CSE News Updates

Cricket: 'Clueless' Broad takes his second Test hat-trick LEEDS, June 20, 2014 (AFP) - Stuart Broad admitted he had no idea he had become the first England bowler to take two Test hat-tricks and just the fourth in all after he struck with three succesive balls against Sri Lanka at Headingley on Friday.The seamer, who had previously performed the feat against India at Trent Bridge in 2011, struck with the final ball of his 12th over to have Kumar Sangakkara well caught for 79 by Ian Bell in the gully.

The first ball of his next over saw Broad have Dinesh Chadimal caught at first slip by England captain Alastair Cook for 45. Next ball saw Shaminda Eranga caught behind by wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

But because the hat-trick had been split across two overs neither Broad nor his England team-mates realised what he had achieved until the public address announcer informed the crowd.

"I had no idea!," Broad told Sky Sports. "I was listening to the guy that came on the tannoy there and I was thinking 'why is he mentioning the last ball of the over before?', and it clicked that that might be a hat-trick."

Sri Lanka were eventually dismissed for 257 on the first day of the second Test on Friday after losing the toss.

Broad was only the fourth player in Test history to have twice taken a hat-trick after the Australian duo of Hugh Trumble (1901/02 and 1903/04) and Jimmy Matthews, who performed the feat twice in the same match against South Africa in Manchester in 1912, and Pakistan great Wasim Akram, who took hat-tricks in successive Tests against Sri Lanka in 1998/99.

Broad's latest hat-trick was only the second in all Tests since his last one following Sohag Gazi's for Bangladesh against New Zealand in 2013/14.

And it was also the 13th instance in total of an England bowler taking a Test hat-trick.

Broad's treble-strike deflected some attention away from Liam Plunkett's maiden five-wicket haul, with the fast bowler taking five for 64 on his Headingley home ground after Cook won the toss in initially overcast conditions.

But as the Leeds' skies brightened up, Sri Lanka checked England's progress with a sixth-wicket stand of 67 between Sangakkara and Chandimal before Broad removed the former to spark a rapid collapse.

"It was an excellent bowling performance all round, Liam's got the five wickets and Jimmy (Anderson, two for 49) tied an end up really well.

"There's always pressure when you win the toss and bowl, you sort of think it should be 200 all out, but we're pleased with 270 and to get off 15 overs early.

"We had an awkward hour or so there and I think that Sangakkara wicket was the big one," Broad added.

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Sri Lanka probes Muslim store fire as tensions rise COLOMBO, June 21, 2014 (AFP) - Sri Lankan police were investigating a fire which Saturday destroyed a Muslim-owned clothing store in a district where religious tensions have been heightened after anti-Muslim riots killed four people and wounded 80.Authorities have not ruled out arson at the upmarket No-Limit store in Panadura, 25 kilometres (16 miles) south of Colombo, police spokesman Ajith Rohana said.

"We are looking at the possibility of arson as well as an accidental fire," Rohana told AFP. "The fire started in the upper floor and we are still investigating."

The blaze came a day after Sri Lanka's Muslim minority shortened their Friday prayer services because of heightened religious tensions after clashes with hardline Buddhists earlier in the week in Kalutara district.

The district includes Panadura, and the popular and mainly Muslim coastal resorts of Alutgama and Beruwala, where religious riots earlier in the week killed four and wounded 80. Hundreds of homes and businesses were set on fire in the violence.

President Mahinda Rajapakse, who toured the riot-hit resort of Beruwala, said he was ordering a probe into "recent disturbances". "I will be appointing a high-level panel to inquire into recent disturbances," the President said on Twitter.

The president, who is a member of the Buddhist community, made no reference to the fire at No-Limit, but he had previously asked Buddhists and Muslims not to whip up extremism.

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka said Islamic clerics instructed mosques to conduct shorter services and asked the faithful to disperse peacefully after lunchtime prayers on Friday.

