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Hong Kong edged past Sri Lanka 15-14 in a Pool A encounter of the 2026 Asia Rugby Men’s Championship at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo this evening (24).

Although Sri Lanka led 14-10 until the 79th minute of the pulsating encounter, Hong Kong's Billy Lung broke the hearts of the Sri Lankan fans and the players alike by scoring a try in the final move of the game. Dylan White missed the conversion, but the try was enough for Hong Kong to take home the victory in the opening game of the tournament.

Hong Kong opened the scoring in the 23rd minute of the game through a penalty put over by Dylan Mccann.

Sri Lanka, despite some promising moves failed to score in the opening 40 minutes of the game.

Hong Kong led 03-00 at lemons.

Hong Kong extended the lead with a try from Dean Rossouw in the 45th minute of the encounter while Dylan Mccann added two more points through a successful conversion.

Sri Lanka opened the scoring in the 48th minute of the game with Viduna Amanath crossing the line much to the jubilation of the home team supporters. Thenuka Nanayakkara was successful with the conversion.

Nanayakkara in the 57th minute of the game missed an opportunity to add three more points through a penalty.

However, Naveen Marasinghe scored a try in the 61st minute which was converted by Mursheed Zubair to give Sri Lanka the lead. After some end-to-end stuff, Hong Kong got the better of the Sri Lankans in the final minute of the game, leaving Lasindu Karunathilaka and the rest of the Tuskers to ponder about the missed opportunities.

Sri Lanka will next meet South Korea at the Namdong Asia Rugby Stadium in Incheon on June 13.

Two individuals have been arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting a murder committed by shooting in Dangedara, Galle on May 12, police stated.

The arrests were made by officers of the Walana Anti-Vice Unit, who detained the suspects yesterday, police noted.

During the arrest, police also seized 12 grams and 260 milligrams of heroin in possession of one of the suspects.

The suspects, aged 24 and 38, are residents of Girandurukotte and Mahawewa.

Police further stated that investigations are continuing.

In a related development, the Galle Divisional Crimes Investigation Unit also arrested another suspect connected to the same murder case yesterday.

The 22-year-old suspect, a resident of Habaraduwa, was taken into custody as investigations continue into the fatal shooting. 

The Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa has warned that Sri Lanka could face a renewed risk of bankruptcy and called on the present government to immediately pursue a successor agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), cautioning against what he described as “arrogance” in economic decision-making.

Addressing a meeting held at the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) headquarters to initiate discussions on forming the party’s teachers’ union, Opposition Leader Premadasa said that despite government claims that the country’s economic situation is stable, available data suggests otherwise.

He noted that while the President has stated that Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves stand at around US$7 billion, a portion of these reserves includes Chinese yuan holdings that are not freely usable, implying that the effective reserve position is lower than stated. He further stressed that international benchmarks require reserves sufficient to cover at least three months of imports—an indicator Sri Lanka is currently unable to meet.

With the country’s monthly import expenditure estimated at around US$2 billion, he said existing reserves fall short of the minimum threshold required for external stability.

Premadasa also warned that global developments, including ongoing tensions in the Middle East, could negatively affect Sri Lanka’s economy. He pointed out that although foreign remittances have risen to around US$8 billion, any escalation in conflict could threaten migrant employment and reduce inflows.

He added that countries such as India, which supported Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 economic crisis, may now have limited capacity to extend further assistance due to their own economic priorities. Premadasa also contrasted Sri Lanka’s public communication approach with India, stating that Indian leadership has been more transparent in informing citizens about economic conditions.

Referring to fuel prices, he noted that petrol, which reached around Rs. 470 during the 2022 crisis, is now approximately Rs. 410, urging the general public to understand such figures within the broader economic context.

The Opposition Leader further stated that Sri Lanka’s current IMF programme is expected to conclude in March 2027, warning that its expiry could affect the country’s credit ratings and overall financial stability. He said that foreign debt repayment obligations are projected to rise significantly by 2028, increasing pressure on foreign exchange reserves alongside import costs.

He emphasized the need for a successor IMF agreement, arguing that without adequate foreign currency inflows from exports and remittances, the country could again face a balance of payments crisis, particularly if global oil prices rise.

Premadasa urged the government to adopt what he described as a “people-centred IMF programme” and to ensure transparency in communicating economic realities to the public. He also criticized the administration for not convening an international donor conference during earlier economic difficulties, despite calls for such action.

The Opposition Leader concluded by urging authorities to move forward with a successor IMF arrangement without delay and to prioritize economic stability over political considerations.

At least 16 people have died of heatstroke in southern India so far this summer, officials said Sunday (May 24), as a heatwave grips swathes of the country following official health warnings.

India is no stranger to scorching summers but years of scientific research have found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense.

Temperatures in several cities across the South Asian country of 1.4 billion people have recently hovered well above 45°C.

The deaths were reported in the southern state of Telangana, with revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy calling for "statewide vigilance" to safeguard public health.

"The intensity of the heat has reached unprecedented levels" and officials in Telangana should issue advance warnings about precautions to be taken during heatwaves, Reddy's office said in a statement.

Health experts say that extreme heat can lead to dehydration that thickens the blood and, in particularly severe cases, causes organs to shut down.

The local government in Telangana advised the elderly, children and pregnant women not to venture out in daytime unless necessary.

Earlier this week, the India Meteorological Department predicted above-normal temperatures and intense heatwave conditions in several parts of the country.

Temperatures in the capital New Delhi and other nearby cities have stayed over 40°C throughout this week, sending power usage soaring to record levels.

In addition to the burning midday heat, overnight minimum temperatures are also high, giving people little respite.

India, the world's most populous nation, is the third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and relies heavily on burning coal for power generation.

It has committed to achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2070 - two decades after most of the industrialised West.

The country's highest officially recorded temperature is 51°C, measured at Phalodi in Rajasthan in 2016.

Source: AFP

– Agencies

A total of 12 state-of-the-art colposcopy machines have been introduced to government hospitals to improve the detection and treatment of cervical cancer, which ranks as the fifth most common cancer among women in Sri Lanka, according to the Ministry of Health.

The Health Ministry stated that a further six machines are scheduled to be installed within the coming month, further expanding diagnostic capacity across the island.

Each colposcopy unit is valued at Rs. 6 million, with over Rs. 72 million allocated by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media for the initial phase of the project. An additional allocation of more than Rs. 42 million has been set aside for the second phase.

According to the Ministry, the newly installed machines are already operational in major hospitals in Anuradhapura, Badulla, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kurunegala, the De Soysa Maternity Hospital, Kandy, Gampaha, Matara, Monaragala, Puttalam and Hambantota.

The remaining six machines are expected to be installed in teaching and district general hospitals in Ampara, Ragama, Kalutara, Kuliyapitiya, Matale and Vavuniya.

Once fully implemented, the total number of colposcopy machines in the state health system will rise to 33, significantly strengthening island-wide screening and treatment services.

Health authorities said the expansion aims to ensure equitable access to cervical cancer screening and early diagnosis services across all regions of the country.

A colposcopy is a diagnostic medical procedure used to examine the cervix and vagina for abnormal tissue changes. The device provides magnified, detailed imaging that assists clinicians in identifying precancerous lesions and other abnormalities for timely treatment.
Specialists in obstetrics, gynecology, and gynecologic oncology use the equipment as part of cervical cancer screening and management programmes.

Meanwhile, the National Cancer Control Programme noted that cervical cancer is largely preventable when detected early, as it is commonly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It remains a significant public health concern in Sri Lanka, with approximately 1,200 new cases diagnosed annually and around 180 deaths reported each year due to late detection or inadequate treatment.