Tag: Srilanka

  • Pakistani qaum, yeh cricket hai bhei, racism check mein rakho

    Pakistani qaum, yeh cricket hai bhei, racism check mein rakho

    Sports brings pride and recognition to a country and for Pakistan, cricket is one of the most celebrated games. It brings both joy and heartache to millions of Pakistanis. With Pakistan and Sri Lanka playing the final of Asia Cup 2022, we wish both teams luck but we obviously want Pakistan to win! Pakistanis all around the world will be rooting for our boys in green. Cricket and our men in green are a source of continuous pride for the country but what we witnessed from the audience stands in the match between Pakistan and Afghanistan was nothing but disappointing at so many levels. The Afghanistan-Pakistan cricket rivalry is fast crossing the acceptable margins, even surpassing the age-old rivalry between India and Pakistan.

    Afghanistan and Pakistan faced each other in an important Asia Cup fixture in the Super Four round, where the stakes were too high. Afghanistan needed a win to keep their chances alive, while Pakistan needed to clinch this win to be in the final. Afghanistan was close to victory but the Pakistani team bounced back at the last minute, stealing the game away. The event witnessed some heated moments between Afghan and Pakistani players, charging up the spectators on both sides. Afghan fans purportedly indulged in verbal abuse and later ended up throwing seats at the Pakistani fans, prompting many observers to say the spirit of the game has been ‘tainted’. Sports fabs across the world sometimes show uncouth behaviour, be it cricket or football or any other game. It is always difficult to see one’s own side lose but it does not mean that fans of the winning team should be subjected to violence.

    While the cricketing rivalry between Afghanistan and Pakistan may be in its infancy, it has got all the ingredients for a heated contest courtesy the political history both countries share. After the disappointing scenes between the fans, there was an immense backlash against the Afghans. But the reaction of many Pakistanis was quite disappointing and downright racist. Pakistanis calling Afghans ‘namak haram’ — racist term often used to address Afghan refugees living in Pakistan — was not just uncalled for but also wrong. No one should have to bear verbal abuses and being called ungrateful or other names. Refugees deserve to be treated with dignity. This is what we also demand from western nations when it comes to Muslim refugees so why display racism against refugees in our own country? Also, to taunt an entire nation and another country because of the shenanigans of a few fans is just wrong. It is a game and one needs to accept both win and defeat with grace.

    We just hope that the teams and supporters watching the Asia Cup final today show resolve and grace. May the best team win.

  • Schools, offices closed for two weeks in Sri Lanka

    Schools, offices closed for two weeks in Sri Lanka

    Due to a fuel shortage, the Sri Lankan authorities on Friday announced a two-week shutdown of government offices and schools.

    “Taking into consideration the severe limits on fuel supply, the weak public transport system, and the difficulty in using private vehicles, this circular allows minimal staff to report to work from Monday,” said Sri Lankan Public Administration Ministry.

    However, essential employees will continue working.

    Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Education Ministry said on Thursday that schools will be closed for two weeks due to persistent power outages. However, the ministry said the schools should conduct online classes, if possible.

    Sri Lanka has been experiencing roughly 12- to 13-hour-long blackouts for months.

    Sri Lanka went into default on its $51 billion foreign debt in April and is currently negotiating a bailout with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

  • In Pictures: Priyantha Kumara buried in Sri Lanka with state honours

    In Pictures: Priyantha Kumara buried in Sri Lanka with state honours

    Sri Lankan manager, Priyantha Kumara, who was lynched and his body burnt by a mob in Sialkot on December 3, was buried in his native village in Sri Lanka on Wednesday with state honours.

    The Buddhist clergy performed his religious rituals before police led the procession along with Kumara’s family and friends. They carried a casket with his remains to the cemetery.

    Condolence banners and white flags that symbolise mourning were displayed along the roads.

    Buddhist Clerics are performing Religious Rituals
    The wife of Priyantha Kumara prays with children and family members during a funeral held in Srilanka

    Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan national was working as a manager in a factory located in Sialkot since 2010. He allegedly tore posters off a wall in the factory, which had religious text written on it. After taking down the poster, hundreds of people gathered, dragged him outside, killed him, and then burnt his body on Friday.

    The victim’s brother, Arunasiri Wasantha Kumara Diyawadana, who is also working in Pakistan at a garment factory as a technical director, said that factories should have a secure environment.

