Sensational Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis has become the fastest bowler to take 50 wickets in one-day internationals as Sri Lanka crushed Zimbabwe by 130 runs in their first match of the tri-series tournament in Dhaka.

Set to score a reserved 211 for victory, Zimbabwe were all out for 80 in 28.2 overs with just Stuart Matsikenyeri reaching double figures.

Mendis took three for 15, finishing his 50-wicket haul in his 19th ODI and enhancing the record of India's Ajit Agarkar, who took 23 matches to reach the landmark.

It was announced by India's top mobile operator, Bharti Airtel on Monday that mobile services in Sri Lanka has been launched by it and the company would also invest $200 million on the operation in the island.

Via its subsidiary Bharti Airtel Lanka, the company has launched the services on a third generation network. A suite of innovative services and redefined affordability by offering attractive call rates has also been launched by Airtel.

Lahore, Jan. 10 :The Sri Lanka Cricket has announced the itinerary for the Pakistan tour.

The tour will be a two phased affair, with the one day internationals scheduled from January 21 to 27, while the Tests will be held in February and March this year.

However, the number of matches will be lesser than what the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had asked for.

Initially, the PCB had asked Sri Lanka to play three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 international.

It was recently confirmed by Sri Lanka that they are all set up to will play three one-day internationals and two Tests against Pakistan. It has been learnt that the tour will be split over two legs, thus giving chance to Sri Lanka to host India for a one-day series.

On 19th January, Mahela Jayawardene's men would arrive in Karachi ahead of the first ODI on 21st January. Three days later, the second one-dayer will also be held, before the final clash on January 27, after which Sri Lanka will go home.

Colombo- Government troops have taken control of a one- time military garrison and a strategic road in northern Sri Lanka after weeks of fighting against Tamil rebels in the area, President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced Friday.

"Our troops have taken control of the Elephant Pass area," Rajapaksa said, referring to the former military complex located 390 kilometres north of the capital.

With the capture of the area troops now have control of the strategic highway which runs from the southern part of the country to the northern Jaffna peninsula which is popularly known as the A-9 road.

Colombo - Journalists, civic rights organisations and opposition politicians Friday staged a strong protest in Sri Lanka's capital against the slaying of an anti-government newspaper editor.

The protestors demanded that the government expedite inquiries into the killing Thursday of the Sunday Leader editor, Lasantha Wickrematunga, and warned that failure to investigate the case would lead to the conclusion that the government was responsible for the attack.

Wickramatunga, 51, was on his way to his office in Attidiya, Mt Lavinia, 12 kilometres south of the capital, when two men following him on a motorcycle opened fire at close range. He succumbed to his injuries few hours later in hospital.