Muslim-owned businesses shut down in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo on Thursday to protest against the riots by extremist Buddhists, defying Rajapakse's plea to stay open.

Police said workers had carried out some electrical repair work at the No-Limit store the day before the blaze. There were six people at the store, including two unarmed guards at the time of the pre-dawn fire, he said.

Witnesses said they heard several explosions as the fire completely gutted the two-storey building.

Authorities tightened security in the area following the blaze.

In March last year, two Muslim-owned clothing stores, including No-Limit, came under attack from Buddhist mobs.

Muslims account for about 10 percent of the 20 million population in the mainly-Buddhist country.

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The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) said it was also boycotting parliament Wednesday as a protest against Colombo's failure to rein in a hardline Buddhist group widely accused of sparking the clashes.

Justice Minister and SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem told reporters Rajapakse's administration was at fault for letting the bloodshed escalate.

"We are convinced that the government did not do anything to prevent the violence against the Muslims," said Hakeem, who is the most senior Muslim in Rajapakse's cabinet.

Rajapakse, who was visiting Bolivia when the violence broke out, travelled to the resort region of Beruwala shortly after his return to the island and met local community leaders from both sides.

Hundreds of troops were deployed to help police after the extremist Buddhist Force, or BBS, marched in neighbouring Alutgama on Sunday, with clashes breaking out as it claimed its procession was stoned by Muslims.

At least four people were killed and nearly 80 seriously wounded, while dozens of homes, businesses and vehicles were torched, with violence spreading to Beruwala on Monday.

"I will get the military to help you rebuild your homes and shops," Rajapakse said, adding that he will hold an impartial inquiry.

Residents had complained that the authorities did little to stop the violence.

The president made no reference to the SLMC demands to allow two UN experts -- the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and the Special Rapporteur on minority issues -- to visit the island.

"The government has for some time denied them visas to enter the country. But there is an opportunity now for the government to demonstrate its bona fides and allow the two UN experts to come here and start an investigation," Hakeem said.

The minister spoke with reporters as police announced they had arrested 49 people -- both Buddhists and Muslims -- overnight.

- Islamic body urges action -

"We have already arrested 49 and remanded 25 of them and further arrests will take place today," police spokesman Ajith Rohana told AFP.

The 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation urged authorities to investigate and take action against those responsible.

OIC secretary general Iyad Madani said he hoped "every possible effort would be exerted by the Sri Lankan authorities to prevent a further escalation of violence".

"While appealing for calm and peaceful relations between the communities, Mr Madani urged the authorities to enforce the rule of law, investigate the incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice," an OIC statement said.

The attacks are the latest in a series of religious clashes to hit Sri Lanka following unrest in January and last year, when Buddhist mobs attacked a mosque in the capital Colombo.

Muslims make up about 10 percent of the 20 million population, but are accused by nationalists of having undue influence in the Buddhist-majority country.

The United States has led international condemnation of the violence, while Western embassies in Colombo have advised nationals holidaying in the area to stay indoors.

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Alastair Cook's new-look side were denied victory in the first Test at Lord's on Monday after Sri Lanka No 11 Nuwan Pradeep got through the final five balls of the match from Stuart Broad to ensure a draw for the tourists, who were nine wickets down.

There were some encouraging signs for an England side minus Kevin Pietersen, their all-time leading run-scorer across all formats, who was ditched from the national set-up following a 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia.

Joe Root scored 200 not out in the first innings while Gary Ballance's maiden Test century in the second got England, without former number three Jonathan Trott as he continues his comeback from a "stress-related illness", out of trouble on the fourth day.

Both Yorkshire batsmen will be on their home ground on Friday.

England fielded three debutants at Lord's, with all-rounder Chris Jordan the most impressive.

Australia-born opener Sam Robson was twice out cheaply while Moeen Ali, brought in following the retirement of off-spinner Graeme Swann, didn't take a wicket at Lord's on Monday's final day at Lord's -- not that surprising given he is primarily a batsman.

