slingy action that is reminiscent of veteran bowler and compatriot Lasith Malinga, Pathirana said he perfected his unusual swing by playing baseball.
“From my childhood days I never bowled with the usual bowling action”, he said.
Playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Chennai Super Kings brought Pathirana under the watchful eyes of skipper MS Dhoni.
“I learnt a lot from Dhoni. When I went there, I was a kid and no one knew me, but they trained and taught me several things,” he said.
“Now, I know how to perform in any T20 game, and how to balance my four overs in a match. Dhoni told me; if I keep my body away from injury, I can achieve a lot for the team and the country.”
Still, Pathirana acknowledges that he is yet to master his unique arm action and bowls more wides than he would want.
“The coaches don’t put pressure on me, they say that with my action, I will improve with age,” he said.
After playing for the Under-19s at the 2020 and 2022 World Cups, Pathirana was fast tracked by Sri Lanka Cricket. Head coach Chris Silverwood called Pathirana a hard worker with a “big future”.
Others have high praise for Wellalage too.
“He is a real star in the making who can do special things”, said former India cricketer-turned-commentator Dinesh Karthik.
Day one of the Kent County Show begins at Detling Showground near Maidstone
The Duchess of Edinburgh visits the event for the first time in 16 years
Organisers expect up to 70,000 visitors over the weekend
Farming and rural life are at the centre of the three-day programme
Highlights include live camel racing, equine sports, livestock displays and more
Kent County Show opens with royal visit
The Kent County Show returned to Detling near Maidstone on Friday, marking the start of a major three-day celebration of farming, food, and rural living. The event opened with a special visit from the Duchess of Edinburgh, who is attending for the first time in 16 years.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who grew up in Brenchley near Tunbridge Wells and serves as patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO), met with farmers, equine exhibitors, and local businesses on her tour of the showground.
Spotlight on farming and rural life
Organised by the Kent County Agricultural Society, the show brings together people from across the county to highlight the importance of agriculture and rural industries. Chairman Matthew Cullen said there was a "real buzz in the air" and called the royal visit a “great achievement”.
“There’s lots on offer,” he said. “From the livestock section with all the animals, young farmers, equine sports and food halls. We’ve also got something a little unusual this year – live camel racing. It isn’t what you’d normally get to see.”
Mr Cullen added that the event offers an opportunity for farmers to network and for the public to better understand how food is produced. “We all know Kent as the Garden of England, so for the rural and farming sector, it's a proud moment to come together and show off to the general public.”
Boost in interest following farming TV series
According to Mr Cullen, the farming sector has seen a noticeable spike in public interest, partly due to the popularity of the Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm. “It has brought farming to the forefront of people’s minds,” he said, noting a broader uptick in engagement at agricultural shows across the UK.
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Friday highlights at the showground
The opening day features a packed programme of events across multiple rings. Highlights include:
09:30 – Kent Youth Trials (Heritage Ring)
10:00 – Joseph’s Amazing Racing Pigs (Countryside Ring)
11:15 – Camel Racing (John D Wood & Co Astor Ring)
11:45 – Sheep Dog Display (Countryside Ring)
12:15 – Hypo Hounds Diabetic Assistance Dog Display (Countryside Ring)
13:15 – Heritage Parade (John D Wood & Co Astor Ring)
15:05 – British Novice Showjumping with 90cm Open (Standen Ring)
17:30 – Donkey In Hand Championship (Pam Nesfield Ring)
Performances from Rock Choir and various vehicle and dog displays are also scheduled throughout the day.
Visitor information and tickets
Attendance for the weekend is expected to range between 60,000 to 70,000 people, depending on the weather. Tickets are still available to book online or can be purchased at the gate.
Adult tickets: £22 (in advance)
Child tickets: £3 (in advance)
Under 5s: Free entry
The Kent County Show continues through the weekend with a wide range of attractions, from local produce to equestrian competitions and entertainment for all ages.
