Herath bowls Sri Lanka to historic victory

Tonight, Sri Lanka are gonna party like it's 1999.

Specifically, like it's September 11, 1999, the only other date on which they beat Australia in a Test.

That victory came in Kandy with an XI full of Sri Lankan greats - Aravinda de Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas. This win, up the road in Pallekele, is all the more remarkable for the dearth of such legends. Then again, it could be the making of some new ones.

Kumar Sangakkara never played in a win over Australia, and the retirements of Sangakkara and Jayawardene seemed to mark the end of an era for Sri Lanka. And yet, from the depths of seventh on the Test rankings they have found a way to overcome the No.1 team in the world. Excitingly, new men played major roles. Kusal Mendis, in his seventh Test, turned the game with his jaw-dropping 176. Debutant Lakshan Sandakan claimed seven wickets with his left-arm wrist-spin.

But there was one link to the previous win: Rangana Herath was there in Kandy in 1999, a 21-year-old sitting in the rooms, waiting for a Test debut that would come in the next match in Galle. Seventeen years later, a 300-wicket bowler whose hair is flecked with grey, Herath played a key role in securing this win. His nine wickets in the match including 5 for 54 in the second innings and, fittingly, he claimed the wicket that sealed the game.

Steve O'Keefe, who had stacked up more blocks than Legoland, leaned forward and tried to flick Herath through leg, only to be bowled for 4 from 98 deliveries. The Sri Lankans were jubilant. They had beaten not only Australia but the weather; the looming threat of bad light had hovered overhead as the afternoon wore on, as O'Keefe and Peter Nevill compiled a partnership of incredible fight.

Australia's penultimate pair batted together for 178 balls for just four runs, a boundary scored by O'Keefe, whose hamstring injury prevented him from running. There were so many dots the scorecard could have been diagnosed with chicken pox, but as they accumulated it was the Sri Lankans who began to feel sick. Would this opportunity slip away? In the end, it was Dhananjaya de Silva who broke the stand, when Nevill flashed outside off and was caught behind for 9 off 115 balls.

Until then, everything had conspired against Sri Lanka. In the 79th over, O'Keefe survived a huge shout for caught at bat-pad off de Silva; Richard Kettleborough turned the appeal down, but replays showed a thick inside edge. Sri Lanka, though, were out of reviews. Two overs later, the reviews were replenished, and soon O'Keefe was given out lbw by Kettleborough. His own review, though, this time showed an inside edge, and he was reprieved.

In the end, it didn't matter. Herath led Sri Lanka to victory, his threat ever-present, his mastery of flight, his persistent accuracy and subtle variations forcing intense concentration from Australia. The only occasions on which Australia looked vaguely comfortable in their chase of 268 were the times when Herath was being rested from the attack. And captain Angelo Mathews ensured that such times did not last very long.

The eventual margin of 106 runs is all the more extraordinary when you consider the way this match began. Sri Lanka were skittled for 117 in the first innings and early in their second were 6 for 2, in real danger of a humiliating innings defeat. They still needed 80 runs just to make Australia bat again. But Mendis walked to the crease and from then on, it was a different game. His hundred, only his second in first-class cricket, will go down as one of Sri Lanka's greatest.

And just as Mathews will join Jayasuriya as the only Sri Lanka captains to beat Australia in a Test, so Steven Smith will now sit alongside Steve Waugh as the only Australians to lead their side to defeat against Sri Lanka. Notably, this was also Australia's first Test loss under Smith's captaincy, and their first for nearly a year, since England triumphed at Trent Bridge last August.

Smith worked his backside off to prevent it, his 55 in the second innings the only example of an Australian passing fifty in this Test. It was a watchful innings that featured only one boundary, but he had precious little help. Sri Lanka's spinners were relentless in applying pressure. In the end, that was enough. Sri Lanka had won a Test blighted by rain and bad light, a constant irritant exacerbated by Sri Lanka Cricket's refusal to use the floodlights.

The fifth morning began late due to rain and it started with Sri Lanka needing seven wickets and Australia requiring 185 runs. There was plenty of turn on offer for Sri Lanka's spinners but that should be the case on the fifth day of a Test; this was far from a bad pitch, and the conditions could not be blamed for the low scores.

It took only until the eighth over of the day for Sri Lanka to strike, when Adam Voges advanced to Herath and chipped back to the bowler on 12. Despite a muted reaction from the Sri Lankans, the third umpire was consulted and discovered that it had not in fact been a bump ball, as appeared to be the case live, and Voges was caught and bowled.

