A Sri Lankan youth has been jailed for less than three months for smashing a glass bottle over the head of a stranger on a train in Brisbane, Australia. 

Saranees Sivakumar, 22, who was allowed to migrate to Australia as a child, and co-offender Baddeley Mawhinney were caught on CCTV carrying out the vicious attack on a city-bound Cleveland line train on April 25.

Mawhinney was previously sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment for his role in the attack, and Sivakumar faced Cleveland Magistrates Court via videolink from custody on Monday after pleading guilty to affray, The Courier Mail reported. 

The court heard Sivakumar and Mawhinney approached the victim, who was travelling alone, and started talking to him, but the encounter soon turned violent.

The pair punched the man several times to the head and face, prevented him from getting off by dragging him through closing train doors, and then moved to another carriage.

But they soon returned and attempted to take the man’s bag before Sivakumar smashed a glass bottle over the man’s head, causing him to start bleeding.

The court heard the victim was so traumatised by the attack he has since left Queensland.

Sivakumar claimed in court he was acting in self-defence, but Magistrate Deborah Vasta rejected his submission.

You’re allowed to defend yourself when you’re required to do that,” she said.

“Hitting someone over the head with a bottle is not [self-defence] … It was a very nasty attack on an innocent man.”

But she sentenced Sivakumar to just eight months’ imprisonment over the attack, resulting in him being released on parole under supervision having already spent 89 days in custody.

Magistrate Vasta noted she was constrained by the affray charge’s maximum penalty of 12 months, and told Sivakumar if it had been higher “I think you’d be looking at more than you got”.

The court heard Sivakumar became an Australian citizen last year, and moved to Brisbane from Melbourne seeking work but had been homeless and unemployed. (The Noticer)

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Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has invited Victorian investors to explore new opportunities being developed in Port City Colombo, highlighting the project as a gateway for trade, investment, and infrastructure growth. 

He also encouraged the Victorian government to promote Sri Lanka as a safe, attractive, and promising tourist destination.

The remarks came during the Sri Lanka–Victoria Industry Roundtable hosted by Global Victoria at the Victorian Investment Centre in Melbourne. 

The event was facilitated by the Deputy Secretary for Industry, Trade and Investment of the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry & Regions, Danni Jarrett.

In a post on ‘X’, Minister Herath said the roundtable focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, and education. 

High‑level Australian business entrepreneurs from sectors including aviation, infrastructure, education, sport, and tourism joined the discussions. (Newswire)

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The “Elite Cricket Centre” (ECC), a state-of-the-art cricket facility, was inaugurated in Melbourne, Australia, recently (08), offering a world-class indoor facility designed for players of all levels.

The cricket facility was co-founded by former Sri Lankan international fast bowler and an ICC-approved high-performance coach, Prabath Nissanka, and a Cricket Victoria Premier Umpire, Ashan Hewawasam.

According to the ECC, the centre features eight long run-up, international-standard training lanes with premium synthetic turf, four JUGS bowling machines, one Bola machine with auto-feeder and one leather ball machine to enhance precision and performance.

Complementing the training experience are the Elite Power Hub gym, recovery rooms, cutting-edge video analysis and speed-tracking technology, along with a dedicated coaches’ room and a comfortable parent viewing lounge, creating a complete environment for cricket excellence in Victoria.

Several cricketing stars graced the grand opening ceremony held in Hallam, Victoria.

Bookings are now open and can be made online via our website elitecricketcentre.com.au (Newswire)

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Groovy Graphics and Signs is proud to announce that its founder and director, Lalantha De Silva, has been named a Finalist in the South East Melbourne Business Awards 2025 for Outstanding Business Person of the Year.

This recognition marks a HUGE milestone in his 25-year career — a journey built with passion, late nights, sacrifice, and an unshakable never-give-up attitude.

Lalantha has spent decades building his name and reputation in Australia, one job, one design, and one smile at a time. His story is a true inspiration for dreamers, doers, and every small business owner chasing greatness.

This prestigious recognition highlights Lalantha’s unwavering commitment to excellence, creativity, and leadership in the signage and printing industry. Through Groovy Graphics and Signs, Lalantha has not only built a highly respected brand known for quality and innovation but has also contributed significantly to the local community and small business ecosystem.

“To be named a finalist among so many inspiring business leaders is truly humbling,” Lalantha said. “This acknowledgment isn’t just mine — it’s a reflection of the incredible team at Groovy Graphics and Signs and the support from our loyal clients.”

Groovy Graphics and Signs, based in Melbourne, specializes in high-impact visual branding — including custom signage, vehicle wraps, shopfront signs, and promotional materials — and is proudly 100% Australian made and operated.

The South East Melbourne Business Awards celebrate excellence in business leadership, innovation, and community impact. Being selected as a finalist is a major achievement and a reflection of sustained hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, and professional integrity.

The awards ceremony will be held at The Langham on Friday, 12th September this year, where the overall winners will be officially announced.

Laal, you’re an inspiration to all dreamers, doers, and creators out there. The sky’s the limit!

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The Consul General-designate of Sri Lanka to Melbourne, Pradeepa Saram assumed duties at the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne on Monday (17 Mar).

According to the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne, the newly appointed Consul General is a career diplomat, with a service spanning over 27 years across various assignments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, and Sri Lankan Missions overseas. She served as the Additional Secretary, Overseas Administration of the Ministry, immediately prior to her appointment in Melbourne.

Consul General Saram served in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs from 1996 to 1997, and subsequently joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 1998, serving as Assistant Director, Latin Americas and Consular Affairs from 1998 to 2000; Deputy Director, Overseas Administration from 2003 to 2005; Director, East Asia & Pacific from 2008 to 2010; Director General, Middle East & Consular Affairs from 2014 to 2015; Director General, Overseas Asset Management & Development from 2018 to 2019; Director General, Middle East & Overseas Asset Management from 2023 to 2024 and as Additional Secretary from July 2024 to March 2025.

Consul General Saram also served abroad at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates from 2000 to 2003; the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Federal Republic of Germany from 2005 to 2008; High Commission of Sri Lanka in the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2013 and at Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Milan, Italy from 2015 to 2018, establishing the First Sri Lankan Consulate in Lombardy region.

She served as the Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain in her last overseas assignment prior to the current appointment, from September 2019 to December 2022. She also served as the Ex-officio to the Board of Directors of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment from 2014-2015 and 2024-2025 respectively. 

Consul General Saram holds a Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies (Merit), a Bachelor’s degree in Arts (Hons.) from the University of Colombo and she is a past pupil of Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo. (Newswire)

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