User:Abishe/sandbox

Kalalakshmi Devarajah

Waddington Mwayenga

Swiss embassy controversy

On 25 November 2019, a Sri Lankan Swiss embassy staff member who works in Colombo was reportedly abducted by unidentified men and was detained in their custody for an investigation. She was released on the same day after two hours of inquiry. The Swiss government immediately requested the Sri Lankan authorities to conduct inquiry regarding the probe.

Sri Lankan officials launched investigations regarding the alleged kidnapping and mentioned that the attack was possibly in relation to a former top police officer Nishantha de Silva who pledged asylum from Switzerland. The issue has become a significant diplomatic standoff between the two countries with Sri Lanka accusing Switzerland of throwing mud. Switzerland government further stated that it will take the issue seriously and called the attack on the employee as unacceptable which would affect the diplomatic ties between the nations.

Development

The issue became a prime focus after Nishantha Silva, a top police officer who was known for inquiring high profile cases since 2015 had reportedly fled to Switzerland with his family in order to seek asylum following the conclusion of the 2019 Sri Lankan presidential election where Gotabaya Rajapaksa emerged victorious. Nishantha de Silva is believed to have received death threats and left the country without proper permission.

On 25 November 2019, the local embassy employee was dragged into a car by a gang of unknown men to obtain information related to Swiss embassy and information about Nishantha de Silva. Kidnapped woman was forced to disclose the mobile phone data of Sri Lankan citizens who applied for asylum in Switzerland. On the same day she returned to the embassy with minor injuries during her abduction. Newly appointed Major General Kamal Gunaratne met with the ambassador for Switzerland in Sri Lanka and explained the results of the investigation. The Government of Sri Lanka rejected the request from Swiss authorities to send one of its staff members to Switzerland for medical treatment.

In December 2019, the Sri Lankan magistrate court ordered the embassy staff worker to remain in Sri Lanka for inquiries and blocked the staff member from leaving the country until 9 December 2019. However Swiss government stated that the health of the woman deteriorated and further stated that the inquiry would be unfair.

Glenn Maxwell

Maxwell set a plethora of records during his knock of 201* against Afghanistan in a group stage match of the 2023 Cricket World Cup. He was hailed by fans and critics who insisted that he played out of his skin to help Australia register an unlikely victory from being put on the backfoot by Afghanistan early on in the Australian batting innings. His ODI innings was also hailed by many as the "Greatest ever innings in the history of ODI cricket by long way".

Maxwell suffered cramps and injury concerns during the course of his knock. He was not able to rotate the strike to score singles and doubles and hence he decided to smash the bowlers onslaught by hitting fours and sixes with his injured legs being unable to move from his batting position during the innings. His double century propelled Australia to a semifinal spot with one game still remaining for Australia in the World Cup. Maxwell also faced hat-trick delivery from Azmatullah Omarzai off his very first ball which deflected off his bat edging towards the wicketkeeper but the ball bounced well before being carried by the keeper. He also faced lifeline when he was on 33 with Mujeeb Ur Rahman dropping his catch at point and it eventually dubbed as "Afghanistan dropped the World Cup".

His monumental knock of 201* which consisted of 21 fours and 10 sixes is also the highest individual score by an Australian in an ODI match surpassing the previous best by Shane Watson who made 185* against Bangladesh in 2011. He also became the second fastest ever to score a double century in ODI cricket behind Ishan Kishan, as he completed the double hundred with a winning six to seal the deal for Australia facing 128 deliveries. He also scored the fastest ever World Cup double century. He became the first batsman to score a double century in an ODI run chase and broke Shane Watson's record for the highest individual score in a successful run chase in ODI cricket. He also surpassed Fakhar Zaman's record for the highest ever individual score by a batsman in the second innings of an ODI match. He also became only the third double centurion in the history of World Cups after Chris Gayle and Martin Guptill. Maxwell was also the first batsman to score a World Cup double century while batting second and also registered the highest individual score by an Australian in a World Cup match. He also became the first ever batsman to score a double century in ODI history while batting at number 6 or lower down the order which also eventually broke Kapil Dev's record of 175* for the highest individual score in ODI history while batting at no. 6 position or lower. His innings of 201* came in a run chase which was lesser than target of 300 and it was the first such instance where a batsman made a score of 200 or more in an ODI innings where the target was set less than 300 to chase. He also became the first ever middle order batsman as well as non-opener to score a double century in Cricket World Cup history.

He alongside captain Pat Cummins also shattered the previous record held by Zimbabwean pair Dave Houghton and Iain Butchart for the highest ever eighth wicket partnership in the history of Cricket World Cup. Maxwell and Cummins shared an unbeaten stand of 202 and out of which Maxwell was the chief contributor with 179 runs meanwhile his partner Cummins also contributed 12 runs. Maxwell and Cummins batted together at a time Australia were reeling at precarious position with scoreboard pressure started to wobble Aussies when they lost 7 wickets for just 91 runs with still 201 runs were needed to chase the target of 292.