Entertainment

In a stirring start to the ICC Women’s World Cup, Sri Lanka’s national anthem, “Sri Lanka Matha”, was delivered with solemn pride by singer Nuwandhika Senarathne, drawing widespread praise and emotional response from spectators and commentators alike.

The anthem performance came before the opening match between India and Sri Lanka at Barsapara Stadium, adding a poignant tone to the ceremony that also featured performances honouring the late Assamese icon, Zubeen Garg

 https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/womens-cricket-worldcup-2025/videos/sri-lanka-players-sing-national-anthem-with-pride-cwc25

The seven actors in Aruna Jayawardene's film 'Maria' have shared the award for the best leading actor in feature length films at the 6th Hanoi International Film Festival.

They are the late Darshan Dharmaraj, Hemal Ranasinghe, Mahendra Perera, Dasun Pathirana, Priyantha Sirikumar, Ashan Dias and Suran Dasanayake.

Director Jayawardena and actor Ranasinghe attended the awards ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam last night (12).

Selena Gomez has married music producer and songwriter Benny Blanco, announcing the news in an Instagram post showing the couple kissing and embracing on a lawn.

“My wife in real life,” Blanco responded to the post Saturday by the Grammy- and Emmy-nominated performer. Gomez wore a white halter bridal dress with floral flourishes, and Blanco wore a tuxedo and bow tie, both custom-made by Ralph Lauren.

Paparazzi had snapped photos of a massive outdoor tent and other preparations in the Santa Barbara area.

Friends in the entertainment industry and brands she’s linked to responded with heart emoji and congratulations. “Our Mabel is MARRIED,” said the account of her “Only Murders in the Building” series, and her Rare Beauty line of cosmetics posted: “so happy for you two.” Best wishes were also sent by Camila Cabello, Amy Schumer and others.

Blanco, 37, and Gomez, 33, met about a decade ago and got engaged at the end of last year. They worked together on the 2019 song “I Can’t Get Enough,” which also featured J Balvin and Tainy.

Among the songs he’s credited on as a writer and producer: Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” “Circus” by Britney Spears and Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger.”

Gomez, whose hits include “Calm Down,” “Good for You,” ’’Same Old Love” and “Come & Get It,” has been in the spotlight since she was a child. She appeared on “Barney and Friends” before breaking through as a teen star on the Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place.”

She earned awards nominations in recent years for her ongoing role alongside Martin Short and Steve Martin in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.” Gomez has a massive audience on social media with 417 million Instagram followers, the most for any woman on the platform.

(Source - AP News)

Actor Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, has died aged 72.

He also appeared in ITV detective drama Cracker and the James Bond films Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough.

In a statement, his agent Belinda Wright confirmed the actor died in hospital near Falkirk in Scotland.

She described Coltrane as a "unique talent", adding his role as Hagrid "brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world".

"For me personally I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client. As well as being a wonderful actor, he was forensically intelligent, brilliantly witty and after 40 years of being proud to be called his agent, I shall miss him.

"He is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell. They would like to thank the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert for their care and diplomacy.

Coltrane was made an OBE in the 2006 New Year's honours list for his services to drama and he was awarded the Bafta Scotland Award for outstanding contribution to film in 2011.

The Scottish star, whose real name is Anthony Robert McMillan, was born in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, in 1950.

Coltrane was the son of teacher and pianist Jean Ross and GP Ian Baxter McMillan, and was educated at independent school Glenalmond College in Perth and Kinross.

The actor's career began in 1979 in the TV series Play for Today, but he came to prominence in A Kick Up the Eighties, a BBC TV comedy series which also starred Tracey Ullman, Miriam Margolyes and Rik Mayall.

He also appeared in the 1983 ITV comedy Alfresco, with Fry, Emma Thompson, Siobhan Redmond and Hugh Laurie.

By 1987 he had a leading role in Tutti Frutti, about Scottish rock and roll band The Majestics, which also starred Emma Thompson and Richard Wilson. The year before he was in British crime film Mona Lisa, starring Bob Hoskins.

Coltrane gained further fame starring as criminal psychologist Dr Eddie "Fitz" Fitzgerald in the ITV series Cracker from 1993 to 1995 and in a special return episode in 2006.

