World Wide News

Al Jazeera; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited troops on the front line in Ukraine’s war-torn northeastern Kharkiv region, his first official appearance outside the capital Kyiv and its nearby regions since the start of Russia’s invasion on February 24.

Zelenskyy’s office posted a video on Telegram of him wearing a bullet-proof vest and being shown heavily destroyed buildings in Kharkiv and its surroundings on Sunday.

Sri Lanka’s prime minister says the protesting youth groups will be invited to be a part of governance under political reforms he is proposing to solve the country’s political crisis triggered by an unprecedented economic collapse.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe went on national television on Sunday evening, offering protesters an olive branch: a greater say in how the country is administered.

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had spoke to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday (13) over the phone.

The Prime Minister had explained the current status of the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

He further said that Sri Lanka is willing to have closer cooperation with the United States of America.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had agreed to support Sri Lanka and consented to promote investments to Sri Lanka once the IMF negotiations are over.

The captain of the Gujarat team that won the 2022 Indian Premier League title has stated that he hopes to bring a World Cup to India in the future.

CA: Australia’s first tour of Sri Lanka in six years is set to proceed as planned while some players have expressed concern about the impact of travelling to a country in the midst of an economic crisis and political unrest.

Some players were said to have “a level of discomfort” about touring while Sri Lankans face significant fuel shortages, rolling power cuts, a desperate shortage of medicine and supplies and ballooning inflation.

But there is no suggestion any player will opt out of the tour, with the squad scheduled to fly out next week for the three-format tour that begins with T20 matches from June 7.

It will be Australia’s first visit to the island nation since 2016.

The Australian Cricketers’ Association CEO Todd Greenberg said some players had raised questions about the moral and ethical implications of the tour given the situation in Sri Lanka, but would tour.

“The players are very aware of the situation in Sri Lanka and it’s fair to say there is a level of discomfort around touring in conditions that contrast those faced by the people of Sri Lanka, such as rising food prices, power cuts and fuel rationing,” Greenberg told AAP.

“Ultimately our players want to continue to play cricket and will take direction, guidance and advice from CA about tour arrangements and planning.”

CA has remained steadfast that the tour would proceed.

Having recommitted to it a fortnight ago when protests first turned violent, despite Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) saying Australians should “reconsider” their need to travel to the country, CA has received further assurances that the tour was safe to go ahead.

A reconnaissance of the country by the governing body’s own head of security in April also gave the go ahead.

And there is a belief that by touring, Australia could help Sri Lanka’s economy with an expectation they would drive big crowds in the matches in Colombo, Pallekele and Galle.

Players are also buoyed by the fact Australia’s first tour to Pakistan in 24 years went off without any security dramas earlier this year, despite continued unrest in nearby areas.

The All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association said that about 2000 bakeries have been shut down due to the lack of diesel and gas required to operate the stoves.

The Chairman of All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association N.K Jayawardena said that about 100,000 jobs have been lost due to this