Sri Lanka has welcomed the Indian announcement on evacuation of Sri Lankan nationals from Iran as the West Asia crisis intensifies. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka said, that this "This gesture exemplifies the spirit of regional solidarity&nbsp;and trusted friendship that our nationals have built over decades".&nbsp; This is not the first time India has evacuated nationals from neighbouring countries during a crisis. During the 2022 Operation Ganga evacuation from Ukraine, India had evacuated foreign nationals from neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. During 2020, evacuation from Wuhan, China during the outbreak of COVID, India evacuated Maldives nationals. The Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign minister hoped that the situation in west Asia will come to normal soon. Full Interview:&nbsp;Indian mission in Tehran has announced&nbsp;that they will help in evacuation&nbsp;of Sri Lankan nationals. If you can give your reaction to this?Arun Hemachandra: Well, in light of the rapidly escalating situation in the region, I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Government of India for their timely and generous assistance in facilitating the evacuation of Sri Lankan nationals from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Under Operation Sindhu, not only&nbsp; Indian citizens were brought to safety, but the Indian authorities also extended their helping hand to Sri Lankans and other South Asian nationals. This gesture exemplifies the spirit of regional solidarity and trusted friendship that our nationals have built over decades.&nbsp;Sir, perhaps if you can talk about the number of Sri Lankan nationals in Iran to give a broader view to us, and I believe that the Sri Lankan government also announced last week that you are moving your embassy to north of Iran?Arun Hemachandra: Due to the tensions seen in the region, we took a decision to shift the embassy from Iran to the northern part of Iran. And overall, there are 30 plus Sri Lankans living in Iran, as per the statistics that we have, including the embassy staff. So we are grateful, once again, to India's External Affairs Ministry and Indian Embassy in Tehran for their proactive coordination and the care they extended.&nbsp;What is the Sri Lankan stance of the West Asian crisis? If you can put in perspective. Arun Hemachandra: The primary motive at the moment is the safety of Sri Lankan citizens, those who are in Israel as well as Iran. So we are looking forward to making sure that each and every Sri Lankan citizen is protected and safeguarded. And in terms of the bilateral relationship, we do have relationships with both nations. And so we are really watching this situation, and then we hope there will be normalcy very soon.

Sri Lankan minister Hemachandra lauds Indian evacuation of Sri Lankans from Iran

Sri Lanka has welcomed the Indian announcement on evacuation of Sri Lankan nationals from Iran as the West Asia crisis intensifies. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka said, that this "This gesture exemplifies the spirit of regional solidarity and trusted friendship that our nationals have built over decades". This is not the first time India has evacuated nationals from neighbouring countries during a crisis. During the 2022 Operation Ganga evacuation from Ukraine, India had evacuated foreign nationals from neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. During 2020, evacuation from Wuhan, China during the outbreak of COVID, India evacuated Maldives nationals. The Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign minister hoped that the situation in west Asia will come to normal soon. Full Interview: Indian mission in Tehran has announced that they will help in evacuation of Sri Lankan nationals. If you can give your reaction to this? Arun Hemachandra: Well, in light of the rapidly escalating situation in the region, I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Government of India for their timely and generous assistance in facilitating the evacuation of Sri Lankan nationals from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Under Operation Sindhu, not only Indian citizens were brought to safety, but the Indian authorities also extended their helping hand to Sri Lankans and other South Asian nationals. This gesture exemplifies the spirit of regional solidarity and trusted friendship that our nationals have built over decades. Sir, perhaps if you can talk about the number of Sri Lankan nationals in Iran to give a broader view to us, and I believe that the Sri Lankan government also announced last week that you are moving your embassy to north of Iran? Arun Hemachandra: Due to the tensions seen in the region, we took a decision to shift the embassy from Iran to the northern part of Iran. And overall, there are 30 plus Sri Lankans living in Iran, as per the statistics that we have, including the embassy staff. So we are grateful, once again, to India's External Affairs Ministry and Indian Embassy in Tehran for their proactive coordination and the care they extended. What is the Sri Lankan stance of the West Asian crisis? If you can put in perspective. Arun Hemachandra: The primary motive at the moment is the safety of Sri Lankan citizens, those who are in Israel as well as Iran. So we are looking forward to making sure that each and every Sri Lankan citizen is protected and safeguarded. And in terms of the bilateral relationship, we do have relationships with both nations. And so we are really watching this situation, and then we hope there will be normalcy very soon.

