Category: Daily Financial Times

The Mastery of Self journey, conducted over four immersive days on 15 and 16 May and 12 and 13 June, has now concluded, emerging as a profoundly impactful experience.

With participation thoughtfully capped at 50 to ensure quality, the first cohort brought together a diverse group of leaders from international restaurant franchisers, fashion and local craft retailers, BPO service providers, banks, media organisations, and students. They represented a wide range of age groups, professions, organisations and communities, creating an exceptional balance of energy, passion, creativity and purpose.

What unfolded over the four days was far more than a learning experience. It marked the beginning of a meaningful inner shift. Participants engaged deeply with the principles of Purposeful Leadership, gaining clarity on what it means to lead from a place of purpose rather than mere performance. Importantly, each participant was guided to articulate the first iteration of their personal purpose statement and to begin shaping a practical strategy for purposeful living and leadership. These strategies included removing negative energy, building a positive mindset, overcoming mental barriers, eliminating self-defeating memories, habits and phobias, enlisting the subconscious mind, and stretching beyond perceived limitations to live and lead more purposefully.

There is already strong evidence that the work has begun to take root. Through a WhatsApp support group created to sustain momentum beyond the sessions, participants have actively shared their progress. Many have reported applying the tools in their daily lives, often at a subconscious level, resulting in positive shifts in mindset, behaviour, relationships and outcomes. This early application has been particularly encouraging. Participants have shared how they are making more aligned decisions, overcoming personal barriers, and engaging more purposefully in both their professional and personal lives. The integration of purpose, coupled with practical tools, has enabled them to move beyond intention into meaningful action.

In response to the overwhelming interest, and recognising those it was not possible to accommodate in the initial cohort, as well as others who would benefit from this experience, the next Mastery of Self – Expert and Achiever program is scheduled for 24-25 July and 7-8 August 2026.

This second cohort is already gaining momentum, with strong interest from both new participants and referrals from those who have experienced the program. Many participants have also expressed a desire to extend this journey to their colleagues, friends and family, further testament to its impact.

Daily FT, Sri Lanka’s leading business daily, extended its support without hesitation in sponsoring the first Mastery of Self program and has continued this partnership for the forthcoming cohort. This commitment reflects a clear recognition of the importance of purposeful living and leadership, as well as the need to build organisations anchored in decent human values. It stands as a strong testament to Daily FT’s own philosophy of responsible business and its commitment to nurturing leaders who contribute to a more flourishing society.

Welcomes MP Ravi Karunanayake’s call for detailed inquiry involving Central Bank, Customs, banking sector and other agencies

Says alleged transactions require broader investigation before conclusions can be drawn

Notes timing differences and advance payments could explain about 40% of questioned transactions

Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has backed calls for a multi-agency investigation into the alleged $ 1 billion phantom imports controversy, saying only a coordinated inquiry involving all relevant authorities can establish how the transactions occurred, identify regulatory gaps and determine what corrective action is required.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) last week, Dr. Weerasinghe welcomed a recent proposal by Ravi Karunanayake for a dedicated discussion on the issue, saying the Central Bank would be prepared to participate alongside other agencies to examine the matter comprehensively.

‘I saw in the media MP Ravi Karunanayake had asked for a meeting. I think it’s good to have that detailed discussion with authorities and we can come and basically share our views and ideas on how that has happened, what leads to that kind of thing and what are the gaps in the legislations,’ the Governor said (please see: https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Ravi-urges-CoPF-to-summon-CBSL–banks-over-alleged—1-b-trade-fraud/44-793934).

He said the inquiry should involve the Central Bank, Sri Lanka Customs, the Import and Export Control Department, commercial banks and other relevant agencies to examine their respective roles, identify regulatory gaps and review existing safeguards.

Dr. Weerasinghe said the alleged transactions had already been the subject of discussions involving President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Customs, foreign exchange authorities and other institutions, adding that the Import and Export Control Department had subsequently issued directions intended to address the issue. However, he cautioned that the Central Bank was not privy to information held by law enforcement authorities regarding the specific allegations.

‘We don’t have that information. This is a much broader investigation. I don’t think we can comment on that transaction right now without information,’ he told the committee.