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The certificate was presented to Shah at the Welsh parliament by Anita Bailey, Home Office Director Windrush Unit.
A prominent Asian doctor has been recognised for his services to the community. Prof Hasmukh Shah has received a certificate of appreciation for his contribution and services to the United Kingdom.
The certificate was issued by Seema Malhotra MP, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, as part of the Windrush Cymru Elders and Race Council Cymru’s Windrush work in Wales.
It was presented to Shah at the Welsh parliament by Anita Bailey, Home Office Director Windrush Unit.
Shah is the Secretary of the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) in Wales.
In June 2018, he received the British Empire Medal (BEM) from Queen Elizabeth in her Birthday Honours List.
In 2024, the Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, presented Shah with a Lifetime Service Award for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the international Girmit conference in Cardiff.
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Katy Perry Orlando Bloom Choose Co Parenting Future After Nine Years
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have ended their nine-year on-off relationship, confirmed via reps.
The couple says the focus has now shifted to co-parenting their daughter, Daisy.
Perry got emotional on stage during the Australian leg of her tour amid split rumours.
Bloom posted cryptic quotes about loneliness and new beginnings.
After weeks of speculation, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have officially confirmed they are no longer together. The singer and actor, who have been in a high-profile relationship since 2016, released a joint statement through their representatives, saying they’ve “shifted” their relationship to focus on co-parenting their daughter. The pair, who got engaged in 2019 and welcomed daughter Daisy Dove Bloom in 2020, had reportedly been living increasingly separate lives in recent months.
Katy Perry Orlando Bloom Choose Co Parenting Future After Nine YearsGetty Images
Couple to continue as co-parents
In the statement released via their representatives, the couple acknowledged the growing media interest in their relationship, clarifying that they’ve been navigating a transition “over the past many months.” They added that their priority remains raising Daisy in a stable and loving environment. “They will continue to be seen together as a family,” the statement read, emphasising their commitment to respectful co-parenting.
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom focus on raising their daughter with love and respect Getty Images
Signs of distance: Solo appearances and emotional moments
Bloom recently attended Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding in Venice without Perry, fuelling breakup rumours. Meanwhile, Perry was wrapping up the Australian leg of her Lifetimes world tour. On stage in Adelaide, fans captured footage of the singer holding back tears as she thanked the audience, saying, “Thank you for always being there for me, Australia. It means the world,” before launching into Firework.
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Cryptic social media posts spark rumours
Adding to the speculation, Bloom shared a series of introspective posts on Instagram. One included a Buddha quote: “Each day is a new beginning. What we do today is what matters most.” Others included Carl Jung’s reflections on loneliness and human connection, which fans interpreted as hints at personal turmoil.
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom end their long running romance and plan to raise their daughter together as a family
Long road with no wedding in sight
Perry and Bloom first met at a Golden Globes after-party in 2016, got engaged three years later, and welcomed their child in 2020. A wedding had been planned in Japan but was postponed due to the pandemic and never rescheduled. Both have been married before: Perry to comedian Russell Brand and Bloom to model Miranda Kerr. This marks another high-profile chapter closed in both their personal lives.
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Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, India, on June 30, 2025.(Photo: Getty Images)
A SENIOR Indian minister has said that only the Dalai Lama and the organisation he has established have the authority to decide his successor as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The comment runs contrary to China’s long-standing position on the matter.
The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, said on Wednesday that after his death he would be reincarnated as the next spiritual leader, and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would be able to identify his successor. He had earlier said that the next Dalai Lama would be born outside China.
China has maintained that it has the right to approve the next Dalai Lama, citing a legacy from imperial times.
Rijiju: Only Dalai Lama or his institution can decide
India’s minister of parliamentary and minority affairs, Kiren Rijiju, made a rare comment on the issue on Thursday. He was speaking ahead of a planned visit to the Dalai Lama’s base in Dharamshala, where the spiritual leader will celebrate his 90th birthday on Sunday.
