Category: Daily Financial Times

Ticket counters for the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 are now open for the public to purchase tickets for the country’s topmost domestic T20 League.

The sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) will be held from 17 July to 8 August. The tournament will get underway with the inaugural match between Jaffna and Galle at the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) grounds commencing at 7.30 p.m. The opening day (17 July) will feature a spectacular drone show before the commencement of the inaugural game.

Ticket counter locations and opening times are as follows:

Sri Lanka Cricket counter SLC headquarters at Maitland Place from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm

RPICS, Colombo Gate Number 1 from 9.30 am to 5.30pm

Cinnamon Grand Hotel Main Entry from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm

The counters will be open on all days until the completion of the tournament.

Tickets can also be purchased via BookMyShow.

Ticket Prices (SLR)

SSC, Colombo: 300, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500

RDICS, Dambulla: 300, 500, 1000, 3000

PICS, Pallekele: 400, 1000, 2500, 5000

RPICS, Colombo: 500, 1000, 1500, 2500, 5000, 7500

Connect to Care (CTC) Consulting announced a significant step in its institutional evolution, with its official registration as a Voluntary Social Services/Non-Governmental Organisation under the Voluntary Social Services Organisations (Registration and Supervision) Act No. 31 of 1980, as amended.

The registration marks a major milestone for Connect to Care Consulting as it strengthens its mandate, governance and institutional capacity to support Sri Lanka’s development priorities through practical implementation, cross-sector collaboration and measurable impact.

As part of this transition, Connect to Care Consulting has also completed a comprehensive governance and institutional strengthening programme, aimed at reinforcing transparency, accountability, financial stewardship and programme delivery across the organisation.

Operating at the intersection of government, development partners, academia, civil society and the private sector, Connect to Care Consulting supports institutions in translating policy priorities into practical programmes and sustainable outcomes. Its work spans key national development areas including Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), digital agriculture, health innovation, nutrition, institutional strengthening and public sector transformation.

The organisation’s strengthened structure comes at a time when Sri Lanka is increasingly focused on effective implementation, institutional reform, digital transformation and evidence-based development delivery. Through its expanded governance framework and upgraded operating systems, Connect to Care Consulting is positioning itself as a trusted implementation and coordination platform for complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.

As part of its governance transformation, Connect to Care Consulting has appointed Rehan Anthonis, Anjali Nayyar and Dhamitha Cooke to its Board. Rehan Anthonis, Senior Director – People Operations at Sysco LABS Sri Lanka, brings over 25 years of leadership experience in organisational transformation, talent strategy, people operations and corporate governance across multinational organisations.

Anjali Nayyar, Executive Vice President at Global Health Strategies, brings more than two decades of international leadership experience across Asia and Africa, with deep expertise in public health, policy, strategic advocacy, partnerships and programme leadership.

Dhamitha Cooke, a senior finance and business transformation leader with over 45 years of experience across banking, aviation, capital markets and diversified conglomerates, strengthens the organisation’s expertise in governance, financial stewardship and institutional transformation.

Further reinforcing its governance framework, Laksiri Abeysekera has been appointed Strategic Advisor – Governance, Institutional Strengthening and Financial Management. In this role, he will provide strategic oversight across governance, financial management, organisational systems, risk management and institutional effectiveness. Laksiri is a senior finance and operations professional with over 40 years of international experience in strategic financial management, corporate governance, and institutional development. His career spans leadership roles across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, including at two CGIAR Centres-the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF)-as well as the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA).

In addition to these appointments, Connect to Care Chairman Chandita Samaranayake and Lakshi Nethicumara will remain as board members. Together, the strengthened Board and advisory structure bring independent oversight, strategic leadership and sectoral depth to support Connect to Care Consulting’s next phase of growth and national impact.

