South Africa Archives - Ceylon Independent

South African Paralympian Pistorious Released on Parole after serving 11 years for murder

5Jan

By Ceylon IndependentNo Comments

Main Story, The World, Top Story

South African Paralympian Pistorious Released on Parole after serving 11 years for murder

Oscar Pistorius has been released from prison on parole, after serving nine years in prison for murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, South Africa’s correctional services department has said. Pistorius – a former Paralympic and Olympic athlete - shot the 29-year-old model dead through a locked bathroom door on Valentine’s Day in 2013. He will be subject to correctional supervision until his sentence ends in 2029. Pistorius is expected to live at his uncle’s home in Waterkloof, an upmarket suburb of South Africa’s capital Pretoria, and to attend programmes on gender-based violence and anger management. He will not be allowed to drink alcohol, and will have to get permission to travel or take up employment, which makes it unlikely he will return to the running track soon. In a s...

Rights group lists 280 names of war missing in Sri Lanka

16May

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL, Main Story

Rights group lists 280 names of war missing in Sri Lanka

A human rights group has listed 280 names of people said to have gone missing during the final stages of the war in Sri Lanka. The South Africa based International Truth and Justice Project said that Sri Lanka’s Office of Missing Persons is duty bound to question war-time military leaders over hundreds of cases of enforced disappearance that took place on the final day of the civil war in 2009 if it wants to recover the truth about these cases. Among those who disappeared were at least 29 Tamil children, last seen with their families in the custody of the Sri Lankan Army on or around 18 May 2009 in what are regarded as classic cases of enforced disappearance in accordance with international law. “This is the largest single group of enforced disappearance in Sri Lanka’s history – h...

Spar continues expansion with entry into Sri Lanka

13Apr

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

Business

Spar continues expansion with entry into Sri Lanka

SPAR International, the world's largest food retail voluntary chain, today announced the brand's entry into the Sri Lankan retail market. SPAR Sri Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, a partnership between SPAR South Africa and Ceylon Biscuits Limited has announced ambitious plans to open 50 new SPAR stores in Sri Lanka by 2023 primarily by developing independent SPAR retailers. With the opening of SPAR in Sri Lanka, SPAR International celebrates the launch of the brand in 6 countries across Asia and the 48th country worldwide. The newly established SPAR Sri Lanka benefits from the globally renowned SPAR Brand, providing shoppers with an international shopping experience adapted to local needs. The partnership was launched at an official opening of the first SPAR Supermarket in Colombo on the 6th...

Australian ball-tampering: Darren Lehmann to quit as Australia coach

29Mar

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

World

Australian ball-tampering: Darren Lehmann to quit as Australia coach

Darren Lehmann is to quit as head coach of Australia at the end of the current Test series against South Africa. The 48-year-old will step down after the final Test in Johannesburg, which starts on Friday, in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal. Lehmann, who was cleared of any wrongdoing by Cricket Australia, had said on Wednesday he would not resign. Former skipper Steve Smith plus batsmen David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were banned for their part in the scandal. Lehmann made his decision after watching Smith and Bancroft deliver emotional apologies at news conferences earlier on Thursday. "After viewing Steve and Cameron's hurting, it's only fair that I make this decision," said Lehmann, who was contracted until the 2019 Ashes. "I'm ultimately responsible for the cultur...

Only Five Countries to play Test Cricket in next Ten Years, Says Pietersen

24Feb

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

SPORTS

Only Five Countries to play Test Cricket in next Ten Years, Says Pietersen

Former Maverick England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has made a rather bold statement that in next 10 years’ time, only a handful of nations will be left playing test cricket. He feels a decade from now, only teams likes India, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa and England will be the five nations that will be participating in Test cricket. "Here we go - in 10yrs the only cricket Test playing nations will be, England, SA, India, Pakistan & Australia. The rest will all be white ball cricketers! Just remember this tweet!" he wrote on his twitter handle. Interestingly, he left out teams like New Zealand, Sri Lanka and West Indies as he pointed towards a future the game, which will be radically different from today's time, according to him. His opinion has come just few hour after En...