The Governor also clarified the treatment of advance payments for imports, saying such payments were permissible under Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange framework where supported by an underlying trade transaction. He noted that differences between foreign exchange regulations and Customs procedures meant some transactions could legitimately appear in Central Bank payment records before corresponding import declarations were reflected in Customs data.

Central Bank officials said the discrepancies should not automatically be interpreted as phantom imports because timing differences, advance payments and documentation requirements could account for a significant share of the reported amount. Officials indicated that preliminary analysis suggested about 40% of the questioned $ 1 billion appeared to relate to genuine imports, reinforcing the Governor’s view that conclusions should await a comprehensive investigation.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved awarding of the event management contract for Sri Lanka Expo 2027 to the Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services Ltd., (LECS) and Aitken Spence Travels Ltd., (ASTL) partnership for Rs. 178.71 million, inclusive of VAT.

Sri Lanka Expo 2027, an international exhibition approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 27 April 2026, is scheduled to be held from 14 to 17 January 2027.

‘Quotations were invited to select an event management company for the exhibition, with three bids received in response to the procurement process,’ Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting yesterday.

Following an evaluation of the bids, he said the Advisory Procurement Committee appointed by the Cabinet recommended the LECS-ASTL partnership as the substantially responsive bidder.

The proposal to this effect was submitted by Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi.

If you sit down with a calculator and look at the official agricultural reports coming out of Colombo, you will quickly find yourself staring at a glaring financial contradiction.

On paper, the math behind Sri Lankan tea cultivation doesn’t just look tight-it looks downright irrational. Even under modern national average conditions, a well-managed acre of smallholder tea land yields a net profit cap hovering around Rs. 350,000 per year (Rs. 29,000 a month approximately). On degraded land, that number plummets to near-zero or slips into a net loss.

This reality forces us to confront a brutal double-question: Is our national data fundamentally flawed, or is tea truly unprofitable? And if the latter is true, why on earth did generations of Sri Lankans choose tea over every other crop? Who in their right mind signs up for a backbreaking, year-round agricultural venture that caps their optimum yearly return at the price of a mid-range smartphone?

The answer lies in a mix of statistical optical illusions, unique rural economics, and a powerful human factor that spreadsheets fail to capture.

The first step in solving this riddle requires a fundamental shift in perspective. Agricultural economists love to evaluate farming on an annual basis. But a rural family doesn’t survive on annual balance sheets; they survive on monthly cash velocity. When we re-run the numbers using the true monthly harvesting cycles observed on the fields, the entire narrative shifts. A struggling or underperforming smallholder plot harvests roughly 250 kg of raw green leaf per acre per month. Meanwhile, a highly optimised, well-managed field in prime condition can achieve a peak of 1,000 kg of green leaf per acre per month. When you scale this monthly reality into annual revenue, the true biological power of tea is revealed:

When we re-run the numbers using the true monthly harvesting cycles observed on the fields, the entire narrative shifts. A struggling or underperforming smallholder plot harvests roughly 250 kg of raw green leaf per acre per month. Meanwhile, a highly optimised, well-managed field in prime condition can achieve a peak of 1,000 kg of green leaf per acre per month. When you scale this monthly reality into annual revenue, the true biological power of tea is revealed:

The first part of the riddle lies in how “profit” is calculated by economists versus how it is experienced by a rural family. When Government departments or the TRI publish a Cost of Production (COP), they use standard accounting principles. They calculate the cost of fertiliser, transport, and crucially, labour. They assign a market monetary value to every hour spent weeding, pruning, and plucking.

But in the smallholder sector-which commands over 75% of our tea production-the reality looks very different:

The Family Labour Loop: The people plucking the leaf are often the landholder, their spouse, or their children.

The Statistician’s View: The economist subtracts “imputed labour costs” from the revenue, showing a tiny paper profit of Rs. 29,000.

The Farmer’s View: The farmer doesn’t pay themselves a wage. To them, that “labour cost” is cash that stays entirely inside the household.

Therefore, what an official report categorises as a “low-profit margin” is experienced by a rural family as direct, livable household income. If the data isn’t necessarily lying, it is measuring a business structure on land that operates purely as a family survival ecosystem.

