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England Captain Harry Kane continued his incredible goalscoring run with two goals as Bayern Munich crushed Pafos in the Champions League.

Kane, 32, has now scored 102 goals in 105 games for the German giants following his £ 86.4 million move from Tottenham in August 2023.

He has 17 goals in nine club matches in 2025-26, including 11 in his past five appearances, as well as one goal for England in their 5-0 thrashing of Serbia this month.

Bayern, two points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, have now won all nine of their matches this season, scoring 35 goals in the

process, and have two victories from two in the Champions League.

As Sri Lanka commemorates International Day of Older Persons on October 1st, the nation echoes on the immeasurable contributions of senior citizens, among them parents, teachers and all other professionals, workers, and community leaders who have devoted their lives to building the country’s foundations. Providing for their wellbeing is no longer a responsibility, but a moral duty and a national priority.

However, as many are entering their golden years’ they face increasing health challenges. The government has introduced important provisions to support senior citizens, but more needs to be done to strengthen their healthcare and protection.

Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd. (SLICGL), the trusted, government-owned insurer serving the nation for over six decades, has stepped forward with Medi 60, a pioneering medical insurance plan designed exclusively for senior citizens. The policy is intended for individuals between the ages of 60-70 and continues to provide protection, subject to health assessment, until the policyholder reaches 80 years of age.

Medi 60 recognizes turning 60 is not the end of an active life, but the beginning of a new chapter requiring specialized care tailored to the realities of aging. The plan offers three flexible policy options, providing additional coverage for both government and private hospitals. Importantly, the policy is issued with pre-existing medical conditions being excluded other than diabetes, cholesterol and hypertension, in addition to common health concerns without prior complications. The approach supports older adults that have too often been excluded from traditional insurance.

Especially for families with aging parents, Medi 60 brings peace of mind. Thousands of Sri Lankan children living and working abroad carry the worry of not being able to care for their parents back home. With Medi 60, they can be assured their loved ones have access to quality medical care, even in their absence.

The scheme also addresses one of the greatest fears of older age, unexpected medical emergencies. Covering both routine care and urgent treatments, Medi 60 turns what was once financial uncertainty into predictable, reliable protection.

Sri Lanka’s demographic shift toward an aging population presents both challenges and opportunities. The wisdom and experience of senior citizens are invaluable national assets, but their healthcare needs demand innovative solutions. Medi 60 is SLICGL’s response, as a social responsibility initiative making medical insurance accessible, affordable, and dignified for those who built the nation.

SLICGL recognizes senior citizens as deserving of protection and respect. The approach positions the company also as a partner in national development, one who understands that caring for elders strengthens society.

On this International Day of Older Persons, Medi 60 stands as a living tribute to Sri Lanka’s elders. It transforms respect into tangible protection, securing those who built the past can enjoy today and tomorrow with confidence, dignity, and security.

HNB Assurance PLC once again marked a historic milestone by hosting its Partnership Awards 2025 on an international stage for the second consecutive year. Held at the prestigious Royal Signature Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, the gala event welcomed guests from HNB, HNB Assurance staff, Bancassurance Officers and their families, to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the company’s partnership channel.

The Partnership Awards, a flagship annual event for HNB Assurance, serves as a platform to honor and recognize the exceptional contributions of its partnership channel, which continues to play a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth. Following the success of last year’s international debut in Thailand, this year’s event in Malaysia further signifies the company’s expanding vision and growth momentum.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Lasitha Wimalarathne, Executive Director / CEO of HNB Assurance, expressed his thoughts, stating, ‘This is truly a special occasion as we bring together our teams here in Malaysia to celebrate the achievements of our partnership channel. Over the years, this channel has grown into one of our strongest pillars, contributing significantly to our Gross Written Premiums and overall success.

These milestones are a direct reflection of the commitment, innovation and customer-centric mindset that define our people. As we celebrate tonight, I encourage all of you to continue pushing boundaries and setting new standards in the industry. Congratulations to all the award winners and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this gala event a reality.’