Jacob Zuma resigns as South Africa’s president on eve of no-confidence vote

15Feb

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

World

Jacob Zuma resigns as South Africa’s president on eve of no-confidence vote

Jacob Zuma, the president of South Africa, has resigned after days of defying orders from the ruling African National Congress to leave office and on the eve of a no-confidence vote in parliament. In a televised address to the nation late on Wednesday, the 75-year-old said he was a disciplined member of the ANC, to which he had dedicated his life. “I fear no motion of no confidence or impeachment … I will continue to serve the people of South Africa and the ANC. I will dedicate my life to continuing to work for the execution of the policies of our organisation,” Zuma said. “No life should be lost in my name. The ANC should never been divided in my name. I have therefore come to the decision to resign as president of the republic with immediate effect.” The resignation ended an ...

South Africa Zuma: Gupta family home raided by police

14Feb

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

World

South Africa Zuma: Gupta family home raided by police

South Africa's elite police unit have raided the home of the controversial Gupta family as the investigation into so-called state capture continues. Three people have been arrested so far, including one of the brothers, with two other people expected to hand themselves in, police said in a statement. The Gupta family have been accused using their friendship with President Jacob Zuma to wield enormous political influence for their business interests. They all deny the allegations. The raid comes as Mr Zuma faces increased pressure to resign, in part because of links to the Guptas. He is expected to respond later today to a formal request from the African National Congress (ANC) to step down. The Hawks, South Africa's priority crime unit, confirmed they were searching the Gup...

South Africa: more than 950 gold miners trapped underground

3Feb

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

World

South Africa: more than 950 gold miners trapped underground

Hundreds of gold miners were stuck underground in South Africa on Thursday after a power cut, the mine’s owner said, though the workers were not reported to be in immediate danger. The Sibanye-Stillwater mining company said a massive power outage caused by a storm had prevented lifts from bringing the night shift to the surface at the Beatrix gold mine, near the city of Welkom. “We have got 955 employees still underground, they are in a confined and safe area, it’s the shaft waiting area (and) there is ventilation, we are supplying them with water and food,” James Wellsted, spokesman for Sibanye-Stillwater, told AFP. “So everybody is fine at the moment. We are trying to restore power so we can start hoisting them to the surface,” he said, speaking on the phone from the mine. He...

Train crash in South Africa : bodies burnt beyond recognition

6Jan

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

World

Train crash in South Africa : bodies burnt beyond recognition

South African passenger train has caught fire after colliding with a truck, rescue workers state that at least 18 were killed while injuring 268. Free State Health Department spokesman Mondli Mvambi has stated that some of the bodies were “burnt beyond recognition”. According to a video footage that caught the crash, the fire blazed through at least one carriage, near a crushed car and an overturned truck, while evacuated passengers were seen standing on the roadside with luggage. A passenger has explained that the collision occurred near Kroonstad city in Free State province, after the truck failed to stop at a crossing. It was further noted that around 700 people were on the train when it was hit by the truck.

Sri Lanka requests global toxic pollution reduction at UNEA session

10Dec

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Sri Lanka requests global toxic pollution reduction at UNEA session

The 3rd Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) held from 4th to 6th December 2017, unanimously approved two important resolutions co-sponsored by Sri Lanka that called upon the global community to reduce toxic pollution sources that impact negatively on the environment, oceans and human health. The Sri Lanka delegation led by Anura Dissanayake, Secretary, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, made several important interventions during the UN Assembly Sessions and joined UNEP’s “Clean Seas Campaign,” alongside Chile, Oman and South Africa. UNEP’s Scientific Division team commended Sri Lanka for taking effective measures for reducing vehicle emissions and for improving the air quality in urban areas, in comparison to countries in the region. Mr....