The data tells us the cold corporate truth: as a business, raw bulk tea is a failing model. But the rural reality tells us a different story: as a socio-economic shock absorber, tea has been the only thing keeping rural Sri Lanka afloat. Moving forward, the goal cannot be to keep funding this bare-minimum survival loop; we must aggressively transform the infrastructure so that farmers can actually extract real wealth from their land.

Part II: The data crisis – Why national formulas are blind to the ground reality

However, accepting the “low-profit survival loop” explanation requires us to trust the underlying statistics in the first place. This is where the argument takes a much more alarming turn:

What if our national tea data is fundamentally unscientific and inaccurate?

When we drill down into how agricultural metrics are collected in Sri Lanka, it becomes clear that the “average yield per acre” is an administrative fiction. On the ground, the very unit of measurement-the acre-is treated as a flat, uniform geometric shape. But a tea bush does not care about geographic boundaries; it cares about spacing.

The bush-density mirage: Plants vs. land size

In modern agronomy, what matters is not the raw size of the land, but plant density-the actual number of productive tea bushes packed into that space.

The Reality: A scientifically optimised acre of modern Vegetatively Propagated (VP) tea can support roughly 5,000 to 6,000 bushes planted in tight, soil-conserving contours.

The Fiction: Conversely, an old, colonial seedling acre or a neglected smallholder plot might have massive “vacancies” due to bush death, soil erosion, and rock formations, leaving fewer than 1,500 struggling plants scattered across the exact same geographic “acre.”

When the Government aggregates data by simply dividing total village output by registered land deeds, it flattens this massive discrepancy. It treats a thriving, high-density matrix of tea clones exactly the same as a half-barren hillside.

The unbelievable variance: 250 kg vs. 1,500 kg

Because the current data structure fails to account for plant density, soil health, and microclimates, it generates an eco-statistical distortion that no universal formula can fix.

Step onto the fields, and the true ground reality reveals a staggering, almost unbelievable variance:

A severely degraded, undermanaged acre on highly acidified soil might yield a miserable 250 kg of green leaves per year. Walk just a few kilometers away to a well-managed block featuring premium soil conservation, optimised shade trees, and high-yielding clones, and that exact same land area can pump out 1,500 kg of green leaves.

This is a 600% variance happening within the same valleys. Attempting to compress this wild spectrum into a single “national average yield” to dictate policy is not just lazy math-it completely distorts the truth. It masks the hyper-profitable farms while failing to pinpoint the dying ones.

The scientific blind spot of the data collection

This brings us to the root of the administrative failure: the research and Government planning arms are currently operating without a rigorous, modernised data-collection framework.

To provide policy makers with metrics that actually reflect reality, the TRI cannot rely on passive, self-reported factory returns or broad-stroke regional summaries. True agricultural research requires localised, high-fidelity block sampling methods. Yield data must be scientifically categorised, statistically isolated, and cross-referenced against three strict controls:

1. Climatic Variables: Segmenting data by precise agro-ecological zones (Up-country, Mid-country, Low-country) and tracking localised rainfall and humidity shifts.

2. Substrate (Soil) Integrity: Measuring real-time soil pH, organic matter content, and nutrient depletion levels block-by-block.

3. Management Quality: Grouping data by farming practices-separating fields using mechanical harvesting, systemic weeding, and targeted fertilisation from those left to nature.

If the TRI fails to execute this level of rigorous statistical analysis, any report they publish is just a spreadsheet of assumptions.

The Treasury threat: Siphoning funds on blind targets

When policymakers are fed distorted, flattened data, the solutions they design become fundamentally broken. For years, the Government has set arbitrary national production targets-like aiming for a blanket 360-million-kilogram output-without identifying the micro-level structural truths of the fields. If the Government looks at an inaccurate “average” and decides the remedy is simply to distribute generalised fertiliser subsidies or cheap machinery grants across the board, they are engaging in a dangerous economic gamble.

Without targeted block data, millions of rupees in Government funding are directed toward lands that are biophysically incapable of recovering without intensive soil restoration, while still challenging the results of some high-density, high-potential blocks that have been enhanced with specialised technology. We must restart a broader discussion with a basic formula that farming must be profitable, must provide the best RoI, and competitive advantages whether that’s tea or any other crop.