This is not the first time India has evacuated nationals from neighbouring countries during a crisis

Mushfiqur Rahim created history on the opening day (June 17) of the first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/galle">Galle</a>, Sri Lanka. The veteran Bangladesh batter smashed his 12th Test century and stitched a record-breaking partnership with Bangladesh skipper <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/najmul-hossain-shanto">Najmul Hossain</a> Shanto. Together, they put Bangladesh in a strong position in Angelo Mathews' farewell Test.Rahim and Shanto added 264 runs for the fourth wicket, which is the highest fourth-wicket stand by any visiting pair in Sri Lanka. This massive partnership helped Bangladesh reach 423/4 before rain interrupted play on day 2 (June 18). Asitha Fernando broke the stand by sending back Shanto on 148 before lunch, but the damage was already done by then.Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-headingley-recap-tendulkar-s-193-to-dravid-s-batting-masterclass-this-is-how-india-romped-vs-england-in-2002-1750226734311">Headingley Recap: Tendulkar's 193 to Dravid's batting masterclass, this is how India romped vs England in 2002</a>Mushfiqur Rahim now tops a rare list of international players with the most runs combined across all formats without bowling a single delivery. The legendary Bangladesh batter achieved the feat while bringing up his 12th Test ton against Sri Lanka.Mushfiqur, currently standing on 15,509 runs, went past former Australian wicketkeeper-batter and three-time World Cup winner Adam Gilchrist for the record.Gilchrist never bowled in international cricket, except once in the IPL 2014, where he sent Harbhajan Singh back to the pavilion.<h2>Here is the list of top five players with most runs in International cricket without bowling</h2>&nbsp;<ol><li>15,509 – Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh)</li><li>15,461 – Adam Gilchrist (Australia)</li><li>12,654 – Quinton de Kock (South Africa)</li><li>11,881 – Jos Buttler (England)</li><li>11,581 – Jonny Bairstow (England)</li></ol>&nbsp;Rahim also crossed another milestone by overtaking Angelo Mathews on the all-time international runs list. Mathews, who is playing his final Test, has 15,499 runs across formats.With Bangladesh already at 484/9 by the end of second day and rain expected in the next three days, they would want to give themselves enough time to bowl out Sri Lanka twice.For the hosts, the challenge will be to bounce back and give Mathews a memorable farewell in his final appearance in whites for Sri Lanka.

Mushfiqur Rahim now tops a rare list of international players with the most runs combined across all formats, without bowling a single delivery. The legendary Bangladesh batter achieved the feat while bringing up his 12th Test ton against Sri Lanka.

Mushfiqur Rahim created history on the opening day (June 17) of the first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Galle, Sri Lanka. The veteran Bangladesh batter smashed his 12th Test century and stitched a record-breaking partnership with Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto. Together, they put Bangladesh in a strong position in Angelo Mathews' farewell Test. Rahim and Shanto added 264 runs for the fourth wicket, which is the highest fourth-wicket stand by any visiting pair in Sri Lanka. This massive partnership helped Bangladesh reach 423/4 before rain interrupted play on day 2 (June 18). Asitha Fernando broke the stand by sending back Shanto on 148 before lunch, but the damage was already done by then. Also Read | Headingley Recap: Tendulkar's 193 to Dravid's batting masterclass, this is how India romped vs England in 2002 Mushfiqur Rahim now tops a rare list of international players with the most runs combined across all formats without bowling a single delivery. The legendary Bangladesh batter achieved the feat while bringing up his 12th Test ton against Sri Lanka. Mushfiqur, currently standing on 15,509 runs, went past former Australian wicketkeeper-batter and three-time World Cup winner Adam Gilchrist for the record. Gilchrist never bowled in international cricket, except once in the IPL 2014, where he sent Harbhajan Singh back to the pavilion. Here is the list of top five players with most runs in International cricket without bowling 15,509 – Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) 15,461 – Adam Gilchrist (Australia) 12,654 – Quinton de Kock (South Africa) 11,881 – Jos Buttler (England) 11,581 – Jonny Bairstow (England) Rahim also crossed another milestone by overtaking Angelo Mathews on the all-time international runs list. Mathews, who is playing his final Test, has 15,499 runs across formats. With Bangladesh already at 484/9 by the end of second day and rain expected in the next three days, they would want to give themselves enough time to bowl out Sri Lanka twice. For the hosts, the challenge will be to bounce back and give Mathews a memorable farewell in his final appearance in whites for Sri Lanka.

Mushfiqur Rahim now tops a rare list of international players with the most runs combined across all formats, without bowling a single delivery. The legendary Bangladesh batter achieved the feat while bringing up his 12th Test ton against Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh batter Mushfiqur Rahim surpasses Aussie great Adam Gilchrist on THIS unique list