“No one has the right to interfere or decide who the successor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be,” Indian media quoted Rijiju as saying.
“Only he or his institution has the authority to make that decision. His followers believe that deeply. It’s important for disciples across the world that he decides his succession.”
China warns India over remarks
Following Rijiju’s comments, China’s foreign ministry on Friday warned India against interfering in its internal affairs and urged it to act with caution.
“We hope the Indian side will fully understand the highly sensitive nature of Tibet-related issues, recognise the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama,” spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference.
India’s foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment on the Dalai Lama’s succession plan.
Rijiju, who is a practising Buddhist, is expected to be joined by other Indian officials for the birthday celebrations in Dharamshala.
India is home to tens of thousands of Tibetan Buddhists, who are allowed to live, study and work freely. The Dalai Lama remains a respected figure in India, and foreign policy analysts say his presence gives India some diplomatic leverage in its relations with China.
Ties between the two countries deteriorated sharply after a deadly border clash in 2020 but are now slowly improving.
(With inputs from agencies)
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SSMB29 brings Priyanka Chopra back to Bollywood in high-stakes Rajamouli film
Priyanka Chopra Jonas confirms return to Indian cinema with SS Rajamouli’s SSMB29.
She calls the film not a comeback, but a “homecoming” to India and Bollywood.
SSMB29 stars Mahesh Babu, with Prithviraj Sukumaran rumoured to play the antagonist.
The film’s next shooting schedule will take place in Kenya; budget reportedly over £94 million (₹1,000 crore).
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is officially back on Indian screens after several years of focusing on international projects. But for the actor, who has spent the last decade working in Hollywood, this is more than just a comeback. In fact, it is a return to where it all began.
Priyanka Chopra calls 'SSMB29' her homecoming as she reunites with Indian cinemaGetty Images
She misses Hindi films, says filming in India feels like ‘home’
While promoting her Hollywood action-comedy Heads of State, Chopra opened up about her deep connection to Indian cinema. In a recent interview, she said, “I miss Hindi movies, and I miss India so much. I’m working in India this year, and I’m really excited about that.”
The actor, last seen in a Hindi film with The Sky Is Pink (2019), has since taken on major roles in international productions such as The White Tiger and Citadel. But SSMB29 will be her first major Indian theatrical release in years.
Priyanka Chopra teams up with SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu for mega film SSMB29Getty Images
SSMB29 to feature Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran
Directed by Baahubali and RRR filmmaker SS Rajamouli, SSMB29 is being made on an estimated budget of £94 million (₹1,000 crore), making it one of India’s costliest productions to date. The film stars Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu in the lead, and Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran is expected to play the antagonist. Rajamouli confirmed that casting is still underway, with only Mahesh Babu officially signed on at the time of the last public update.
Mahesh Babu’s dramatic new look for SSMB 29 sparks a social media frenzy as fans compare him to Mufasa and a Hollywood action hero Getty Images/ Twitter
A globe-trotting adventure with massive scale
The next phase of filming is scheduled in Kenya, with earlier shoots already completed in Hyderabad, including a Holi sequence. Priyanka shared behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram with a caption that read, “With the blessings of Shri Balaji, a new chapter begins.” According to sources, the film will bring together mythology with action and is being likened to an Indian take on Indiana Jones. Sets resembling Varanasi are being built in Ramoji Film City to bring the film’s narrative to life.
SS Rajamouli recreates Varanasi at Ramoji Film City for a key action sequence in SSMB29 Getty Images
Heads of State release and Priyanka’s busy international schedule
While fans await more details about SSMB29, Priyanka’s latest Hollywood project Heads of State premiered on 2 July on Prime Video. The film features her alongside Idris Elba and John Cena in a spy-action comedy set across multiple continents. For now, though, her Indian fans are thrilled to see her return to home turf, with SSMB29 already among the most anticipated releases in Indian cinema.