A 35-year-old professional Indian cricketer, Imran Patel, died of a massive cardiac arrest during a match in Pune Wednesday night. Patel had entered the pitch at Garware Stadium as opening batsman for the league match.

After a few overs he complained to the umpires of pain in his left arm and chest. The discussion was brief and he was walking back to the pavilion when he collapsed.

The events were caught on camera as the match was being streamed live. Patel was rushed to hospital where doctors declared him dead.

“He didn’t have history of any medical condition,” said Naseer Khan, another cricketer. “He was in good physical condition. In fact, he was an allrounder who loved the game. We’re all still in shock”  (Times of India)

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The Cyclonic Storm “FENGAL” over the Southwest Bay of Bengal was located about 420km north of Trincomalee and about 290km north of Kankasanthurai at 08.30 am today (30 Nov). 

It is likely to move west-northwestwards and cross North towards the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as a cyclonic storm around this evening. 

According to the Met Department, as the system is weakening while entering India, its influence on Sri Lanka’s weather is further reducing.  

However, per the weather forecast issued at 12.00 noon today, the skies will be cloudy and showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern Province.

Fairly heavy showers above 50 mm are likely in some places. Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and North-central provinces and Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places elsewhere on the island in the evening or night. 

Strong winds of 50-55 kmph can be expected at times over the Northern, North-central, Northwestern, Western, Central and Southern provinces. 

The public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Meanwhile, Naval and fishing communities are warned not to venture to the deep and shallow sea areas extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai until further notice and be vigilant in this regard in the other sea areas around the island. 

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas around the island. The sea areas extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai will be rough to very rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be fairly rough at times. 

Swell waves about 2.5–3.0 m in height may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Galle. Temporarily strong winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.

Winds will be North-westerly to South-westerly in the sea areas around the island. Wind speed will be 40-50 kmph in the sea areas around the island. Wind speed can increase up to 60-70 kmph at times in the sea areas extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai. (Newswire)

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Nine (09) suspects have been arrested in connection to stealing over Rs. 60 million worth of cash and gold jewellery from the house of a gem businessman in the Devaladeniya area in Laggala in November. 

The group had carried out the robbery after tying the hands and feet of the businessman, his wife, and his father by threatening them with a firearm, after which they had fled the area using the businessman’s car. 

Investigations launched by the Laggala Police led to the arrest of 09 suspects from the Mawathagama and Polpithigama areas yesterday. 

The Police had retrieved over Rs. 10 million in cash, 07 sovereigns of gold, 02 toy pistols, one knife, and the van used to carry out the robbery, from the suspects’ possession.

The arrested suspects are aged between 38 and 49 years and are residents of Wattegama, Sapugaskanda, Polpithigama, Kurunegala, Ratnapura, and Wilgamuwa. 

The Laggala Police is conducting further investigations. (Newswire) 

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The bodies of all children who were reported missing in the flood accident involving a tractor in Karaitivu, Ampara have been recovered, the Police said. 

According to the Police, the body of a 16-year-old student from Samanthurai had been retrieved this morning during a joint operation conducted by the Navy, Police, and area residents. 

The Police said that a total of 08 bodies, 06 children, the driver of the tractor, and a civilian, have been recovered as of today. 

A tractor carrying children and civilians from Nindavur to Samanthurai had toppled over while attempting to cross a bridge near the Karaitivu bus stand during floods. 

At the time of the incident, five among 11 students who had been on the tractor had been rescued, while the others have now been reported dead.

The assistant of the tractor, who was initially reported missing, was found alive after he surrendered to the Karaitivu Police, and was arrested for illegally transporting passengers using a tractor for financial gain, disregarding the warnings of the security forces, and endangering lives.

The acting Magistrate of Samanthurai also remanded the principal and a teacher of the Madrasa school over the tragic deaths of the students, while two others were released on bail.