To further strengthen transparency and accountability, Connect to Care Consulting has invested in enterprise-grade management systems across finance, governance and programme delivery. The organisation has implemented Microsoft Dynamics to enhance financial management, donor accountability and financial transparency, while Asana has been adopted as its enterprise programme management platform to track deliverables, monitor outcomes and strengthen institutional accountability.

These systems provide real-time visibility across programme implementation and financial performance, enabling stronger governance, better coordination and more measurable results.

‘This milestone represents much more than a change in institutional status. It reflects our commitment to building a stronger, more accountable and more trusted organisation that can help deliver complex, high-impact development initiatives,’ said Emaali Gunasekara, Chief Executive Officer of Connect to Care Consulting. ‘By strengthening our governance, expanding our leadership, modernising our systems and reinforcing accountability, we are investing in the institutional capacity needed to translate national priorities into sustainable outcomes for the people of Sri Lanka.’

Connect to Care Consulting plays a bridging role between strategy and implementation, helping governments and partners design practical programmes, align stakeholders, coordinate delivery and strengthen the systems required to sustain long-term change. Its approach is focused on ensuring that national priorities do not remain at policy level, but are converted into tangible outcomes that improve lives and strengthen institutions.

With its NGO registration, strengthened governance framework and enhanced management systems, Connect to Care Consulting commits to serve as a platform that connects strategy with execution, partnerships with action, and innovation with measurable impact. Furthermore, CTC is establishing a global Advisory Panel and expert network to support Sri Lanka’s national priorities through the ‘GiveBack’ initiative, enabling accomplished Sri Lankans at home and abroad to contribute their expertise towards nation-building.

The Lanka Premier League (LPL), Sri Lanka’s premier franchise T20 competition, has officially announced FanCode as its digital streaming partner in India for the upcoming sixth edition.

Scheduled to run from 17 July to 8 August, the partnership will bring comprehensive live coverage of all matches to millions of cricket fans across the Indian subcontinent.

Organised by Sri Lanka Cricket, with commercial and event rights held by Innovative Production Group FZ, LLC (IPG), the LPL has firmly established itself as one of South Asia’s leading franchise T20 tournaments. Building on a massive 65% increase in audience consumption since last season, this partnership with FanCode aims to further deepen fan engagement and expand the tournament’s digital footprint in India.

IPG Group Founder and CEO and official rights holder of the Lanka Premier League Anil Mohan Sankhdhar said: ‘The Indian subcontinent is home to some of the most passionate cricket fans in the world, and expanding our digital footprint here is a major priority for the Lanka Premier League. By joining forces with FanCode, we are guaranteeing a premium, accessible, and highly interactive viewing experience. Their digital-first platform perfectly aligns with our vision to bring millions of fans seamlessly closer to the high-octane T20 action and elite international talent that defines our sixth season.’

FanCode Co-Founder Prasana Krishnan added: ‘We are delighted to continue our partnership with Lanka Premier League. It has emerged as a highly competitive tournament on the global cricket calendar and further strengthens FanCode’s cricket portfolio. With a mix of Sri Lankan stars and international marquee players, LPL 2026 is set to capture the imagination of Indian cricket fans and we are delighted to bring them all the action LIVE on FanCode.’

The 2026 edition promises a stellar lineup featuring 62 top Sri Lankan cricketers alongside 32 prominent international stars spread across five franchises: Colombo Kaps, Dambulla Sixers, Galle Gallants, Kandy Royals, and the defending champions, SC Jaffna Kings. Indian fans will have a special reason to tune in, with experienced India all-rounder Vijay Shankar set to make his highly anticipated LPL debut for the Kandy Royals. Other marquee global names include Moeen Ali, Jimmy Neesham, Shakib Al Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Angelo Mathews.

The five franchises in the 2026 edition will be competing in a double round-robin format followed by high-stakes playoffs. With robust player draft registrations from 21 countries and unprecedented digital access across India through FanCode, this season marks a significant milestone in the global expansion and commercialisation of the league.