Smith and Mitchell Marsh put on 43 for the fifth wicket, a partnership that might have given Australia some hope of gaining sight of the target, but Herath was again the man who broke the stand when he straightened one just enough to trap Marsh lbw for 25. Next over, Smith was given out caught behind off a Sandakan wrong'un but confidently asked for a review, which found clear daylight between bat and ball.

Another over later Smith was again given out, and this time his review was forlorn. He was almost off the ground in resignation when the verdict came through. Again, Herath from around the wicket had straightened one just enough to trap the batsman dead in front. The loss of Mitchell Starc for a duck in the next over - he chipped a return catch to Sandakan - left Australia hoping for afternoon rain or bad light to allow them to escape with a draw.

The loss of Nathan Lyon soon after lunch, lbw to a big-turning wrist-spinner from Sandakan, seemed to put Sri Lanka on the brink. But then came the Nevill-O'Keefe blockathon. Australia's hopes were raised, only to be dashed again. Sri Lanka had their second win over Australia, and their first against any team in Pallekele. They can now dream of wrapping up the series in the second Test in Galle, where spin typically plays an even greater role.

But that is for next week. For tonight, they celebrate a victory of great significance.

VAT Bill in parliament on Aug. 11

"The government will present the VAT Bill in parliament on August 11 despite the court case pending against the proposed legislation. The delay in presenting the Bill in parliament has hampered the government in reaching its revenue targets, Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy said.

"This delay being a court case, after August 11 we will be able to catch up revenue targets when the VAT comes into force, Coomaraswamy told a media briefing which was organized by the Central Bank yesterday. The event was held at the Central Bank auditorium, Colombo.

He said when the government's revenue targets are achieved there will be high credit growth in both the private and public sectors.

The Governor also said the government will raise policy rates to 'lean against' them in case fiscal slippages occur from a delayed value added tax hike.

A higher than expected credit expansion and strong growth could be expected.

"Sri Lanka would still grow at 5.0 percent or more after policy rates are hiked 50 basis points to 8.5 percent, he said."A suspension of value added tax legislation by the courts could undermine, both; revenue collection and 2.0 percent gross domestic growth correction this year."Early indications on growth were also strong, based on tourist earnings, remittances, domestic industry and services, Coomaraswamy said.

"The transformation of monetary policy has provided some easiness to the private sector to expand its financial policy. Therefore, it was possible to record a high credit growth rate in the private sector.

"Monetary policy has been tightened as a way forward in case of a slippage of monetary policy, where balance of payment issues are concerned, the Governor explained.

"Further, the CBSL, as a way forward, adopted a policy to maintain excess capital for the next five years in order to pay government debt services and to also iron out the uncertainty in the fiscal situation in the country, he said.

"Measures have been taken to rectify import duty charges, which went up in an unsustainable manner during the last many months.

"Last year the country's imports were increased to unsustainable levels due to a high volume of vehicle imports, while exports declined considerably. This has resulted in a fiscal imbalance for the country, the Governor said.

Man Who stuck on top of tree Saves

A man who was stuck between two branches of a tree in the premises of a tea factory in Urubokka yesterday, was rescued by residents following a three hour operation. 

The 60-year-old man had climbed the tree to cut branches. A part of a branch he cut fell on him pinning him between two branches. Picture by Theja Vidyaroopa, Akuress group correspondent

Pada Yathra on 2nd day draws massive crowds

The Pada Yathra organised by the Joint Opposition from Kandy to Colombo against the government entered the second day yesterday (29). It resumed from Uthuwankanda, Mawanella at 10.30 am.

The protesters avoided the Mawanella bazaar ordered out of bounds for the procession by court.

The protestors carried banners with slogans such as "Stop the political witch hunt", "Don’t arrest soldiers", "Hold the postponed LG elections", "No foreign war crimes courts", "Stop removal of subsidies for people" and "Ninety two ministers; What’s is the difference".

A large number of people joined the walk enthusiastically yesterday.

Although the police had filed a petition seeking a ban the protesters walking through the Kegalle town, the judge on Thursday ordered the police to allow the protesters to use one lane of the road.

There was a massive crowd in the Kegalle town cheering and joining the Pada Yathra.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was present at the commencement of the Pada Yathra at a point outside the Mawanella town to greet a cheering crowd. The walk proceed to Kegalla amidst cheering and greeting of residents along the highway.

A policeman handed over to MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage a copy of an interim injunction obtained by the police restricting the protesters to use only one lane and they complied with the court decision.

On the second day, the JO supporters walked from Uthuwankanda to Nelumdeniya. UPFA MPs Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Udaya Gammanpila, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Gamini Lokuge, P. B. Ratnayake, Namal Rajapaksa and Wimal Weerawansa also took part in the protest march.