Police investigations revealed that the principal had instructed the students to be transported home in a tractor, which was swept away by floodwaters. (Newswire)

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Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun has fulfilled a promise he made after spending $6.2m (£4.88m) on an artwork featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall – by eating the fruit.

At one of Hong Kong’s priciest hotels, Sun, 34, chomped down on the banana in front of dozens of journalists and influencers after giving a speech hailing the work as “iconic” and drew parallels between conceptual art and cryptocurrency.

“It’s much better than other bananas,” Sun, who was born in China, said after getting his first taste. “It’s really quite good.”

Titled Comedian, the conceptual work created by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in New York last week, with Sun among seven bidders.

Sun said he felt “disbelief” in the first 10 seconds after he won the bid, before realising “this could become something big”. In the 10 seconds after that, he decided he would eat the banana.

“Eating it at a press conference can also become a part of the artwork’s history,” he said on Friday.

The debut of the edible creation at the 2019 Art Basel show in Miami Beach sparked controversy and raised questions about whether it should be considered art – Cattelan’s stated aim.

On Friday, Sun compared conceptual art such as Comedian to NFT (non-fungible token) art and decentralised blockchain technology. “Most of its objects and ideas exist as (intellectual property) and on the internet, as opposed to something physical,” he said.

Sun also this week disclosed a $30m investment in World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency project backed by the US president-elect, Donald Trump.

Sun was last year charged by the US Securities and Exchange Commission with offering and selling unregistered securities in relation to his crypto project Tron. The case is ongoing.

At a function room at the Peninsula hotel in Hong Kong, two men dressed as auction house staff stood in front of a featureless wall with the yellow banana offering the only splash of colour.

Sun said he only recently decided to bid for the artwork, adding he had “dumb questions” such as whether the banana had decayed and how to value the work.

The banana was reportedly bought for less than a dollar from a fruit stall on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, staffed by Shah Alam, who works for $12 an hour.

When Alam learned from a New York Times reporter that the banana was resold as artwork for millions of dollars, he cried. “I am a poor man,” Alam, 74, told the paper. “I have never had this kind of money; I have never seen this kind of money.”

Sun told the New York Times that Alam’s response was “poignant”.

Sun later pledged to buy 100,000 bananas from Alam’s stall and said the bananas would be distributed worldwide as “a celebration of the beautiful connection between everyday life and art”. Sun said he hoped to visit Alam’s stall one day in person.

The artwork owner is given a certificate of authenticity that it was created by Cattelan, as well as instructions about how to replace the fruit when it turned bad.

As well as the now-eaten banana, Sun reportedly bought the rights to recreate the artwork by duct-taping any banana to a wall and calling it Comedian. Sun has not yet said if he plans to do so.

Attenders at Friday’s event each received a roll of duct tape and a banana as a souvenir. “Everyone has a banana to eat,” Sun said. (The Guardian)

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The deadline for submitting income tax returns for the assessment year 2023/2024 ends today (30 Nov).

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) said that the reports of income tax returns will only be accepted via its online system.

The IRD further said that those who require technical support can acquire the necessary help from the head office, and regional and city offices, which will remain open today. 

The Bank of Ceylon branch located at the head office and Jawatte office premises of the Inland Revenue Department will also be kept open for income tax payments, it added. (Newswire)

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The examination papers of the postponed GCE Advanced Level Examination have been retrieved from certain areas affected by adverse weather in the Northern Province with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

According to the Air Force, the exam papers were retrieved from the examination centres in Delft Island, Welladi, and Nagadeepa in the North and handed over to the Northern Province Department of Education. 

The exam papers were retrieved using a Bell 212 helicopter of the Sri Lanka Air Force yesterday. 

The GCE Advanced Level Examination which commenced on 25 November, was postponed for three days from 27 November.

However, taking into consideration the adverse weather conditions across Sri Lanka, the Department of Examinations decided to postpone the exam until 03 December.