The core policy mechanism: Incentives only for the market shock absorber

Instead of a permanent, blanket subsidy that breeds long-term dependence, this framework functions as a market shock absorber, conceptually similar to the national bus fare index. The cost of fertiliser is calculated transparently based on Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) plus a Reasonable Profit for Importers (RPI).

The Zero-Subsidy State: When global fertiliser prices drop or remain stable, the actual market price falls below the farmer’s maximum affordable threshold. During these periods, no subsidy is paid. and the farmer naturally gains higher profitability from cheaper agricultural inputs.

The Shock-Absorber State: The subsidy triggers only if a global crisis pushes the market price above the calculated affordable limit. The special fund then steps in to pay the excess gap, ensuring the farmer can maintain optimum yield and high-quality leaf production without facing bankruptcy.

To ensure administrative ease and responsiveness to the volatile tea auction market, the formula is executed at a Regional Level (e.g., Low Country, Mid Country, Up Country) or by factory level by the TRI on a quarterly basis. It utilises the Sri Lanka Tea Board’s (SLTB) Quarterly Reasonable Price Average to accurately reflect the smallholder’s income.

The backward calculation (A simulation) for Maximum Affordable Price (PF quarterly*)

PF_quarterly* = [ (YQ × PSLTB_Q) – (CQ + ?Q) × (1 + i)] / QQ

Where:

PSLTB_Q: The SLTB Quarterly Reasonable Price Average of Green Leaf for the region/factory (Rs/kg).

YQ: Target optimum regional/factory yield of green leaves per acre per quarter (kg).

CQ: Baseline Cost of Production per acre per quarter (excluding fertiliser).

IIQ: Target baseline viable profit required per acre per quarter to sustain a household.

i: Prevailing national inflation rate (decimal format). i.e. 0.08

QQ: Total fertiliser requirement per acre per quarter to achieve YQ based on TRI technical split-application guidelines.

The subsidy trigger equation

SF = Max(0, PM – PF-quarterly*)

Where SF is the subsidy paid per kg of fertiliser from the Factory-Funded Pool, and PM is the regulated market price of fertiliser (CIF + RPI). RPI=Reasonable profit for Importers

Strategic benefits to the Government and industry

1. Zero Budgetary Burden: The entire subsidy framework may be established at the factory level. The Government acts purely as a regulator and trustee, without dedicating taxpayer funds. The SLTB will act as the chief auditor to ensure funds are funneled cleanly back through the processing factories or any other every quarter based on verified green leaf delivery slips or recorded by the proposed mobile application.

2. Drives Quality and Yield Automatically: The Dual-Tier Leaf Quality Formula (Ran Dalu vs. Coarse): Split the core equation to incentivise quality harvesting. If an estate submits a high proportion of prime “bud-and-two-leaves” (Ran Dalu), their PSLTB-Q will reflect a premium, lowering their calculated fertiliser cost barrier. Conversely, lower-grade coarse leaves will pull a discounted rate, force a lower affordable limit and ensure that the framework explicitly rewards premium agricultural output.

3. Because the formula assumes an optimum yield (YQ), farmers who neglect their fields or produce low-quality leaf will fall below the profit baseline. This implicitly rewards highly productive, quality-focused farmers.

4. Eliminates Political Vulnerability: Fertiliser subsidy pricing ceases to be a political battleground. Price adjustments occur transparently via a math-driven index managed objectively by the TRI and SLTB.

5. Leakage and Misuse Prevention Controls: Added strict guardrails to prevent exploitation. Fertiliser quotas will be legally hard-capped against the farmer’s registered acreage and the TRI technical split-application guidelines. Furthermore, factories will disburse the subsidy as either fertiliser or non-transferable fertiliser credit vouchers mapped to the farmer’s national identity profile, bank accounts (preferably more than cash payouts).

6. Farmers will be encouraged to increase the productivity and optimise the yield while maximising the profit

If our current data collection remains an unscientific guessing game, blindly throwing money at the tea sector does nothing but siphon scarce funds from the national treasury. Until the Government establishes a powerhouse research arm to publish data-driven, quarterly realities and targeted remedies, we aren’t funding an industry-we are funding a blind spot.