The role secured him the Bafta award for best actor for three consecutive years from 1994 to 1996.

Arguably his best-known role came in the Harry Potter film series as he starred in all eight movies as Rubeus Hagrid alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.

In 2016, he starred in Bafta-winning Channel 4 drama National Treasure, with Dame Julie Walters, about a comic and TV host accused of sexual abuse of women.

Late last year he appeared in the Harry Potter reunion TV special, which reunited the cast, although JK Rowling was absent and featured only in archive video clips.

Coltrane appeared alongside Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, along with Helena Bonham Carter, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman and Ralph Fiennes.

(BBC)

Actor Sai Pallavi received backlash online for wearing a swimsuit during a beach vacation with her sister. Social media users questioned her choice in light of her traditional image on-screen. However, her fans defended her.

Actor Sai Pallavi, known for her portraying traditional characters in Indian cinema, has recently become the subject of social media debate after photos of her wearing a swimsuit during a beach trip surfaced online. The pictures, shared by her sister Pooja, prompted a wave of critical comments regarding her attire, with many questioning the contrast between her real-life choices and her on-screen image.

The controversy began when Pooja posted pictures from their beach vacation, captioned, "Beach high #sunkissed @saipallavi.senthamarai (sic)." The images, showing both sisters in swimsuits, quickly went viral, leading to a flurry of reactions online.

Several social media users criticised Sai Pallavi for opting to wear a swimsuit, with one comment reading, "So onscreen traditional Sai Pallavi wears a bikini in real life (sic)." Another added, "Hence proved she belongs to all so-called heroine keep aside of traditional wear." Another questioned, "If Sai Pallavi wears sleeveless & short dress visits beach then which actress will protect our Indian culture? Give, answer for this all Sai Pallavi fans?"

In response, fans and supporters defended Sai Pallavi's right to choose her own clothing. One user wrote, "That’s Ms. Pallavi’s wish, what she wants to wear. What you expect to wear under water?? A saree?? C’mon (sic)." Another stated, "People wear a swimsuit while swimming!! People can wear what they are comfortable with. It’s their choice. Stop intruding in other people’s lives. And Sai Pallavi ma’am told about her preferences (modest, not traditional, don’t over-exaggerate) in movies, not personal life. Everyone can do what they feel is right. You have no right to ask. It’s their choice. Even in personal life she is simple and modest only. And we respect her for the person she is!! (sic)"

Supporters consistently emphasised the distinction between an actor's professional roles and their private life. Messages of encouragement further stated, "To those few people. FYI, a swimsuit is used for swimming!! People can do what they want or whatever they are comfortable with. It’s their choice. You have no right to intrude."

While Sai Pallavi herself has not publicly commented on the criticism, her fans spoke on her behalf. On the work front, Pallavi will be seen next in 'Ramayana' and an untitled film with Junaid Khan.

(Source - Indiatoday)

Sri Lankan author, educator and taxonomist, Rohan Pethiyagoda has been awarded the coveted Linnean Medal for Zoology 2022, considered the ‘Nobel Prize for naturalists.’

This is the first time a Sri Lankan has won the medal, which has been awarded annually by the Linnean Society of London since 1888 to distinguished botanists and zoologists across the globe.

Pethiyagoda is the second Asian to win the medal.

Pethiyagoda is one of the country’s leading naturalists and a taxonomist on freshwater fish of Sri Lanka. He is also an accomplished researcher who has authored numerous books and articles on zoology.

After over 30 years in the film industry, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) has finally won his first National Film Award for Best Actor.

On Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu presented SRK with the award at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi. He received the honour for his performance in Atlee’s film Jawan, which released in September 2023.

Dressed in a black suit, Khan appeared overjoyed at the event. His manager, Pooja Dadlani, also attended.

Shah Rukh had already been announced as the Best Actor winner in August and shared an emotional video expressing his gratitude to fans, his team, family, and colleagues.

“Thank you for honouring me with the National Award… Overwhelmed with the love showered upon me,” he said. He also thanked his Jawan team for their hard work and support, as well as his wife and children for understanding his dedication to cinema.

