Questions have been raised in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly regarding the allotment of land to former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan’s company, Ceylon Beverages.

The Jammu and Kashmir government found itself in a contentious situation on Saturday following allegations of a 25-acre free land allotment to Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan’s company, Ceylon Beverages.

The company plans to establish an aluminium can manufacturing and beverages filling unit in the Bhagthali industrial estate in Kathua district adjoining Punjab, with an investment of ₹1,642 crore.

The issue came to light after CPM MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami raised a question in the Legislative Assembly, seeking clarity on the land deal. However, Agriculture Minister Javaid Ahmad Dar feigned ignorance when questioned, admitting that he had no knowledge of the land allotment to Muralitharan’s company.

The controversy centers on the fact that the 25 acres of land were reportedly allocated to Ceylon Beverages free of charge as part of Jammu and Kashmir industrial policy, introduced after the abrogation of Article 370. The land allotment has sparked concerns among locals, especially those claiming that they had proprietary rights over the land and were allegedly evicted to make way for the project.

Muralitharan’s company already operates a plant in Karnataka and now seeks to expand into Jammu and Kashmir. The lease for the land was reportedly signed on June 14 last year. According to the company’s online profile, Ceylon Beverages is Sri Lanka’s largest beverage processing, filling, and exporting entity, providing contract filling services to major international clients like Coca-Cola and Nestle.

J&K industrial policy, which was launched on April 1, 2021, offers incentives like subsidies on capital investment, GST rebates on plant and machinery purchases, and financial assistance for working capital loans. This policy aims to attract large-scale investments and create jobs within the region.

Since its inception, the UT administration has received interest from a range of companies, including Dubai-based Emaar Group and India’s Kandhari Beverages Pvt Ltd, with proposed investments worth over ₹1.23 lakh crore.

Kathua district, due to its proximity to Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, has become a focal point for many industrial projects.

Tarigami brought up the issue during a discussion on satellite townships being developed across the Union Territory. “What are these townships about? Who will be residing there? A Sri Lankan cricketer has been allotted land without being charged a paisa,” he remarked.

Congress MLA Ghulam Ahmed Mir echoed Tarigami’s concerns, calling the situation a “serious issue” that warranted a thorough discussion in the Assembly.

Responding to the concerns of the legislators, Agriculture Minister Javaid Ahmad Dar acknowledged the matter but said it falls under the Revenue Department’s jurisdiction. “We will look into the matter to verify the facts,” he said.

This is not the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 that questions have been raised regarding land allotments in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the involvement of a high-profile foreign figure like Muralitharan has added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing debate.

In defence of the land deal, a senior government official emphasized that Muralitharan’s investment aligned with the administration’s larger strategy to turn Jammu and Kashmir into an industrial hub. The official stressed that such foreign investments are crucial for the region’s economic growth and the creation of much-needed jobs. (Deccan Herald)

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India, specifically the governments in Tamil Nadu, had failed to understand the ethnic conflict during the Sri Lankan civil war, legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan said Sunday. 

He was speaking on the sidelines of a masterclass session on the sports biopic ‘A Legendary 800 – Against All Odds’, based on his life, at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.

“The problem in Sri Lanka… India never understood. It’s an honest answer. I am not scared to say that… India means I am not saying the Central government, the Tamil Nadu government didn’t understand what is the real problem there. Because it is so much different in Sri Lanka. See in Tamil [community] in Sri Lanka, there are several sub-groups,” Muralitharan said.

“… it’s all connected, but politically divided. My grandfather is from India [Tamil Nadu]. In 1920s, he went to tea plantations. The British took us forcefully there. So that’s why our generation in Sri Lanka…we all grew in central Hill Country. We are called Indian-origin Tamils. They are called Sri Lankan Tamils… When they speak, the way they speak, the slang is different, but it is the same language,” he said.

“So some wanted to separate one portion [and make a] separate country. In the middle [region]. We didn’t want a separate country. We wanted to live amicably with everyone,” Muralitharan added.

Muralitharan said a few politicians in India did not understand the issue in his country and accused him of being a “traitor to the race”.

“Because I didn’t say anything about the war and what happened and I was [seen as] pro-government… 5-10 per cent of politicians think I am a traitor to the race,” he said.

Talking about the protests that took place after Tamil film actor Vijay Sethupathi initially agreed to portray his role in the film, M S Sripathy, who directed the film, said they did not foresee that casting Sethupathi would become an issue.

“We thought we were doing an inspiring movie about a sportsman. But cinema is not seen as cinema. People think they are a kind of propaganda…and a lot of politics gets entangled with films… Nothing wrong in speaking [about] politics and films, but not being able to do something that you can is just like suffocating you,” said Sripathy.