The past year has been one of exceptional achievements for HNB Assurance’s partnership channel, which continues to set benchmarks in the industry. With an ever-growing pool of top performers, the team recorded a remarkable number of MDRT qualifiers, along with highest ever COTs and TOTs. HNB Assurance also maintained its position as Sri Lanka’s Best Life Bancassurance Provider, a recognition earned for the fifth consecutive year by the Global Banking and Finance Review.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Mr. Sanesh Fernando, Chief Business Officer / General Manager – Partnerships, shared, ‘The Partnership Awards are not just about celebrating numbers, they are about celebrating our people, the heart and soul of our success. To witness the growth and accomplishments of our Bancassurance Officers year after year has been truly inspiring.

Hosting our gala in Malaysia this year is a reflection of how far we have come, and I firmly believe the best is still ahead of us. I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone in our partnership network. With the guidance of our parent company, Hatton National Bank, and the continued support of our partner banks, financial institutions, and broker network, we are confident of reaching even greater achievements in the years ahead.’

Sri Lanka this week wooed Japanese investors to be part of the proposed neutral AI Data Centre to be set up for the benefit of South Asian countries.

The plans were shared and invitation was extended by Chief Presidential Adviser on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya at a business and investment promotion forum in Tokyo presided by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

He said that the neutral AI Data Centre will be a virtual Special Economic Zone offering data sovereignty for countries using it whilst making the venture attractive for investors including concessions on use of energy.

The proposed initiative is part of the Sri Lankan Government’s efforts to scale up infrastructure in a bid to grow the digital economy by five times to $ 15 billion by 2030.

‘We invite Japanese companies to invest and help Sri Lanka realise the value creation in the digital economy sphere,’ Dr. Wijayasuriya added in his presentation titled ‘Sri Lanka’s digitalization eco-system and investment opportunities.’

According to him, among Sri Lanka›s digital ambitions were enhancing digital exports by three times to $ 5 billion and expanding the digital workforce to 200,000.

The rise of digital technology has created new spaces for children to learn, connect and grow. From online classrooms to social media and gaming platforms, the digital world has become an integral part of childhood. However, with these opportunities comes a growing risk-online harassment and cyberbullying. On World Children’s Day, it is essential to spotlight the importance of protecting children in virtual environments and ensuring their voices, emotions and safety are not compromised.

Cyberbullying takes many forms, including threatening messages, mockery, impersonation, spreading rumours, posting embarrassing photos or excluding someone from online groups. Unlike physical bullying, digital abuse can happen anywhere, anytime-even from behind a screen-and often goes unnoticed by adults. A single harmful post can reach hundreds within seconds, leaving lasting emotional scars.

The psychological impact of cyberbullying on children is profound. Victims may experience anxiety, loneliness, fear, humiliation and depression. Their confidence can drop, affecting academic performance, friendships and family relationships. In severe cases, cyberbullying has led to self-harm, school refusal and long-term trauma. Because children often hesitate to speak up, many suffer in silence while trying to navigate complex emotions alone.

Parents have a crucial role in safeguarding their children. Creating a safe space for open conversations is the first step. Instead of reacting with blame or anger, parents should encourage children to discuss their online experiences freely. Setting age-appropriate screen time limits, monitoring privacy settings and staying informed about the apps children use can help prevent harmful situations. Parents should also watch for signs such as irritability, withdrawal, mood swings, sleep disturbances or sudden disinterest in digital devices or schoolwork.

Schools are equally responsible for prevention and intervention. Digital citizenship education should be part of the curriculum, teaching students about respect, empathy, privacy and the consequences of harmful online actions. Anti-bullying policies must include cyberbullying, with clear steps for reporting and addressing incidents. Teachers and counselors should be trained to identify victims and respond sensitively, ensuring that the child does not feel blamed or isolated. Student-led peer support groups and awareness campaigns can create safer school cultures and empower children to stand against digital bullying.