In Jawan, Shah Rukh played a dual role, blending action, emotion, and intensity, making the film one of the biggest hits of 2023.

The actor flew back from overseas where he is shooting his upcoming film King, in which he will share the screen with his daughter Suhana and Deepika Padukone.

Deepika expressed her excitement about working with Shah Rukh for the sixth time, sharing a heartfelt Instagram post about the lessons she learned from him during Om Shanti Om, nearly 18 years ago.

The duo’s past hits include Om Shanti Om, Chennai Express, Happy New Year, Pathaan, and Jawan, proving once again their strong on-screen chemistry.

Veteran Sri Lankan actor Wilson Karunaratne has passed away at the age of 79, family sources told Ada Derana.

Fondly known as ‘Wilson Karu’, Karunaratne was also a stunt director.

He was also considered one of the best villains in Sinhala cinema.

Karunaratne, who made his movie debut through ‘Hadawath Naththo’ (1974) as a stuntman, has acted in more than 200 movies.

The makers of Spider-Man: Brand New Day have temporarily halted production after lead star Tom Holland was injured during filming.

As reported by The Sun, the 29-year-old actor sustained a concussion when a stunt sequence went wrong and was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026. The cast also includes Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Sadie Sink, and Liza Colón-Zayas.

Holland began shooting the project early last month and marked the occasion with a social media post showing himself in costume, captioned: “Are you ready? – 7.31.2026.”

In addition to reprising his web-slinging role, Holland is set to appear in Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film The Odyssey, based on Homer’s legendary Greek epic. The story follows Odysseus’ long and perilous journey home from the Trojan War, confronting mythical beasts and divine retribution along the way.

The Odyssey arrives in theatres on July 17, 2026, boasting a star-studded lineup that includes Matt Damon, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Anne Hathaway, and Charlize Theron.

The Sri Lankan film ‘The Newspaper’ has won the award for the best Asian film for 2020 at the 13th Bengaluru International Film Festival.

There were 332 screenings of over 200 films from 55 countries during the week-long festival.

Governor of Karnataka state Thaawar Chand Gehlot presided over the event and presented the awards.

Co-directed by Sarath Kothawalawa and Kumara Thirimadura, ‘The Newspaper’ was produced by minister Bandula Gunawardena along with Ravindra Guruge and H.D. Premasiri.

It stars both directors Kothalawala and Thirimadura in lead roles while Gihan Fernando, Dharmapriya Dias and Pubudu Chathuranga are in supporting roles.

lkMusic is composed by Gayathri Khemadasa.

The Luna-25 probe, Russia’s first Moon mission in almost 50 years, has crashed on the Moon after an incident during pre-landing manoeuvres, Russian space agency Roscosmos said on Sunday.

Communication with Luna-25 was lost at 2:57 pm (1157 GMT) on Saturday, Roscosmos said.

According to preliminary findings, the lander “has ceased to exist following a collision with the Moon’s surface”, Roscosmos said. “Measures taken on August 19 and 20 to locate the craft and make contact with it were unsuccessful.” The space agency said an investigation would be launched into the causes of the crash, without giving any indication of what technical problems might have occurred.

With Luna-25, Moscow had hoped to build on the legacy of its Soviet-era Luna programme, marking a return to independent lunar exploration in the face of growing isolation from the West.

The 800-kilogram Luna-25 probe was to have made a soft landing on the lunar south pole, the first in history.

Russia has not attempted to land on a celestial body since 1989, when the Soviet Union’s ill-fated Phobos 2 probe to explore the moons of Mars failed due to an onboard computer malfunction.

Roscosmos boss Yuri Borisov had said the venture would be “risky”, telling President Vladimir Putin face to face in June that the probability of it succeeding was “around 70 percent”.

Source - AFP

--Agencies

The Indian government has decided to give a state funeral and observe a two-day national mourning on the demise of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, two days of state mourning will be observed today and tomororw.

"During state mourning, the national flag will be flown at half-mast both days throughout India and there will be no official entertainment.”

It has also been decided that state funeral will be given to her in Mumbai today.

India's Melody Queen passed away this morning at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, where she had been admitted because of Covid-related.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and all political leaders have expressed their condolences over her demise.