“So, we had to make a decision. He [Vijay] never wanted to quit, but then he was the one who suggested that why do we have to create so much fuss about it? So then we looked for another actor,” he explained.

Recalling an incident when he was reported by the umpire for “chucking” during a match against Australia, Muralitharan said, “In 1995, when I was in trouble – I am from the minority community, playing for Sri Lanka and the Tamil war was very much at its peak – all of Sri Lanka supported me, as did India, rather than see the religion or anything.” 

Muralitharan also recalled the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team when their bus was attacked by terrorists in Lahore during the Pakistan tour. “It was horrifying. We were like sitting ducks. The security personnel on our bus didn’t have any weapons…,” he said. (Indian Express)

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Sri Lanka bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the costly tickets for the 2023 Asia Cup tournament in Sri Lanka. 

The criticism comes as the Asia Cup fixtures between arch-rivals India and Pakistan were played in front of near-empty stadiums in Sri Lanka. The two teams were met with empty stadiums when they faced off in the Super Four of the 2023 Asia Cup on Sunday, September 10. 

To fill the empty stands, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) shared that the revised ticket prices had been reduced to Rs 500 and Rs 1000 at the last minute, but that too didn’t attract many.

India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan forced the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to opt for a hybrid model with four games in Pakistan and the remaining to be played in Sri Lanka. India are playing all their fixtures in Sri Lanka. However, the high ticket prices have meant that fans in Sri Lanka have not thronged the stadium.

Former Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan believes PCB is to be blamed for this fiasco due to the high ticket prices set by the board, who is the official host for the continental tournament.

In an exclusive conversation with News18, Muralitharan said, “It is the PCB who has decided the prices for these tickets as they are hosting the Asia Cup this year. Sri Lanka is currently going through a financial crisis. The ticket prices are really expensive and they were reduced at the last moment (just before the India vs. Pakistan match in Colombo) but it doesn’t work that way. The ticket prices start from Sri Lankan Rupees 6000 and upwards. If you want to watch the match from the grandstands it is 40000 to 50000 Sri Lankan Rupees which is equivalent to a person’s monthly salary. I don’t think anyone can afford that much money in Sri Lanka.”

Muralitharan feels that the audience wants to come and watch these matches but can’t afford the ticket price, “In Sri Lanka, whenever there are matches there is always a full house in the stadium. People want to come and watch these matches but they can’t afford such high-priced tickets. Even the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh game which happened on Saturday didn’t attract many people despite the home team being in action and doing well.”

The Sri Lankan great also points out the unpredictable weather which has been another deterrent for people to buy tickets, “The league match between India and Pakistan ended up in a tie (no result) because of the rains. Perhaps, it was because of the rain prediction that people don’t want to take a chance. Also, there was some confusion regarding the venue (from Colombo to Hambantota) of the Super 4 matches and the final. People will be apprehensive to come forward and buy tickets.” (NewsWire)

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The much-awaited trailer of the Tamil film ‘800’, a biopic on Sri Lankan bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan was unveiled in India on Tuesday (Sep 05).

Cricketing legends Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya participated in the trailer launch, alongside former cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan. 

During the launch, Tendulkar, Jayasuriya, and Muralitharan were seen praising each other and sharing light-hearted moments during their tenures as cricketers. 

‘God of Cricket’ Sachin Tendulkar revealed that India would hold meetings on how to tackle Muralitharan and what are the signals to pick, adding that, however, Muralitharan kept reinventing himself and was difficult to read. 

Chippin in, Muralitharan said Sachin Tendulkar was among the few cricketers who had managed to read him well, adding that other players included India’s Rahul Dravid and West Indies’ Brian Lara.

Sri Lanka great Sanath Jayasuriya also shared some memories of sharing the dressing room with Muralitharan, claiming that one needed earplugs when Murali was in the dressing room screaming away at every ball and wicket. 

The film ‘800’ features Slumdog Millionaire fame actor Madhurr Mittal as Muralitharan. Directed by MS Sripathy, 800 — a reference to the record number of wickets Muralitharan took in test cricket — is scheduled to be released in cinemas in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. (NewsWire)

"Murali is a dangerous bowler, Sanath used to come for batting in boxing mood" Sachin Tendulkar at Murali 800 Biopic trailer launch pic.twitter.com/KT2YzCw17l

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) September 6, 2023

Watch full video:

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India’s legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has been invited to attend the unveiling of Muthiah Muralitharan’s biopic- 800.

On Tuesday, the trailer of Murali’s biopic will be released in Mumbai.