SOCIAL MEDIA personality, Scanty, has paid glowing tribute to veteran Ghanaian gospel musicians, describing them as the ‘voices that raised a generation’ through their authenticity and dedication.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Scanty praised the likes of Esther Smith, Mama Esther, Hannah Marfo, and Obaapa Christy for their impactful music, which he said helped instill the spirit of holiness in listeners.

According to him, the gospel greats of the past produced the best worship and praise songs that shaped generations due to their commitment to the gospel. ‘I really want to attend a concert with all old Ghanaian gospel greats on one stage. Esther Smith, and Hannah Marfo to Obaapa Christy… the voices that raised a generation. I just want to worship, cry, and leave with a full heart,’ he wrote.

Scanty’s remarks have sparked conversations online, with many Ghanaians agreeing that the era of the veteran gospel artistes was defined by deep worship, powerful lyrics, and messages that transformed lives.

The artistes mentioned dominated Ghana’s gospel scene in the 1990s and early 2000s, and are still celebrated for timeless hits that continue to be played in churches and homes across the country. Fans have since called on event organisers to consider staging a reunion concert featuring the gospel legends.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has dismissed as false allegations that it demands money from players in exchange for national team call-ups, describing the claims as malicious and aimed at damaging its reputation.

In a statement, the GFA specifically denied reports attributed to a supposed relative of Black Stars forward, Prince Owusu.

The claim alleged that the player was asked to pay a percentage of his potential FIFA World Cup earnings to secure a place in the national team.

The Association said the allegation was ‘entirely fabricated.’

The GFA clarified that player selection for all national teams rests solely with the respective head coaches, and not with the Association’s leadership or any of its officials.

It also stated that all financial entitlements for national team players, including appearance fees and match bonuses, are paid directly by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation into players’ individual bank accounts.

The Association said it plays no role in handling those funds.

According to the GFA, both FIFA and GFA ethics codes strictly prohibit bribery, extortion and any form of financial misconduct.

It warned that such violations attract severe disciplinary sanctions and could lead to criminal prosecution.

The Association urged the public to verify information before sharing it online, noting that misinformation has increased following the Black Stars’ exit from the World Cup.

It challenged those behind the claims to provide credible evidence, including the identities of those allegedly involved and details of any payments made.

The GFA further disclosed that its legal team is reviewing the matter and will pursue legal action against individuals and platforms found to be spreading the ‘baseless claims.’

Fintrex Finance PLC has announced the appointment of Nirodha Kalansooriya as a Director of the Company, further strengthening the Board’s legal, governance and financial-sector expertise.

An Attorney-at-Law, Kalansooriya has extensive experience in banking, corporate and civil law. Over the course of her career, she has held senior legal positions at several leading institutions, including Sampath Bank PLC and Nations Trust Bank PLC. She has also served as Head of Legal at Associated Motorways Ltd., and AMW Capital Leasing and Finance PLC.

Kalansooriya holds prestigious academic and professional qualifications from Sri Lanka Law College , Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the Open University of Sri Lanka and Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the University of Colombo, specializing in Information Technology, Intellectual Property, Company Law and Banking Law. She also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree in Business Law from the University of Staffordshire, United Kingdom and a Post-Attorney Diploma in Banking, Finance and Insurance from Sri Lanka Law College. She is currently reading for her PhD at the University of Colombo.

Beyond her corporate and legal practice, Kalansooriya has contributed to law reform initiatives in Sri Lanka as a Convenor and Committee Member appointed by the Ministry of Justice. She has also served as Chairperson of the Notarial Practice Committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. An experienced civil law practitioner, she has served as a panel lawyer for several major banking institutions.

Her contribution extends to legal education and academia. Kalansooriya is a former Council Member of the University of Peradeniya and has served as a Visiting Lecturer at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and Sri Lanka Law College, supporting the development of future legal professionals.