There has been a great deal of evolution around the science of tobacco harm reduction over the past two decades, but there remain gaps in their administration due to the lack of awareness. Part of the challenge, says British American Tobacco (BAT) Senior Manager – Scientific Research Analucia Saraiva, is that most of the data in this space is still produced by the tobacco industry itself, which leads some policymakers and members of the public to view it with skepticism. Saraiva is clear that the research is peer reviewed, and believes that tobacco companies need to be more vocal about tobacco harm reduction so that regulators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers would take note.

Over the past 35 years, Saraiva has observed the transition from traditional combustible tobacco products to smokeless nicotine alternatives, a shift supported by scientific efforts to identify harmful constituents in cigarette smoke and, enabling nicotine to be delivered in a potentially less harmful way.

BAT and the wider industry have significantly built out their research and development capabilities, recruiting scientific experts across disciplines, and investing in global innovation centres dedicated to designing and developing smokeless products with reduced risk profiles for adult consumers who would otherwise continue to smoke.

‘I believe nicotine pouches represent a significant part of the solution when it comes to tobacco harm reduction. The reason why is because, of course, they involve no combustion – meaning the consumer will consume the nicotine with no smoke, no ash and no tar. We don’t promote them as a nicotine replacement therapy; however, on the risk continuum, the products sit in a very similar position. While nicotine is addictive and not risk free, the scientific consensus is clear that it is the smoke from burning tobacco that is the primary cause of smoking-related diseases. Pouches contain no tobacco, no burning, no smoke and no inhalation when used as intended – and that absence is what positions them favourably on the risk continuum.’

She went on to explain that the concept of risk continuum is a matrix that lists tobacco and nicotine products based on their relative levels of risk. This continuum places products along a spectrum from highest risk (cigarettes) to lowest risk (nicotine replacement therapy). Whilst the best thing a smoker can do is quit, the continuum illustrates that smokeless alternatives such as vapour products, oral nicotine products, and nicotine replacement therapies generally produce fewer harmful chemicals and expose users to lower levels of harm compared to smoking. To advance tobacco harm reduction and encourage smoking transition to potentially less harmful ways of nicotine consumption for those adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking, Saraiva believes healthcare professionals have a greater role to play, especially in low- and middle-income countries, as they are often the first line of contact for smokers. However, there is a degree of skepticism as there is very little being spoken about nicotine. ‘I never had a professor who walked me through the profile of nicotine, the harms of tar, and the architect of cigarettes versus smokeless products. This is not something you learn at university.’

Offering her perspective on claims that industry reports on harm reduction are biased, Saravia acknowledged that these products are relatively new and therefore require time to become the subject of independent scientific scrutiny. While most of the existing evidence has been generated through industry-led studies, Saraiva also highlighted that independent public health bodies are increasingly validating the reduced risk potential of nicotine pouches.

‘I think harm reduction is a concept that is still not accurately understood. I’m aware of some prohibitions, which are currently in place in Sri Lanka for heated tobacco products and smokeless tobacco pouches.’ BAT wants to completely transition and see revenues coming much more from smokeless nicotine products than cigarettes. Product needs to be affordable, acceptable, and accessible. Our ingredients undergo rigorous assessment from toxicologists. We don’t add anything above recommended levels, and our product regulatory compliance team reviews every product and recipe across every market we operate in,’ Saraiva added.

She also pointed out that robust measures are in place to prevent underage access to these products. BAT is clear that its products are intended for adults only, and preventing underage access is central to its commitment to responsible stewardship.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday directed closer oversight of agricultural spending and project implementation ahead of the 2027 Budget, instructing officials to maximise the use of 2026 allocations, accelerate delayed foreign-funded projects and expand awareness of concessionary credit schemes for young entrepreneurs.

Chairing pre-Budget discussions on the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation at the Presidential Secretariat, the President reviewed the progress of projects implemented under the 2026 Budget by key institutions, including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Development, Department of Export Agriculture and the Institute of Post-Harvest Technology, while also assessing the Ministry’s funding requirements for next year.

The discussions also examined institutions requiring restructuring to improve efficiency and service delivery.