The GCE Advanced Level Examination will recommence on 04 December 2024, with the department having announced a revised schedule for the postponed exams.

Accordingly, the revised schedule for missed subjects is as follows;

• Subjects not held on 27th November – Rescheduled for 21 December 2024
• Subjects not held on 28th November – Rescheduled for 23 December 2024
• Subjects not held on 29th November – Rescheduled for 27 December 2024
• Subjects not held on 30th November – Rescheduled for 28 December 2024
• Subjects not held on 02nd December – Rescheduled for 30 December 2024
• Subjects not held on 03rd December – Rescheduled for 31 December 2024 (Newswire)

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The Central Environment Authority (CEA) warns that air quality in certain areas may worsen today due to the influence of Cyclonic Storm “FENGAL” over the Southwest Bay of Bengal.

The CEA said as such, the air quality index may remain between 92 and 120 in several areas throughout the day. 

The Colombo, Jaffna, Vavuniya, Kurunegala, Kandy, Kegalle, Nuwara-Eliya, Ratnapura, Puttalam, Badulla, Trincomalee, Mullaitivi, Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura districts are expected to see a drop in air quality today. 

The drop in air quality is being caused due to the entry of air pollutants from the North and Transboundary air pollution caused as a result of adverse weather conditions.

As there may be an increase of dust particles in the atmosphere, which is harmful to humans, people with respiratory illnesses are advised to be vigilant and seek medical attention if affected. (Newswire)

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• Situation summary:

The death toll due to inclement weather conditions across Sri Lanka has increased to 15 persons, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

As of 06.00 am today, 10 of the deaths have been reported from Ampara, and one each from Badulla, Puttalam, Trincomalee, and Vavuniya.

The DMC states that 20 persons were reported injured and one person is reported missing.

A total of 475,000 persons from 141,268 families were severely affected due to adverse weather experienced across 24 districts of Sri Lanka. 

The DMC states 32,361 persons from 9,937 families are currently placed in 266 safety shelters, while 106,512 persons from 42,565 families have been relocated to the houses of relatives.

A total of 101 houses have been completely destroyed, while 2,591 houses have been partially damaged due to bad weather. 

• Landslide warnings:

The Landslide warnings issued to 09 districts have been further extended until 04.00 pm today.

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings to the Badulla, Colombo, Gampaha, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura districts. 

Amber and yellow alerts have been issued to some areas of the 09 districts. 

• Flood warnings;

The sluice gates of several reservoirs in the Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Vavuniya, Kandy, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, and Monaragala districts have been opened due to heavy rainfall.

Accordingly, flood warnings have been issued due to the rise in water levels of several rivers, with people in low-lying areas being requested to be vigilant of floods.

Flood warnings have been issued due to a rise in the water levels of Mundeni Aru, Deduru Oya, Mahaweli River, Heda Oya, Malwathu Oya, and Kala Oya. 

• Tri-forces operations;

A total of 3183 tri-force personnel have been deployed to address disaster situations across the country.

The Sri Lanka Army has deployed 2080 officers, Sri Lanka Navy 520, Sri Lanka Air Force 540, and the Sri Lanka Police 43 officers.

• Emergency hotlines:

The DMC urges those who require assistance due to adverse weather conditions to contact its emergency hotline 117 or other hotlines 0112 136 222 / 0112 670 002.

People can contact the 24-hour Police operation centre via the hotlines 011 – 2027148, 011 – 2472757, 011 – 2430912, 011 – 2013051, or 107 (Tamil-speaking) or via the email disaster.ops@police.gov.lk (Newswire)  

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The Department of Meteorology has issued a ‘Red Alert’ for the land, and deep and shallow sea areas around Sri Lanka due to the influence of Cyclonic Storm “FENGAL”.

Cyclonic Storm “FENGAL” over Southwest Bay of Bengal, located about 280km Northeast of Kankasanthurai and 360 km north of Trincomalee last night, is likely to move west-northwestwards and cross north to the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as a cyclonic storm this afternoon.

