By Revatha S. SilvaThe protracted signing of the national player contracts might lead to a situation where certain senior players will opt to have a tour-by-tour agreement, it is learntThe protracted signing of the national cricket player contracts might lead to a situation where certain senior players will opt to have a tour-by-tour agreement where they can take part in various franchise leagues outside the country while only having to fulfil their national commitments intermittently. There, the players are allowed to take part in various T20 leagues outside of their country on the whims and fancies of the players. Our effort to contact senior players as well as the officials of the SLC Administrative Committee, which is currently overlooking national cricket administration, to find out their views on the development proved futile yesterday. Understandably, though, the concerns over the agreement on the contracts are more vigorously raised by the current seniors, not the newcomers. About 24 players have been considered for offering annual contracts at present by SLC in four tiers that are again divided into three categories each.

“We knew that they were going to withdraw. We knew that from the very beginning of the campaign. But we have always said we were going to win this election pretty easily,” he said. “I think the Sports Ministry will anyway conduct the elections according to their plans that they had before the withdrawal (of the rival camp). The Director General of Sports Amal Edirisooriya had recently announced that the SLC AGM will be held online virtually.

Spurs are now looking at replacement centre-forwards as the club is willing to consider the feelings of their key man. Kane has openly said in various interviews that he wants to compete for Europe’s top team trophies. Tottenham persuaded Kane to remain when he planned to leave last summer after Jose Mourinho had replaced Mauricio Pochettino earlier in the 2019-20 season. That’s all everyone should be focussing on.”Harry Kane’s contract with Spurs was signed ahead of the 2018 World Cup. The Italian Football Federation announced it three weeks before Italy play Turkey in Rome to open the European Championship.

The parliamentary debate on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill has been scheduled for May 19 and May 20. Thereby, the Port City Bill will be taken up for debate from 10.00 am – 5.30 pm today and will continue from 10.00 am – 4.30 pm tomorrow. On Tuesday (May 18), Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena presented the Supreme Court’s determination on the Colombo Port City Bill. It was later announced that the government has agreed with all determinations and amendments of the Supreme Court with regard to the Colombo Port City Bill. The Cabinet of Ministers meanwhile granted approval to incorporate the relevant amendments recommended by the Supreme Court.

Many big names have returned to Australia’s eight-match limited overs tour of the Caribbean in JulyAustralia have welcomed back their big names for the eight-match limited overs tour of the Caribbean, naming a strong extended 23-man squad for the July tour. Eight players that were missing from the T20 tour of New Zealand in March have all been included for the tour that will see Australia play five T20s in St. Lucia before three ODIs in Barbados. Labuschagne had cemented himself as a star in Australia’s one-day side and was said to be “deeply upset” at having to miss the tour due to “logistical complexities”. While he didn’t play in New Zealand it was a great opportunity for a young bowler to be around the group. Alongside Glenn Maxwell, the squad is bolstered by big-hitting all-rounders Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Marsh and Moises Henriques, with D’Arcy Short also included.

May 19, 2021 07:29 amSri Lanka Police has arrested 340 more persons within the last 24 hours for violating quarantine regulations, says DIG Ajith Rohana. They were taken into custody for failing to maintain social distancing and not wearing the face mask properly, the police spokesperson said further. As many as 10,413 arrests have been made by the police so far with regard to quarantine regulation violations. Meanwhile, 99 more people who failed to comply with the NIC last digit rule have been apprehended during a raid carried out in the Western Province from 3pm to 6pm.

England batsman Gilbert Jessop (1874-1955) was said to be a fiercer hitter than Viv Richards1874 – The original entertainer is born. Gilbert Jessop was arguably a fiercer hitter than Viv Richards, Ian Botham, Adam Gilchrist, or anyone else who has belted leather for a living. He was known as “The Croucher” for his unusual stance1929 – Cloudburst causes stampede in Yankee Stadium, New York. Two people crushed to death1981 – Jamie How, born today, made his ODI cricket debut for New Zealand on New Year’s Eve in 2005 with a half-century against Sri Lanka2007 – The 126th FA Cup Final is held, the first at the new Wembley Stadium. Chelsea defeat Manchester United 1-01961 – Birth of Lisa Wagner, a Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Halle of Famer

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 death toll passed the 1000 mark with 34 COVID-19 deaths confirmed on Tuesday (18). According to the Director General of Health Services these deaths had taken place between the 11th to the 18th of May and the total number of fatalities in Sri Lanka increased to 1,015. The deceased are from Ruwanwella, Mattakkuliya, Nawalapitiya, Puttlam, Kahatagasdigiliya, Alawathugoda, Pasyala, Mulatiyana, Pamunuwatte, Madapatha (02), Angulaugaha, Godakanda, Thalgaswala, Rathgama, Ratnapura, Udumula, Ragama, Athurugiriya, Kirindiwela, Dematagoda, Wellampitiya, Colombo 02, Kandapola, Pannala, Bandaragama (02), Ingiriya, Mahagama, Kappetipola, Ketaboola, Watinapaha, Mailapitiya

With 33,059 cases reported in the past 24 hours, Tamil Nadu is leading the state list. Maharashtra, which was leading the list for months reported the country’s fourth highest case count with 28,438 new infections. Andhra Pradesh reported 21,320 cases and was the fifth state to report over 20,000 cases. The case count was 19,428 for West Bengal and 10,321 for Odisha and no other state reported over 10,000 cases today. The six most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (5,433,506), Karnataka (2,272,374), Kerala (2,200,706), Uttar Pradesh (1,637,663), Tamil Nadu (1,664,350), and Delhi (1,398,391).