Some People greedy for power Go 'Pada yathra'

President Maithripala Sirisena said if former leaders performed their duties and governed properly, there would not be a need for them to undertake long marches for political purposes, hurting their feet.

The President said so at a ceremony at the Mawanella Provincial Council auditorium yesterday to distribute computers to 50 pirivenas and churches in the Kegalle district.

“Though some people greedy for power walk along roads aimlessly, the government is committed to build the country by working with consciousness and discipline,” the President said.

“Today, the country is suffering from a debt burden of Rs. 9,000 billion. The new government has to face the challenge of an unbearable burden of debts, created by the former government,” he said.

“After being in the office of Presidency once, I don’t want to participate in marathon walks seeking power again. I will execute my duties properly during the tenure of my office,” President Sirisena said.

The President symbolically handed over the computers to religious leaders.

Later, the President participated in a ceremony to introduce the concept of Langama pasala Hondama pasala at Mederigama Vidyalaya, Mawanella.

Under this programme, two selected schools in provincial level will be developed and the aim of the programme is to limit the competition for popular schools among parents.

“Even though we proudly speak about development, more than 4,000 schools out of the total of 10,150 schools in the country do not have basic facilities,” the President said. “We need a proper management and an equitable distribution of material resources among all citizens to strengthen the fields of free education and health. The present government is committed to protect the right for equal opportunities of all the children of the country,” he added.

Ministers Kabir Hashim, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and Rauff Hakeem, State Minister Champika Premadasa and former Minister Athauda Seneviratne were among the participants.

Case against Dhammika Ranatunga amicably settled

The case against Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dhammika Ranatunga that he allegedly threatened the media in the premises of the Colombo High Court on March 16 was yesterday amicably settled before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

When the case came up before Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya, both parties expressed their willingness to settle the case.

At an earlier occasion, the matter was referred to the Mediation Board on the instructions of the Chief Magistrate.

Ranatunga had reportedly threatened several journalists including photo journalist Subramaniam Gunaratnam of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) when his brother Nishantha Ranatunga's bail application was to be taken up for order.

Filing a B report before Chief Magistrate Pilapitiya, Keselwatta Police had named the SLPA chairman as a suspect. Police alleged that he had committed an offence under section 486 of the Penal Code.

Photo journalist Gunaratnam had lodged a complaint with Keselwatta Police in this regard alleging that he was threatened with death by Ranatunga, when the photo journalist was taking video footage outside the court room.

Senior Counsel Asela Rekawa appeared on behalf of the complainant. The suspect had paid Rs. 200,000 to treat four critically injured patients following a request of the complainant.

New UK visa application launched in Colombo

Sri Lankans will now be able to apply for their UK visit visas, more easily thanks to a new online application form, British High Commission in Colombo says.

The new form, called Access UK, offers customers a number of benefits including a shorter form, with questions ordered logically, a mobile friendly format and the ability to download a pre-populated Schengen visa form, according to the British High Commission in Colombo. The form will also be available in more local languages making it easier for more customers to understand the visa format.

UK Visas & Immigration Regional Director for South and Southeast Asia, Nick Crouch said: "The UK remains committed to improving the visa service for customers and making it quicker and easier for customers to apply for UK visas.

"The new form, known as Access UK, successfully launched in China in 2014 and received excellent feedback from customers. We have further refined it and are now rolling it out globally. We look forward to hearing further feedback on the form, and hope that it will encourage more customers from Sri Lanka to visit the UK."

British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka James Dauris said: "The strong relationship between the UK and Sri Lanka is built on people to people links, including through business relationships and cultural exchange. The UK welcomes genuine visa applications and the new Access UK form will make the process of applying for a business or tourist visa quicker and easier."

Following the successful launch of Access UK in China in June 2014, UKVI is rolling it out globally to customers applying for visit visas.

Access UK is available at www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa. However the Visa4UK website will continue to be available for visitors and for applicants applying for visas on other routes.

Plans are underway to launch the form in Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati, Sinhalese and Bengali to make it easier for customers to apply, however answers will need to be provided in English."

Ambulance under attack at Jana Satana Pada Yatra

The 'Jana Satana Pada Yatra' organised by the Joint Opposition took an unexpected turn this afternoon when the protesters launched attack on an ambulance.

Video footage of the incident shows protesters hitting the sides of the ambulance, while Police try to mediate.

The 'Jana Satana Pada Yatra' commenced from Peradeniya this morning. The five-day protest march is due to end August 1.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, his son MP Namal Rajapaksa - on whom a warrant was issued in court this morning, and several MPs of the Joint Opposition are participating.