According to the Met Department, as such, the influence of this system on Sri Lanka’s weather is gradually reducing. 

However, the deep and shallow sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Puttalam via Kankasanthurai will be rough to very rough as the wind speed can increase up to 60- 70 kmph at times and very heavy showers or thundershowers are likely in some places in said areas. 

Swell waves about 2.5-3.0 m in height may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Kankasanthurai.

Near-shore sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Kankasanthurai may experience surges due to swell waves.  

Naval and fishing communities are warned not to venture to the deep and shallow sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Puttalam via Kankasanthurai until further notice. (Newswire)

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WEATHER FORECAST FOR 30 NOVEMBER 2024

Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 30 November 2024

The Cyclonic Storm “FENGAL” [pronounced as FEINJAL] over Southwest Bay of Bengal was located about 360 km north of Trincomalee and 280km Northeast of Kankasanthurai at 11.30p.m. 29th November 2024. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts as a cyclonic storm around 30th November, afternoon. Influence of this system on the island’s weather is gradually reducing.

Skies will be cloudy and showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern province and in Trincomalee district. Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in Northern province.

Showers will occur at times in Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-eliya, Galle and Matara districts. Several spells of showers will occur in Western, North-western and North-central provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places elsewhere of the island in the evening or night.

Strong winds of (50-55) kmph can be expected at times over Northern, North-central, North western, Eastern, Central and Southern provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

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UK MPs have taken a historic step towards legalising assisted dying in England and Wales, by voting in favour of a bill that would support terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of six months or less to end their lives.

After five hours of intense and heartfelt debate, in which some members of parliament were brought to tears, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was passed in the House of Commons with 330 voting in favour and 275 against

Under the terms of the bill, a terminally ill adult with a life expectancy of six months or less could seek assistance to end their life, provided that two doctors and a High Court judge approve their decision.

The bill has some way to go before it becomes law, with more than 200 amendments already tabled in the Commons and the House of Lords, meaning it will be subject to intense scrutiny. Added to that, a number of MPs only gave qualified support at the second reading, with the proviso that they would not vote for it without significant amendment at its third reading.

Read more

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/assisted-dying-bill-vote-result-mps-b2656018.html

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Sri Lankan born Professor Gishan Dissanaike has been named as the new Dean of Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, following a competitive global recruitment search, and will take up the appointment of Dean on 1 December, 2024.

This is the first time in the last 30 years that the University has selected an internal candidate to be Dean of the Business School.

Professor Dissanaike is a financial economist and holds the Adam Smith Professorship of Corporate Governance at the University of Cambridge. He became the Interim Dean of Cambridge Judge in July 2023.

He gained his BA from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, before coming up to Cambridge to the Faculty of Economics and Trinity College, where he completed an MPhil and a PhD in Economics.

Professor Dissanaike has also held a visiting faculty appointment at Cornell University and has been consulted by several international corporations, investment banks, and regulatory agencies. 

As a faculty member at Cambridge Judge for 30 years, he has a deep understanding of the school’s culture, values, and operations. Gishan has taught generations of students on the MBA, Master of Finance and MPhil in Finance programmes and has developed strong connections with the alumni community of both the Business School and the wider University.

Professor Dissanaike said: “It will be a privilege to serve as the first home-grown dean of Cambridge Judge Business School, and to serve the institution that has been such an inspiration, as well as my academic home for several decades. I look forward to nurturing the relationships, ambitions and conversations that keep the Business School – and indeed Cambridge – at the top of its game, in terms of impact, research, global economic benefit and philanthropic endeavour. Cambridge Judge Business School will focus on responsible business, innovation, and leadership in a turbulent world, and continue to solve real-world problems that have a lasting impact on society.” (Newswire)

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35 MPs have already submitted requests for official residences at the Madiwela Housing Complex, Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera said.