Sri Lanka will play just 12 matches in the next WTC cycle, while India is playing 18, and Australia leads the chart with 22 scheduled Tests in the course of the next two years.&nbsp;Considering the finances, engagement and revenue, are behind the Big Three (AUS, IND and ENG) getting the biggest chunk of schedule in red-ball cricket, Mathews, who plays his last Test against Bangladesh starting Tuesday (June 17) in Galle, has batted for more Tests for teams outside of them, labelling it sad for them and the game.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ravichandran-ashwin-locked-in-ball-tampering-controversy-in-tnpl-2025-dindigul-dragons-madurai-panthers-1750078178105">Ravi Ashwin locked in ball-tampering controversy in TNPL 2025; organisers ask Madurai Panthers for proof</a> &nbsp;Let alone in the next WTC cycle (2025-27), where Sri Lanka plays a dozen Tests – the joint-lowest alongside Bangladesh, they are scheduled to play just four matches this year – their lowest in a calendar year since 2013. Playing even fewer games than they did in the previous cycle (2023-25), Mathews feels like those teams have achieved a lot across formats, even Sri Lanka has, and like them, Sri Lanka also deserves to play more matches. &nbsp;"I think it's quite sad, to be honest," Mathews said ahead of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle. "I mean, the younger generation are urging for more Test cricket. Test cricket is obviously the pinnacle of cricket. We all should push for more Tests. These guys are so enthusiastic about Test cricket.&nbsp;"I feel there has to be a minimum of 10 matches at least [in a year]. Teams like England, India or Australia are playing 15-plus games a year. Why can't we play? We can. If we keep pushing, I mean, we have to. We have won World Cups. We have done so much for cricket as a nation, and we deserve to play Test cricket, just like Australia, India and England,” he continued. &nbsp;Although Mathews is not the first and only Sri Lankan to complain about it on a public forum, his decision to retire from the format in which he’s played 118 matches due to this same reason is what concerns Test cricket lovers. &nbsp;"I played my 100th Test in Galle, so I thought I'd say goodbye in Galle. But the main reason was because we don't have any games coming up, at least for now. After this, we'll be having our next assignment in Test cricket after a year's time, that is a very long wait," Mathews noted. &nbsp;"I thought it's good to give an opportunity to whoever is going to replace me in the second Test because he's not going to get an opportunity till the next year (laughs). And in that year, you don't know what's going to happen. So I thought I'd just play one game and then try and give an opportunity to the other guy who's replacing me in the second Test,” he concluded.

SL vs BAN 2025: Angelo Mathews exposes disparity in Test cricket calendar

Sri Lanka will play just 12 matches in the next WTC cycle, while India is playing 18, and Australia leads the chart with 22 scheduled Tests in the course of the next two years. Considering the finances, engagement and revenue, are behind the Big Three (AUS, IND and ENG) getting the biggest chunk of schedule in red-ball cricket, Mathews, who plays his last Test against Bangladesh starting Tuesday (June 17) in Galle, has batted for more Tests for teams outside of them, labelling it sad for them and the game. Also read | Ravi Ashwin locked in ball-tampering controversy in TNPL 2025; organisers ask Madurai Panthers for proof Let alone in the next WTC cycle (2025-27), where Sri Lanka plays a dozen Tests – the joint-lowest alongside Bangladesh, they are scheduled to play just four matches this year – their lowest in a calendar year since 2013. Playing even fewer games than they did in the previous cycle (2023-25), Mathews feels like those teams have achieved a lot across formats, even Sri Lanka has, and like them, Sri Lanka also deserves to play more matches. "I think it's quite sad, to be honest," Mathews said ahead of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle. "I mean, the younger generation are urging for more Test cricket. Test cricket is obviously the pinnacle of cricket. We all should push for more Tests. These guys are so enthusiastic about Test cricket. "I feel there has to be a minimum of 10 matches at least [in a year]. Teams like England, India or Australia are playing 15-plus games a year. Why can't we play? We can. If we keep pushing, I mean, we have to. We have won World Cups. We have done so much for cricket as a nation, and we deserve to play Test cricket, just like Australia, India and England,” he continued. Although Mathews is not the first and only Sri Lankan to complain about it on a public forum, his decision to retire from the format in which he’s played 118 matches due to this same reason is what concerns Test cricket lovers. "I played my 100th Test in Galle, so I thought I'd say goodbye in Galle. But the main reason was because we don't have any games coming up, at least for now. After this, we'll be having our next assignment in Test cricket after a year's time, that is a very long wait," Mathews noted. "I thought it's good to give an opportunity to whoever is going to replace me in the second Test because he's not going to get an opportunity till the next year (laughs). And in that year, you don't know what's going to happen. So I thought I'd just play one game and then try and give an opportunity to the other guy who's replacing me in the second Test,” he concluded.

Let alone in the next WTC cycle (2025-27), where Sri Lanka plays a dozen Tests – the joint-lowest alongside Bangladesh, they are scheduled to play just four matches this year – their lowest in a calendar year since 2013.

India to play 18 Tests, AUS 22 and SL just 12 in next WTC cycle – Mathews exposes disparity in red-ball cricket calendar

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Sri Lankan minister Hemachandra lauds Indian evacuation of Sri Lankans from Iran

Rahim surpasses Gilchrist on THIS unique list with ton vs SL

SL vs BAN 2025: Angelo Mathews exposes disparity in Test cricket calendar