Community involvement adds another layer of protection. NGOs, youth organizations and child protection agencies can conduct workshops, helplines and outreach programmes. Public awareness campaigns through media and social platforms can educate parents, children and teachers about cyber safety, mental wellbeing and responsible online conduct.

Technology companies must also take accountability. Social media platforms, messaging apps and gaming networks should invest in stronger monitoring systems, AI moderation tools and quick-response mechanisms to report and remove abusive content. Child-friendly settings, privacy controls and age verification processes should be mandatory. Clear communication channels for complaints can help victims feel supported and heard.

Governments can support these efforts by strengthening legal frameworks that criminalize cyberbullying and protect children’s rights online. Collaboration between ministries of education, justice and telecommunications can result in practical guidelines and enforcement mechanisms. Hotlines, support services and data protection policies must be available at national and community levels.

Children themselves need awareness and confidence to protect their digital wellbeing. They should be encouraged to speak up if they feel threatened, harassed or uncomfortable online. Teaching them to block unsafe contacts, report abuse, avoid oversharing personal details and use secure privacy settings is essential. Empowering children to be upstanders-not silent bystanders-helps create safer online communities.

Emotional resilience also plays a key role. Children who feel supported, loved and understood are better equipped to handle challenges. Families can promote hobbies, outdoor activities and social interaction beyond screens to ensure children are not overly dependent on digital validation.

Protecting children from cyberbullying requires teamwork-parents, schools, communities, tech companies, policymakers and children themselves must work together. It is not enough to react after harm occurs; proactive measures, education and empathy are essential to prevention.

On this World Children’s Day, let us commit to building digital spaces rooted in kindness and safety. Every child deserves the freedom to learn, play and connect without fear of humiliation or harassment. By listening, guiding and acting together, we can ensure that technology becomes a tool for progress-not pain-in a child’s life.

A famous quote in cricketing parlance is ‘catches win matches.’ But that was not to be the case for Sri Lanka in their opening ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match against India at Guwahati on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka had India fighting with their backs to the wall at 124-6 after 27 overs, but a spate of dropped catches let the host off the hook and they recovered to post a challenging score of 269-8, to which Sri Lanka could match up with only 211 to lose under the DLS method by 59 runs.

World Cup debutant Amanjot Kaur was given three lives at 18, 37, and 50, and she made Sri Lanka pay for it dearly by scoring a half century (57 off 56 balls) and featuring in a match defining stand of 103 with Deepti Sharma, who also scored a fifty and took three wickets for 54 runs, including the prize wicket of Chamari Athapaththu for 43.

Athapaththu was left to rue her side’s three dropped catches of Amanjot, but she remained confident that her team will bounce back.

‘We executed our plans but we dropped a couple of catches, especially [Amanjot] Kaur’s catch. We made three mistakes and it cost us,’ said Athapaththu after the match.

‘As a batting unit, we lost a couple of wickets early and in the middle overs, and that is where we lost this game. After losing my wicket, our batters struggled a little bit. Chasing is not easy, but we need to execute our right plans at the right time. If we keep losing wickets, it is not easy to chase,’ she added.

Athapaththu praised the bowling of Inoka Ranaweera (4/46), whom she said bowled really well, and Udeshika Prabodhani (2/55) because of her experience. The rest struggled a little bit.

Ranaweera, in particular, caused some sort of panic in the Indian dressing room when she dismissed the heart of their batting – Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur – in one over as they slid from 120-2 to 124-6.

‘I had good support from the wicket-keeper, Captain, and the bowling unit in taking those wickets,’ said Ranaweera.

On Sharma’s knock and their fielding, Ranaweera said: ‘We knew her [Deepthi’s] strength and we planned how to bowl to her, but in the execution, some changes took place and she was able to come on top today. We did well in our fielding, but in some areas, we made mistakes. I don’t think that was the turning point, but if we had done what we were expected to do, that would have given us the opportunity to win.’