The President instructed that irrigation infrastructure currently managed by multiple institutions, departments and local authorities should be brought under a single district-level regulatory mechanism. He also called for a comprehensive mapping of irrigation rehabilitation projects underway across the country to improve coordination and monitoring.

As part of preparations for the 2027 Budget, the President directed officials to intensify efforts to promote concessionary bank loan schemes available to young entrepreneurs in the agriculture and industrial sectors to improve access to financing.

He also requested proposals for a more integrated management framework for agricultural extension services currently operating under different Ministries, while stressing the need for separate subject-specific discussions to strengthen coordination between Provincial Councils and the Central Government.

The President further instructed officials to submit new proposals aimed at expanding export agriculture and increasing value addition in agricultural products.

The meeting also reviewed the status of foreign loan-funded projects, many of which have exceeded their original completion schedules. The President directed officials to expedite implementation and said future externally financed projects should only be approved after clearly defining their expected outcomes.

Officials noted that delays in completing projects initiated in previous years had imposed a significant financial cost on the Government. It was decided that projects which had failed to meet implementation timelines would be reviewed.

The discussion also considered replacing long-running programs that have delivered limited results with more productive agricultural initiatives.

The meeting was attended by Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K. D. Lalkantha, Labour Minister and Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando, Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and senior officials from the Finance and Agriculture Ministries.

Defending champions score 3 goals in last 13 minutes after trailing 0-2

Defending champions Argentina survived what was shaping up to be one of the tournament’s biggest seismic shocks, rallying from two goals down to beat Egypt with three late strikes in a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 encounter.

Egypt led 2-0 well beyond the 70-minute mark and appeared on course for a famous victory before Argentina mounted a remarkable fightback in the final quarter of regular time to break Egyptian hearts.

The result also rewrote history for Lionel Messi’s side, as Argentina had never previously won a World Cup match after trailing 2-0.

Yasser Ibrahim gave Egypt the lead in the 15th minute of the Round of 16 encounter before Mostafa Zico doubled the advantage in the 67th minute, leaving the defending champions on the brink of a stunning upset.

However, following the final hydration break, Argentina began their revival. Cristian Romero reduced the deficit in the 79th minute before Messi levelled the scores four minutes later. Enzo Fernandez then completed the turnaround with the winner in the 90th minute, sealing a spectacular comeback from the jaws of defeat, with the team’s talisman Messi named Player of the Match.

Spain pips Portugal, Belgium hammers USA

Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time strike snatched Spain victory over Portugal at Dallas Stadium and a FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final place. Luis De La Fuente’s team will now head to Los Angeles Stadium to play the winners of USA-Belgium.

The first half was shot-high but goal-shy. Mikel Oyarzabal spurned Spain’s best chance, pulling his attempt wide after Dani Olmo sent him clean through, while Diogo Costa did brilliantly to tip Alex Baena’s curler round the post.

Cristiano Ronaldo threatened for Portugal, who came closest when Nuno Mendes’s deflected drive rattled the crossbar.

The sides were more cautious in the second period. On extra time’s cusp, however, two substitutes combined as Ferran Torres set up Merino to settle the contest with a powerful and precise low finish.

The final whistle seemingly marked the end of Ronaldo’s time on football’s biggest stage. ‘This will be my last World Cup,’ he reiterated pre-match.

The 41-year-old hit 11 goals in 27 games and set multiple milestones, including becoming the first man to score in six editions.

Belgium booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals with a 4-1 victory over USA at Seattle Stadium

Charles De Ketelaere’s brace, Hans Vanaken’s first World Cup goal and a late strike from substitute Romelu Lukaku set up a last-eight meeting with Spain, while USA became the final co-hosts to exit the tournament after Canada and Mexico had already bowed out in the Round of 16.

The warning signs were there for Mauricio Pochettino’s side when Timothy Castagne’s 18-yard strike forced Matt Freese into a flying save at the end of Belgium’s first meaningful attack.

Youri Tielemans then went within inches of turning home Dodi Lukebakio’s cross before Rudi Garcia’s men took a deserved lead. Leandro Trossard’s teasing delivery into the box caused all manner of problems for the USA defence, with Nicolas Raskin firing across for De Ketelaere to tap home.