    He added, “That was not happening in this particular case.”

    He requested both governments to find the root cause of the incident, whether it is a religious or industrial dispute and they have to find the solution accordingly.

    Family members of Srilankan manager Priyantha Kumara carrying his casket to a cemetery during his burial in Colombo, Sri Lanka
    The mother of Priyantha Kumara crying in front of his casket
    Gavith, a son of Priyantha Kumara, places his father portrait on casket during burial
    The wife of Priyantha Kumura cries in front of his casket

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that from now on, no one will be spared who resorts to violence in the name of religion.

    PM Khan made these comments during an event that was being held to honor Malik Adnan who tried to save Kumura.

    The police have arrested more than 100 people involved, and one of the main culprits, Farhan Idrees has been arrested. Farhan gave an interview to local news channels, taking pride in the murder he committed.

  • Sri Lanka to ban Burqas in public

    Sri Lanka to ban Burqas in public

    Sri Lanka’s cabinet has recently approved a proposed ban on full-face burqas in public places due to national security concerns. According to Al-Jazeera, while talking to the media, the cabinet spokesperson said, “the cabinet has approved the proposal. It will now go to the legal draftsmen and then be brought to parliament,”

    The approval is unofficial for now but it could easily be passed as the government holds a majority in parliament.

    The announcement of the proposal was made last month by the current Cabinet Minister of Public Security, Sarath Weerasekara, stating that, “the burqa is something that directly affects our national security…this [dress] came into Sri Lanka only recently. It is a symbol of their religious extremism.” While the Minister said he had signed the documents outlawing the burqa, the move awaits Cabinet approval. Over 1,000 madrasas would be shut, he added.

    In response to this, last month, Pakistani Ambassador Saad Khattak tweeted that a likely ban on the niqab will only serve as injury to the feelings of ordinary Sri Lankan Muslims and Muslims across the globe. At today’s economically difficult time due to pandemic and other image related challenges faced by the country”.

    This has triggered concern domestically and among international actors. According to reports, this development was in consideration for a long time. The burqa was temporarily banned after the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings, when two local Muslim groups were blamed for the attacks at six locations.

  • ‘Cricketers’ fitness unsatisfactory,’ says team management

    ‘Cricketers’ fitness unsatisfactory,’ says team management

    Pakistan’s cricket team management is not satisfied with certain players’ fitness despite a dominating win against Sri Lankan team in the recently concluded Test match in Karachi, Cricket Pakistan reported.

    According to the details, the management told some players after the Karachi Test that they will have to improve their fitness levels.

    The management believes that players must have a premium fitness level in order to compete with other teams and be a contender for the upcoming 2020 International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup in Australia.

    The players are asked to report at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore on January 5 after which they will undergo their fitness test on January 6 and 7.

    The Men in Green are scheduled to play home Tests and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against Bangladesh beginning from late Janurary, however, the series is not yet confirmed are Bangaldesh is reluctunt to play matches in Pakistan.

    The captain for Test format Azhar Ali and T20I captain Babar Azam are currently participating in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam (QeA) Trophy final at the National Stadium, Karachi.

    The cricket team management has also decided to rest the two fast bowlers including Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah ahead of Bangladesh series.

  • Don’t compare me with Ahmed Shehzad: Umar Akmal

    Don’t compare me with Ahmed Shehzad: Umar Akmal

    Pakistan’s middle-order batsman Umar Akmal has said that it was not right to compare him with opener Ahmed Shehzad and asked to be assessed in an individual capacity, Cricket Pakistan reported.

    According to the details, Umar in a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday said, “I am usually associated and compared with Ahmed Shehzad, which is not right. We have different goals and identities”.

    He added that we have different roles and should be criticised or praised in our individual capacities.

    The 29-year-old batsman accepted the fact that his performance against Sri Lanka was below the required standard and vowed to make a comeback in the side.

    “It is not easy to make a comeback whatever team you play for. There is always pressure to solidify your place in the side. I can only say that I was unlucky to get out on the first ball against Sri Lanka. I could not perform well. I am working harder and I believe that the chief selector Misbahul Haq will give me another chance and I will not disappoint,” Umar said.

    Akmal praised the media for its role in the return of international cricket in Pakistan and expressed hope in the Pakistan Test side to deliver a good performance against Australia in their upcoming Test series Down Under.