England do have an experienced spinner to call upon in Monty Panesar but the left-armer's somewhat chaotic personal life appears to be counting against him.

"Monty is the most experienced Test match bowler but through other issues he has made it very difficult to look at him at the moment as an option," said England coach Peter Moores.

But Tests at Headingley, where the ball swings if conditions are overcast, are usually decided by the faster bowlers.

Only one of the last 14 Tests at Yorkshire's headquarters has ended in a draw and England now know that, if they can get past Sri Lanka batting greats Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, they can spark a collapse.

- Poor Sri Lanka batting -

"I thought we batted poorly after tea (on Monday) especially," said Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews, who scored a first-innings hundred at Lord's.

"Their bowlers came in really hard, and asked questions of us, but we couldn't really handle it," the all-rounder added in a frank omission.

Someone who will hope to exploit that frailty at Headingley is England paceman Liam Plunkett, whose career has been rejuvenated since he moved to Yorkshire from Durham in 2012.

But Plunkett said it hadn't been so much the advice of White Rose coach Jason Gillespie, the former Australia seamer, that got him back into the England side at Lord's seven years after he played his last Test as a few well chosen words from forthright Yorkshire and England batting great Geoffrey Boycott.

"I met him when I first signed and he just said 'don't think, just bowl' and walked off," Plunkett said.

"That's all he said to me and I haven't spoken to him since, but it makes sense."

Meanwhile England will hope Cook and Ian Bell, in line to play his 100th Test, make big scores in Leeds.

Left-handed opener Cook has now gone 22 innings since compiling the last of his England record 25 hundreds -- 130 against New Zealand at Headingley in May last year.

"Leading from the front as a captain, you want to score runs - that's your job as a batter," Cook said.

England are set to field the same XI but Sri Lanka are o due to make at least one change, with Dinesh Chadimal poised replace wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene, who suffered a broken finger at Lord's.

And with Suranga Lakmal still sidelined by a hamstring tear, experienced but not especially penetrative seamer Nuwan Kulasekara could be dropped in favour of the quicker Dhammika Prasad, who bowled well in the tour match against Northamptonshire.

A slow over-rate hurt England at Lord's and Moores said: "We have already started to address that...We don't want to lose overs at all, because it can be costly."

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Sri Lanka should continue investments, improve skills, rule of law: ADB chief June 18, 2014 (LBO) - Sri Lanka should look at private partnerships to expand infrastructure, reform state enterprises and strengthen the investment climate by improving rule of law and governance, Asian Development Bank chief Takehiko Nakao said.Sri Lanka's government is investing about 6 percent of gross domestic product in physical infrastructure which was higher than some countries in the region, and was also fast rebuilding war-torn areas, he said.

Sri Lanka should look at public private partnership to continue physical infrastructure investments, Nakao said.

Sri Lanka's growth was also averaging 7 percent and in areas where a war ended in 2009 it was about double that, which was remarkable, he said. The ADB was forecasting a growth of 7.5 percent for 2014 and 2015 for Sri Lanka.

ADB was also backing the government efforts to improve skills of the labour force and also use the country's geographical location to become a logistics hub, he said.

Sri Lanka had also stable macro economic conditions now with low inflation, and stable exchange rate, which should be maintained, Nakao said.

Sri Lanka's inflation rose and the currency plunged in 2012 after the government subsidized energy with bank loans ultimately accommodated by the central bank credit in 2011.

To sustain growth Sri Lanka should improve its investment climate and facilitate trade and further improve rule of law and governance.

"Governance and rule of law is the basis of the investment climate," Nakao said responding to reporter's questions.

In its absence efforts will be spent on rent seeking will take place, he said. Nakao said Sri Lanka was making "serious efforts" to progress and the ADB will continue to support such efforts.

ADB says will place greater emphasis on human resource development such as education and skills training, while maintaining focus on infrastructure and private sector development.