The 51-year-old Sri Lankan off-spinner ended his Test career with his 800th wicket on July 22, 2010, in the Test match against India.

Incidentally, Murali is also a son-in-law of India. He married Madhimalar Ramamurthy, a Chennai native, on 21 March 2005. Madhimalar is the daughter of the late Dr. S Ramamurthy of Malar Hospitals in Chennai.

The roles of Murali and his wife are being played by Madhur Mittal and Mahima Nambiyar.

The shootings of the biopic took place in India, Sri Lanka and England.

Murali will be present with the cast and crew of the film. Also invited is Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya. He will be present at the trailer as a special guest. (Deccan Chronicle)

Sachin & Sanath to unveil Murali 800 biopic trailer in Mumbai

D: https://t.co/MiclPXkF11 pic.twitter.com/ss993V3MMf

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) September 4, 2023

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Former Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan reckoned that India is one of the firm favourites to win the World Cup in 2023. Back in 2011, when India co-hosted the mega event along with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, they won the trophy after beating Sri Lanka in the final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

In fact, since 2011, the host nations have got their hands on the coveted trophy. Muralitharan, whose last international match was against India in the final 12 years ago, also sounded eager to watch the World Cup match between the hosts and England.

“I am looking forward to India vs England. India is one of the favourites because they are playing at home and they know how to win in India. This is going to be a very interesting match and I want to watch it,” Muralitharan was quoted as saying to Star Sports.

Former Indian opener, Virender Sehwag, said that the pitches in the World Cup are most likely to assist the teams from the sub-continent. The Nawab of Najafgarh also mentioned that Afghanistan could fall short because of their weaker batting compared to their bowling.

“The pitches will favour the sub-continental teams. India and Sri Lanka have good spin attacks. Afghanistan do not have a great batting line-up but they have very good spinners. In 2011, the two best teams came to the final and the better team won,” Sehwag said.

India’s first match of the World Cup is against Australia on Sunday, October 8 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The marquee clash between India and Pakistan is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. (NewsWire)

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Indian businessman Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries has inked a deal with Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan’s company Ceylon Beverage International for a mega-project.

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries is working aggressively to establish its dominance in the massive soft drink market in India. In order to achieve this goal, Mukesh Ambani has launched the decades-old brand Campa Cola in a new avatar. Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance is signing agreements with an aim to capture the maximum share of the Indian soft drink market and is expected to emerge as strong competitors for major companies like Pepsi and Coca-Cola.

Reliance has inked a deal with veteran Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan’s company Ceylon Beverage International and as part of the deal, Muralitharan’s company will do packing work for Campa Cola in cans. It is expected that Ceylon Beverages would set up a packaging plant in India in the future for packing work. Until the plant comes up, canned Campa Cola will be imported from Ceylon Beverages’ Sri Lanka factory.

Reliance Consumer Products, a unit of Reliance Industries, has earlier tied up with Kali Aerated Water Works, a Chennai-based company for a manufacturing and distribution partnership of Reliance’s Campa soft drinks range.

Reliance Consumer had bought Campa Cola from Pure Drinks Group in 2022. After that Reliance Consumer relaunched this brand by giving it a new look. It has been introduced in the market of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Reliance is set to launch Campa Cola across India very soon and it is expected that the recent deals would help the company to expand its network across the country. (DNA)

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Indian star cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has extended his support for the Kollywood movie ‘800’ which is the untold story of Sri Lanka bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan.

Commenting on the release of the motion poster for the movie, Ashwin said, “An inspiration to every kid who dreamed of spinning the ball for their nation someday.”

“Your journey deserves to be shown on the big screen for the world to relish. Eagerly await the release of #800,” he added in a Twitter message.

His comments come after the motion poster for the movie ‘800’ was released yesterday.

The movie which depicts former Sri Lanka cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan’s way to the top in the cricketing arena is directed by MS Sripathy.

The movie’s star cast includes Madhurr Mittal as Muttiah Muralitharan in the main lead roles. The music is composed by Ghibran. 

‘800’ is set to be released in November 2023. (NewsWire)

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The motion poster of the Kollywood movie ‘800’, which is the untold story of Sri Lanka bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan, has been released.

The movie which depicts former Sri Lanka cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan’s way to the top in the cricketing arena is directed by MS Sripathy.

The movie’s star cast includes Madhurr Mittal as Muttiah Muralitharan in the main lead roles. The music is composed by Ghibran. 

The film was produced by an unknown under the banner Movie Train Motion Picture and Vivek Rangachari.

‘800’ is set to be released in November 2023. (NewsWire)

Motion poster : https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hHWN4fXAVIo 

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