Belgium appeared to be cruising, but their lead was cancelled out after 31 minutes when Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick wrong-footed Thibaut Courtois. However, the scores were level for just 116 seconds as Trossard’s cross from the left found De Ketelaere, who headed home his second goal of the contest.

USA’s task was made even harder just before the hour mark when a defensive mishap gifted Belgium a third goal. Freese raced out of his area to clear but missed the ball, allowing De Ketelaere to steal possession before Vanaken’s long-range effort evaded Tim Ream’s attempted block and found the empty net.

The Stars and Stripes showed signs of life in the closing stages as substitute Sebastian Berhalter fired wide and Courtois denied Folarin Balogun, only for Lukaku to pounce on a loose clearance and finish with aplomb in stoppage time to put the result beyond any doubt.

Spain await Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on 10 July.

Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Chairman Eran Wickramaratne visited Sri Lanka Cricket’s Level 1 Coach Education Program during an inspection tour of the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS), Dambulla.

The four-day program, conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket’s Coach Education Unit, was in progress when Wickramaratne visited the venue as part of his ground inspection tour.

During his visit, Wickramaratne interacted with both the participants and the coach educators conducting the program. He also took the opportunity to encourage the participants, emphasizing the importance of high-quality coach education in strengthening the future of Sri Lankan cricket.

A total of 23 participants, including both men and women, took part in the Level 1 Coach Education Program, which covered key areas such as Productive Session Planning, the Coaches’ Code of Conduct, How to Coach, Strength and Conditioning, Batting, Bowling, Fielding and Wicket keeping, and the nutritional aspects of the game.

The participants represented the cricketing districts of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura.

The program was conducted from 1st to 4th July 2026.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s Coach Education Unit conducts the Introduction to Cricket Coaching Program, as well as Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Coach Education Programs, all of which are designed to develop and enhance the knowledge and skills of cricket coaches across the country.

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Negombo CC stunned a strong SSC side by pulling off a first innings win in their Under23 Inter-Club 2-day tournament match concluded at the Air Force grounds, Katunayake yesterday.

Continuing from their overnight total of 291-9, Negombo CC stretched their first innings to 316 courtesy a fighting 40 off 87 balls from Shehan Pramod. SSC in reply lost their first four wickets for 80 before a 115-run stand between skipper Shevon Daniel (81 off 127 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes) and national player Dunith Wellalage (58 off 132 balls, 5 fours) saw them recover to 195-4. However, the lower order batsmen could not sustain the probing off-breaks of Amitha Pereira (4/110) and seam of Shehan Pramod (3/67) and Hansaja Hiruna (2/36) as SSC were bowled out for 244, giving Negombo CC a 72-run first innings lead.

NCC and Bloomfield also suffered a similar fate losing their matches in the first innings. Tamil Union spurred by former Benedictine cricketer Tihan Bitar (76 off 162 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) and good contributions from their top order overhauled NCC’s score of 229 and declared at 231-4 at the P Sara Oval. NCC in their second innings put up a better batting performance to score 177-3 largely through their fourth wicket pair Yenula Dewthusa (56* off 76 balls, 7 fours) and skipper Dineth Goonewardena (65* off 75 balls, 8 fours, 1 six) who came together in a partnership of 131*.

Moors SC edged out Bloomfield in a thrilling contest for first innings points at Moors SC grounds. Moors SC lost seven wickets for 192 chasing NCC’s total of 209 and were able to overhaul them mainly through an eighth wicket stand of 31 by Sithum Vihanga (29) and Sandaru Malshan (16). Left-arm spinner Kaveesha Piyumal took 4/62. Bloomfield in their second innings scored 238-8 with left-arm spinner Induwara Udena acquiring six of the wickets for 79 runs.

Ranmith Senarath (70 off 83 balls, 3 fours, 5 sixes) and Duminda Sewmini (51* off 71 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) were the heroes for BRC in their first innings win against Havelock Park rivals Colts at the BRC grounds. BRC were struggling at 115-8 in reply to Colts’ total of 126 when the pair came together in a match-winning partnership that realized 91 runs for the ninth wicket that saw them total 244. Colts in their second essay scored 177-7 with fifties from Hiran Jayasundara (69 off 92 balls, 10 fours) and Rusanda Gamage (52* off 122 balls, 3 fours).