Speaking to media, the Secretary-General that there will be no changes to the privileges currently granted to Members of Parliament.

Rohanadeera explained that 25-30 houses previously returned by former MPs are currently being renovated to provide residences for new MPs, adding that these official residences will be allocated based on priority.

Out of a total 108 official residences, 80 are designated for members of the ruling party, while 28 are reserved for opposition members.

MPs whose homes are located more than 40 kilometers from the Parliament complex are eligible to request official residences at the Madiwela Housing Complex. (Newswire)

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Water supply has been disrupted in some parts of Colombo today, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced.

According to the water board, a water cut is currently in effect in the areas of Colombo 12, 13, 14, and 15.

The water board further said the water supply will remain disrupted until 06.00 am tomorrow (30 Nov).

The water cut has been enforced due to urgent maintenance work, the water board added. (Newswire) 

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The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) says the air quality index has risen in several areas of Sri Lanka, including Colombo.

CEA Media Spokesman Prof. Ajith Gunawardena said the prevalent gloomy and dark weather is a result of the inclement weather experienced across the country.

Pointing out that the air quality index of Sri Lanka is generally below the value of 50, he said, however, due to the recent heavy rains, an increase in the index is noted, with weather similar to dust or fog seen in many parts of the nation.

Prof. Ajith Gunawardena revealed that this was a result of the entry of air pollutants from the North and Transboundary air pollution caused due to adverse weather conditions.

Due to this situation, the air quality index has increased to 180 in the Anuradhapura, Jaffna, and Colombo areas, said Prof. Ajith Gunwardena, adding that, however, the air quality index is expected to improve from tomorrow (30 Nov).

Stating that the increase of dust particles in the atmosphere is harmful to humans, he advised people with respiratory illnesses to be vigilant and seek medical attention if affected. (Newswire)

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Applications have been called for the appointment of members to the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), according to a Parliament statement.

Applications are called in terms of the provisions of the Office on Missing Persons (Establishment, Administration and Discharge of Functions) Act, No. 14 of 2016 (as amended).

The applications should be prepared in accordance with the information sheet which is available on the Parliament Website www.parliament.lk with a quick link named Appointment of the members to OMP.

The duly completed applications should be sent to; the Secretary-General to the Constitutional Council, Constitutional Council – Office, Parliament of Sri Lanka, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte.

Applicants are urged to send their filled applications on or before 09 December 2024 by registered post or by email to constitutionalcouncil@parliament.lk. 

‘Appointment of Members to the OMP’ should be indicated on the top left-hand corner of the envelope, or as the subject of the email. 

Application Link: https://www.parliament.lk/en/secretariat/advertisements/view/319 (Newswire)

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The overall rate of inflation, measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) on a year-on-year basis, decreased to (-2.1)% in November 2024, the Department of Census and Statistics reported.

According to the department, the decrease was compared to the (-0.8)% recorded in October 2024. 

Meanwhile, food inflation has also come down in November to 0.6% from October’s 1%.

Non-food-Inflation also dropped to (-3.3)% in the month, compared to the (-1.6)% reported in October.

Full report: http://www.statistics.gov.lk/WebReleases/CCPI_20241129E (Newswire)

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The death toll due to inclement weather in Sri Lanka has risen to 14 persons, as of 12.00 noon today, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported.

According to the DMC, 09 of the deaths have been reported from the Ampara District, two from the Putalam District, and one each from the Badulla, Trincomalee, and Vavuniya Districts. 

The DMC further stated that 02 persons were reported missing from the Ampara District, while 20 persons were reported injured due to various disaster incidents.

As of 12.00 noon today, a total of 442,185 persons from 132,289 families have been severely affected due to inclement weather experienced across 24 districts of Sri Lanka.

The DMC states that 38,594 persons from 12,334 are currently placed in 341 safety shelters, while 115,628 persons from 45,415 families are placed in relatives’ houses. (Newswire)

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