Working in line with the President's National Policy, "Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour" and following the UN Global Road Safety Week, the Ministry of Transport has alsodeclared this week 17-23 May 2021 as Road Safety Week to minimize road accidents in the country. Accordingly, the State Ministry of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry took steps yesterday (17) to establish "Sri LankaRoad Safety Volunteer Force" and its website www.safetyroad.lk was launched at the Department of Government Information under the patronage of State Minister DilumAmunugama. With the participation of the Minister of State, a practical presentation was given by the "Sri Lanka Road Safety Volunteer Force" at the SLTB Depot in Thalangama on how to actduring a road accident and how to remove an accident vehicle from the road promptly. Director of Traffic Administration and Road Safety SSP Indika Hapugoda, Lalith de Alwis, Secretary to the State Ministry, Heads of Departments of the Ministry of Transport,Dimantha Jayawardena, Chairman of SLACMA and Sam Chandrasoma, Head of I SERT were also present at the occasion.

The Supreme Court had determined that the Colombo Port City Commission Bill could become law if several provisions therein inconsistent with the Constitution were changed, Parliament was told yesterday. The provisions of clauses 3(6), 30 (3) second proviso, 55(2) and 58 (1) of the bill are inconsistent with Article 12 (1) of the constitution and could be validly passed only with the Special Majority provided for in Article 84 (2) of the constitution. The provisions of clauses 60 (c) and clause 60 (f) of the bill are inconsistent with Article 148 of the constitution and could be validly passed only with the Special Majority provided for in Article 84 (2). The provisions of clause 37 of the bill is inconsistent with Article 12 (1) and 14 (1) (g) of the constitution and could be validly passed only with the Special Majority provided for in Article 84 (2). The Supreme Court had determined that the rest of the clauses of the bill are not inconsistent with the constitution.

The PIM, in making this invaluable contribution ‘PIM Cases in Management’ has followed this arduous and genuine route. The PIM, in making this invaluable contribution ‘PIM Cases in Management’ has followed this arduous and genuine route. PIM Cases in Management’ in a Nutshell The following provides in a nutshell the 10 cases that have gone into the PIM case study publication. Every reputed institute of management studies, for that matter, has compiled and published cases in management mainly for internal consumption. Note:‘PIM Cases in Management’ could be purchased from the PIM by individuals or organizations wishing to make use of cases for their management studies, and those wishing to writecase narrations.

holidaysBy Dinitha RathnayakeOwing to the prevalent Covid-19 pandemic situation in the country, the Government has requested Buddhists islandwide to celebrate this year’s Vesak festival, which falls on 26 and 27 May within the confines of their homes. Speaking to The Morning, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Prof. Kapila Gunawardana said that the initial plan to celebrate the State Vesak Festival at the Nagadeepa Rajamaha Viharaya in Jaffna was cancelled due to the current situation of the country. “We request the people to celebrate the Vesak festival at home, considering the situation in the country.”Despite the challenges, people are still motivated – for livelihood and financial reasons – to create Vesak decorations for the festival. “We got a lot of complaints from people who create Vesak decorations for the festival. Last year’s Vesak festival too was celebrated in homes after the curfew in high-risk Districts was extended.

By Dinitha RathnayakeThough Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi has ordered that laboratory facilities in the country be increased, no discussion has been held towards achieving such, the Sri Lanka Association of Government Medical Laboratory Technologists (SLAGMLT) alleged. Speaking to The Morning, SLAGMLT President Ravi Kumudesh said that the Minister had given these orders on 12 May. However, according to Kumudesh, neither the Secretary to the Ministry of Health nor the relevant Deputy Director General had conducted a discussion with the relevant parties regarding Wanniarachchi’s orders. “This order was given 10 days ago during a meeting with the Minister after our proposal was presented. She also added that this order was made a few days ago after a discussion with the relevant parties.

By Pamodi WaravitaThe State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) yesterday (18) said that the final purchase agreement for 930,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech anti Covid-19 vaccine would most likely be signed with Pfizer Inc. today (19), with the stocks expected in the country by July. Dassanayake said that the final purchase agreement for 930,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from Belgium would most likely be signed today. Meanwhile, Dassanayake also confirmed that 185,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine would reach Sri Lanka by around 22 May. “We expect to receive another 400,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine next month as well,” said Dassanayake. However, Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is yet to be approved by the WHO for emergency use.