By end 2013, ADB had given Sri Lanka 6.17 billion dollars in loans and 358 million US dollars in grants.

It had financed a breakwater for Colombo Port allowing its expansion as well as expressways, power, water and education.

Nakao said Sri Lanka's geographical location made it ideally placed to connect South East Asia, South Asia, Africa and Europe.

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Sri Lanka shares close down 0.2-pct June 20, 2014 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's shares closed 0.17 percent lower for the third straight session amid strong foreign selling, brokers said.The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed 10.75 points lower at 6,302.45, down 0.17 percent. The S&P SL20 closed 11.81 points lower at 3,478.86, down 0.34 percent.

Turnover was 1.21 billion rupees, up from 683.59 million rupees a day earlier with 93 stocks closed positive against 87 negative.

Amana Takaful closed flat at 1.80 rupees with two off-market transactions of 180.25 million rupees changing hands at 2.00 rupees per share contributing 15 percent of the turnover.

The aggregate value of all off-the-floor deals represented 47 percent of the daily turnover.

John Keells Holdings closed 1.40 rupees lower at 220.70 rupees with market transactions of 268.26 million rupees contributing 22 percent of the turnover.

JKH’s W0022 warrants closed 1.40 rupees higher at 60.50 rupees and its W0023 warrants closed 1.50 rupees higher at 70.60 rupees.

Ceylon Leather Products W0014 warrants closed 20 cents higher at 1.80 rupees, attracting most number of trades during the day.

Foreign investors bought 196.45 million rupees worth shares while selling 386.54 million rupees worth shares.

Sri Lanka Telecom closed 1.30 rupees lower at 46.60 rupees and Dialog Axiata closed flat at 10.40 rupees.

Asian Hotels and Properties closed 3.80 rupees lower at 67.20 rupees and Trans Asia Hotels closed 1.40 rupees lower at 96.50 rupees.

Commercial Bank closed 2.00 rupees lower at 133.00 rupees and Commercial Leasing and Finance closed 10 cents higher at 4.10 rupees.

Bukit Darah closed 12.00 rupees higher at 660.00 rupees and Indo-Malay closed 98.70 rupees higher at 1,800.00 rupees.

Ceylon Beverage Holdings closed 39.10 rupees higher at 548.10 rupees and Lion Brewery Ceylon closed 8.90 rupees higher at 443.90 rupees.

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Sri Lanka's Mattala airport speeds up refueling June 21, 2014 (LBO) - An aviation fuel hydrant and storage terminal at Sri Lanka's Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, has allowed it to refuel the largest aircraft in the world quickly, the state petroleum utility said.Ceylon Petroleum Corporation which has a monopoly of fuel supply at Sri Lanka's two international airports said the airport originally designed by China Harbhour Engineering Corporation (CHEC) did not incorporate a hydrant system.

CPC had negotiated with CHEC to build the hydrant system for 7.17 million US dollars.

The fuel terminal and a 1.2 kilometres of pipelines had been built by Amana Pipeline Construction LLC of UAE for 31.2 million US dollars after a competitive bidding, the CPC said.

It was time consuming to refuel large aircraft with refueling tankers of 30,000 litres. The Airbus A380 had a capacity of 310,000 litres, Antonov 124 needed 348,000, a Boeing 747 needed 216,000 litres and an Airbus A340-600 had a capacity of 150,000 litres.

The terminal will have three storage tanks of one million litres each.

The hydrant system was faster and safer than using refueling tankers allowing for faster turnaround, CPC said.

The designs were verified and approved by Germanischer Lloyd Colombo (Pvt) Ltd, a third party inspector, the utility said.

The terminal will be supplied by 33,000 litre road tankers from the common user fuel terminal in Kolonnawa in Colombo, until a tank farm at Hambantota port is ready.

A corridor to build a 32 kilometre pipeline has also been earmarked from the port to Mattala. It will be built when air traffic picks up.

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa is due to open the terminal on June 22.

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