Moratuwa SC fuelled by an unbeaten century off 169 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes) from Deneth Sithumina and his 132-run liaison with Pramesh Madubhashana (83 off 127 balls, 12 fours) made short work of Galle CC’s score of 240 replying with 322-8 declared at Moratuwa Stadium. Galle CC in their second innings lost seven for 127 with left-arm spinner Manuja Chanthuka taking 4/37.

Army SC ran short of time to grab full points from Kurunegala SC at Army grounds, Panagoda and had to be content with only a first innings win. Army SC did well to dismiss Kurunegala SC twice for 150 and following-on for 199 in reply to their score of 263, but time was not on their side to chase down a target of 87. Left-arm spinner Pathum Vihanga was instrumental in the downfall of Kurunegala SC’s batting with a match bag of 9/160 (6/78 in the first innings).

Abishek Liyanaarachchi’s powered packed innings of 133 off 120 balls (5 fours, 11 sixes) gave Kurunegala YCC an easy first innings win against Navy SC at Welisara. Kurunegala YCC replying to Navy SC’s first innings of 239 scored 309. Navy SC in their second innings made 178-4 with Uvindu Perera (66 off 50 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes) scoring his second fifty of the match and Sumalka Fernando (59* off 72 balls, 9 fours).

Kandy Customs SC took first innings points off Police SC at Police Park scoring 291-9 declared in reply to Police SC’s first innings of 140. Captain and wicket-keeper Iruth Gimshan missed out on a century when he was out for 94 (80 balls, 15 fours, 1 six). Right-arm seamer Chathum Kulasekara took 5/69. Captain Dhanuja Induwara (58 off 72 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) and Maleesha Sandaruwan (82* off 112 balls, 5 fours) struck fifties apiece in Police SC’s second innings of 190-3.

Badureliya CC were left to rue for extending their innings to 409-7 declared when they ran short of time to dismiss United Southern SC in their match which ended in a draw at Salawa Army grounds, Kosagama. United Southern SC in reply finished on 229-8. Manasa Madubashana and Rusanda Silva scored fifties for Badureliya CC. For United Southern SC leg-spinner Senuka Dangamuwa took 6/162 off 51 overs and Sehas Ashinsa and Pesandu Sanjan each made 53.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry announced that the deadline for online exhibitor registration for ‘Sri Lanka Expo 2027’ will be open till 31 July, 2026.

Sri Lanka Expo 2027, scheduled to be held from 14 to 17 January 2027 at the BMICH, Colombo, is the country’s premier international trade exhibition, aimed at showcasing Sri Lanka’s export potential and strengthening global trade partnerships.

Local exporters participating in this exhibition will have the opportunity to meet over 1,500 global buyers and investors. Additionally, exhibitors will have the opportunity to arrange pre-scheduled business meetings with potential buyers.

A total of 650 exhibition booths have been allocated for Sri Lankan exporters and export potential companies across 25 sectors, showcasing the diversity of Sri Lanka’s export economy.

Industrial Products include Apparel, Textiles and Fashion, Rubber, Plastic and Chemical Products, Gems and Jewelry, Engineering and Automotive Components, Boat and Shipbuilding, Marine Services, Electrical and Electronic Products, Minerals and Mineral-based Products, Giftware, Lifestyle and Handicrafts, Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices, Printing and Packaging.

Agriculture Products include Tea, Spices and Concentrates, Coconut-based Products, Seafood/Edible Fish Products, Processed Foods and Beverages, Ayurveda, Herbal and Cosmetic Products, Cut Flowers and Foliage, Ornamental Fish, Fruits and Vegetables.

Export Services include Information and Communication Technology/Business Process Management, Tourism, Logistics Services, Construction and Renewable Energy, Wellness and Healthcare Services, and Other Services.

Sri Lankan exporters and companies with export potential are eligible to apply. As the number of exhibition booths are limited, a screening process will be conducted to select qualified exhibitors. EDB invites all exporters to register before 31 July 2026 and be a part of this national endeavor for the economic benefit of the country.