Sri Lanka’s next opponents will be defending champions Australia at home. Ranaweera said: ‘A lot of positives came out of the match for us both in the batting and bowling to move forward. We have to take the positives to our next game against Australia. To win, you need only moment in the game. We will go with the determination of winning it.’

Athapaththu said: ‘We have to think about our performance today. We have to talk [with the coaches] and maybe reset our plans. We are calm, and I still have faith in my youngsters because they have won more games for us. I know the mistakes we made. If we can reset these plans, I know we can bounce back.’

‘[Our partnership] was a turning point,’ said Player of the Match Sharma. ‘Back-to-back wickets were falling so we wanted to have a long partnership. The things that we had planned, we executed it. There was no pressure at all because I am used to these types of innings and situations. I have played it in the past, and that partnership with Amanjot was important. I do not feel pressure, I enjoy my batting.’

Sri Lanka and India travelled back to Colombo where they have matches at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium. On Saturday, Sri Lanka meets Australia and on Sunday, it will be the big clash between India and Pakistan.

World Children’s Day serves as a reminder that every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn and dream in a safe, supportive environment. In today’s digital age, the way children experience the world is vastly different from previous generations. While technology offers access to knowledge and creative tools, it also brings challenges that can impact emotional wellbeing, social behavior and cognitive development. The responsibility now lies with parents, educators and communities to strike a balance that encourages healthy digital interactions while preserving childhood creativity and emotional resilience.

Digital platforms have become integral to children’s education and recreation. Online learning tools, educational apps and interactive games help develop language, problem-solving and analytical skills. However, excessive screen time can affect attention spans, sleep patterns and emotional stability. Children may become more withdrawn, anxious or overstimulated if they do not have the right guidance on how to use technology in moderation. Therefore, establishing healthy screen time boundaries is essential. Structured schedules, offline hobbies and supervised usage can help children reap the benefits of digital access without losing touch with reality.

Creativity is another area deeply influenced by the digital world. On one hand, children can design art, animations and stories using online tools that were not available to earlier generations. They can express ideas globally and learn from diverse cultures and perspectives. On the other hand, constant exposure to fast-paced media may limit imaginative thinking if children are only consuming content rather than creating it. Encouraging activities like drawing, role play, reading and outdoor exploration fosters innovative thinking and emotional expression. Schools can integrate both digital and traditional creative methods to enhance learning experiences.

Emotional wellbeing is at the heart of healthy childhood development. Children need supportive relationships and positive environments to understand and manage their feelings. With cyberbullying, unrealistic online comparisons and social media pressures increasing, open communication between adults and children has become more important than ever. Parents and teachers must observe behavioral changes and create safe spaces where children can talk about their fears, challenges and dreams. Schools should incorporate emotional literacy programmes that teach children empathy, resilience, conflict resolution and self-awareness.

Another key aspect is parental involvement. Children often imitate adult behavior, especially regarding technology use. When families set aside tech-free times-such as during meals or before bedtime-they create an atmosphere of connection and conversation. Reading stories, spending time outdoors or playing board games strengthens bonds and enhances communication skills. Parents can also use digital platforms creatively by exploring educational content together with their children rather than leaving them unsupervised.

Communities and governments also play a vital role. Policies that ensure access to safe content, protect children’s data and regulate harmful media exposure are crucial. Public campaigns can raise awareness about the importance of emotional wellbeing and responsible digital habits. Schools and community centers can organize workshops for parents, teachers and students on cyber safety, creativity and mindfulness.

Ultimately, technology should be viewed as a tool-not a substitute-for human connection, imaginative play and emotional development. Children deserve environments where curiosity is encouraged, mistakes are accepted as learning opportunities and mental wellness is prioritized. On this World Children’s Day, let us commit to guiding the next generation with empathy and intention. By nurturing emotional wellbeing and creativity in a balanced digital landscape, we can empower children to grow into kind, confident and innovative individuals who will shape the future.