Welcoming Kalansooriya the Fintrex Finance PLC Board of Directors said her broad legal and financial-sector experience is expected to add further depth to Board deliberations and support the Company’s continued focus on sound governance, regulatory compliance and sustainable growth.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called for an independent, transparent, and expeditious investigation into the recent violence at Negombo Prison, while urging the Government to use the tragedy as a catalyst for long-overdue reforms to the country’s prison and criminal justice systems.

In a statement issued yesterday, the BASL expressed profound concern over the incidents at Negombo Prison between 5 and 7 July, which reportedly claimed 27 lives, including seven prison officers, and left more than 100 people injured.

The BASL unequivocally condemned all acts of violence, irrespective of their source, stating that violence within places of detention undermines the Rule of Law, erodes public confidence in the administration of justice, and endangers the lives of prisoners, prison officers, and others responsible for managing correctional institutions.

It also noted reports that tensions had arisen in several other prisons and urged the relevant authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of both inmates and prison officers.

While welcoming the Government’s decision to appoint an independent committee headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge, the BASL said the inquiry must be conducted independently, impartially, transparently, and without delay. It said the investigation should establish the full sequence of events, determine whether any unlawful acts or omissions contributed to the tragedy, identify failures in prison administration, security, or oversight, and recommend reforms aimed at preventing similar incidents.

The Association also called for the findings of the inquiry to be made public, subject only to limitations required in the interests of justice or national security.

The BASL stressed that anyone found to have engaged in criminal conduct or official misconduct, whether prisoners, prison officers, or any other person, should be held accountable in accordance with the law and afforded due process.

It further called for prompt medical treatment for those injured and appropriate support for the families of those who lost their lives.

The Association said the incident should not be viewed as an isolated event but as a reflection of longstanding structural deficiencies within Sri Lanka’s prison system and the wider administration of criminal justice.

It reiterated that persons deprived of their liberty do not forfeit their fundamental rights, noting that many remand prisoners have not been convicted of any offence and continue to enjoy the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.

At the same time, the BASL said prison officers perform an essential public function under difficult conditions and are entitled to safe working conditions, adequate resources, facilities, and institutional support.

The BASL also urged authorities to address chronic prison overcrowding through a broader review of criminal justice policies, including the timely disposal of cases, appropriate use of bail, greater reliance on non-custodial sentencing where appropriate, strengthened rehabilitation programs, improved prison infrastructure, adequate staffing, and modern prison management.

Extending its condolences to the families of those who died, the BASL said meaningful accountability requires not only identifying responsibility for the incident but also addressing the underlying conditions that gave rise to the tragedy to prevent a recurrence.

Recognising that successful digital transformation requires strong institutional leadership, the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), through the OneRegistry initiative funded by the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund, recently concluded the ‘RGD to Digital Excellence (RGD2DX)’ leadership development program for 61 senior management officials of the Registrar General’s Department.

The initiative was designed to strengthen the leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptive capacities of senior officials responsible for guiding the Registrar General’s Department through the ongoing modernisation of Sri Lanka’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system. The program forms part of broader efforts to build a digitally enabled, integrated, and citizen-centric civil registration system that delivers more efficient and accessible services to the public.

The RGD2DX program was conducted through two residential cohorts held in Kandy bringing together 61 members of the senior management of the Registrar General’s Department, including senior administrators and decision-makers who will play a pivotal role in driving institutional transformation in the years ahead.

Facilitated by international experts from Malaysia, the program introduced participants to adaptive leadership, systems thinking, institutional change management, and approaches to leading organisations through periods of digital transition. Through interactive discussions, experiential learning exercises, and collaborative problem-solving activities, participants explored practical strategies to strengthen organisational resilience while maintaining public trust and service quality.

Recognising that sustainable institutional transformation extends beyond residential learning, the program also included a series of virtual follow-up clinics conducted over a three-month period, enabling participants to reflect on the practical application of their learnings, share experiences and challenges, and receive continued guidance from facilitators.

