Joint Opposition appoints Shadow Cabinet

The Joint Opposition announced its ‘Shadow Cabinet’ during a meeting in Parliament today.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was appointed Prime Minister and given the portfolio of Buddha Sasana and Defence as well.

Some of the other appointments to the 'Shadow Cabinet' were:


Education - Dullas Alahapperuma

Finance - Bandula Gunawardana

Foreign Affairs – Namal Rajapaksa

Highways – Chamal Rajapaksa

Local Government and Provincial Council – Ranjith de Zoysa

Ports and Shipping – Kumara Welgama

Labour – Gamini Lokuge

Rural Industries – S. M. Chandrasena

A Shadow Cabinet is an alternate government in which members of the opposition mark Cabinet members in order to 'shadow' them, criticise their policies and actions, and offer alternate solutions.

Women who take aspirin before sex are more likely to give birth to a baby boy

External harmful factors, such as stress, pollution or smoking around conception have been associated with a reduction in the number of males, and suggest male embryos are more vulnerable for some reason.

Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory used to treat pain, fever and inflammation. Several small trials have shown that it increases the pregnancy rate among women undergoing IVF.

In the latest study, researchers at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in the U.S. gave 1,228 women who had a history of miscarriages a low-dose aspirin to take before sex or a placebo pill (folic acid) for as long as they were attempting to get pregnant.

Thirty-one per cent on aspirin had a boy, compared to 23 per cent on the placebo. And those on aspirin who had boys had reduced inflammation, suggesting the drug had an effect.

Aspirin before conception seems to ensure the chance of a male embryo being rejected is reduced, says Professor Simon Fishel, president of CARE Fertility clinics.

‘It is a very interesting conclusion and more studies are needed to confirm if it is a potential solution to the apparent excess of female babies for women with evidence of inflammation.

‘Importantly, it relates only to women who have had miscarriages and evidence of inflammation. It does not have any bearing on sex ratios in normal conceptions where aspirin will not increase the chances of having a boy.’

Wildlife Dept. officer dies in clash with hunter

An officer attached to the Wildlife Department died in a clash with hunters, this morning.

The Wildlife Department said the shooting occurred in Walsapugala, Hambantota.

The officers were on a sting operation to nab hunters poaching wild meat to tourists, in the early hours of this morning, when the incident occurred.

One hunter was captured but the other made his escape. The Wildlife officer was gunned down by the hunter while giving chase.

All-Island Wildlife Officers' Association Chairman Chaminda Priyalal Attanayake said the current situation posed danger to the lives of Wildlife officers.

Jacqueline Fernandez on ‘Don 3’ role

Actress Jacqueline Fernandez has denied rumours that she has been roped in to play a key role in ‘Don 3.’

When asked about the buzz around her participation in the film, Jacqueline told IANS: “I just came back to Mumbai last night and this news has been doing rounds. I don’t know where it is coming from because I have not spoken to anyone remotely close to ‘Don’ team. It’s false news.”

There were reports that Jacqueline Fernandez will step into Priyanka Chopra’s shoes for ‘Don 3.’

The Times of India

ICC agrees to compensate Kusal Perera

Sri Lanka's 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera will be compensated for being 'wrongly" suspended for the doping charges, it is reliably learnt here.

According to the highly placed sources in Edinburgh, where the ICC's Annual Conference is taking place (first time being held in Scotland), the ICC Board Members have unanimously agreed in principle to compensate the player.

In May this year, the ICC withdrew the disciplinary proceedings against Kusal Perera under ICC Anti-Doping Code after Qatar Laboratory revoked the original Adverse Analytical Finding against Perera.

"Perera has incurred a cost of more than 500,000 pounds towards administrative legal costs for this case and the entire sum will be compensated," the highly-placed source revealed.

"Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board president Thilanga Sumathipala will be negotiating the damages too," the source further added.

Despite repeated attempts, Sumathipala was not available for comments.

However, the SLC board would also seek for the "loss of opportunity" for the player and the money for losing his peace of mind and also the team suffered for Perera's non-availability for the team during the suspension period, it is also learnt. 

The WADA-accredited laboratory in Qatar has been suspended. SLC will also gain ICC support to claim further damages from the WADA.

After being released from the suspension, Perera has joined the squad in England.

new CB Governor receives letter of appointment

Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy received his letter of appointment from the President a short while ago. President Maithripala Sirisena announced him the new Governor of the Central Bank, on Saturday.

CID arrests Sajin Vass Gunawardena

Former UPFA Parliamentarian Sajin Vass Gunawardena was arrested, a short while ago. The arrest was made by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). 

Police sources said the former MP was arrested in connection with alleged fraud involving a property in Colombo. He will be produced before court shortly

Ishara Sandamini's First Wedding Anniversary

Pix By Gayani Batz Media Crew ISHARA & ANURA - 1st Wedding Anniversary