Participants highlighted the practical value of the program in supporting the Department’s ongoing transition towards digital systems.

Additional District Registrar – Matale Dasun Hettiarachchi said: ‘When moving from the traditional system to the new system, we discussed the gaps and obstacles, as well as how to resolve them, and received useful advice.’

Similarly, Additional District Registrar (Legal Division) Kumudu Dissanayake noted: ‘The higher management and the RGD staff who participated in this training have been able to adopt new methods, and we are highly motivated. This has been very beneficial to our department.’

The RGD2DX program underscores the importance of investing not only in digital systems and technology, but also in the people responsible for leading change. By strengthening leadership capacities within the senior management of the Registrar General’s Department, the initiative contributes towards building a more agile, responsive, and future-ready institution capable of delivering improved public services to citizens across Sri Lanka.

As Sri Lanka continues its digital transformation journey, initiatives such as RGD2DX demonstrate the importance of cultivating adaptive public sector leadership that can effectively navigate complexity, champion innovation, and drive sustainable institutional change for the benefit of all Sri Lankans.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has formally requested FIFA to remove the officiating team involved in Egypt’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup round of 16, citing what it described as serious refereeing errors and inconsistent decision-making.

In a statement, the EFA confirmed that its president, Hany Abou Rida, had submitted an official complaint to FIFA, calling for an investigation into French referee, François Letexier, and the entire match officials’ team, including the Video Assistant Referees (VAR).

The controversy centred on a second-half incident in Atlanta where Mostafa Zico had a goal ruled out after VAR judged that midfielder Marwan Attia had fouled Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez earlier in the build-up. Egypt also believed Mohamed Salah should have been awarded a penalty moments before Argentina launched the attack that produced the stoppage-time winner.

The EFA accused the officials of making ‘blatant errors’ and failing to review key incidents, alleging ‘double standards’ throughout the match.

The federation also called for the refereeing team to be excluded from the remainder of the tournament following an investigation.

Following the defeat, Egypt manager, Hossam Hassan, claimed his side had been treated unfairly, suggesting the decisions favoured the defending champions.

Forward, Mostafa Zico, also criticised the officiating, insisting the match officials had been unjust and claiming the tournament had been unfairly handled.

The result ended Egypt’s hopes of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in the nation’s history. Meanwhile, Argentina progressed to face Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

FIFA had not commented on the EFA’s complaint at the time of publication.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has scheduled Saturday, September 19, 2026, for its National Delegates Conference, where delegates will elect new national officers to steer the party into the next election cycle.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 8, the party said the date was approved by the National Council following a proposal from the National Executive Committee during its meeting on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

‘The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has fixed Saturday, September 19, 2026, as the date for its National Delegates Conference, at which delegates will, among other matters, elect National Officers of the Party pursuant to Article 10(1) of the Party Constitution,’ the statement said.

Background

The NPP, Ghana’s current opposition party, holds a National Delegates Conference every four years to elect national executives.

The exercise is mandated by Article 10(1) of the party’s constitution and is expected to shape the leadership that will lead the party’s reorganisation ahead of the 2028 general election.

The upcoming conference comes at a time when the NPP is undertaking internal reforms to strengthen its structures and broaden participation following its defeat in the 2024 polls.

Party leaders have repeatedly stressed the need for unity, accountability and a more inclusive decision-making process.

As part of preparations, the NPP has also opened the window for constitutional amendments. In line with Article 19(2) of its Constitution, members and stakeholders have been invited to submit proposals for changes to the party’s governing document.

Proposals must reach the Office of the General Secretary at the party’s national headquarters, or be sent electronically to nppconstitutionalamendment@gmail.com, by Friday, July 17, 2026.

The party described the review process as an opportunity to enhance internal democracy, improve governance, and make the NPP more responsive to the aspirations of its members.

‘The NPP remains committed to constitutionalism, internal democracy, and the rule of law as it prepares for the upcoming National Delegates Conference,’ the statement added.