16 h. ago 'I used to turn my nose up at guided tours until I discovered this company'

Jules Verne guided tours take The Mirror through the heart of sultry Sri Lanka

Politics

30 h. ago Unfamiliar faces: who has a chance to shine for Australia at Champions Trophy? | Martin Pegan

Six players with minimal international experience are at the tournament in Pakistan and can expect to play a role Fewer than three months have passed since Australia’s Test team was seen to be in crisis as an ageing side that had shoehorned in a first debutant in almost two years was dismantled by India in Perth. A dramatic turnaround for a 3-1 series victory, followed by a clean sweep in Sri Lanka, went a long way to justifying selectors’ steadfast faith in the proven performers. Presenting baggy greens to five debutants across seven matches was an added bonus while suggesting the selectors might have had a much grander plan in mind all along.Planning around Australia’s white-ball sides has been much more haphazard. Opportunities have been handed out to emerging talents and second-stringers while frontliners have been on personal or parental leave, injured, or simply rested with eyes on bigger, more lucrative prizes. In the past 18 months alone, Australia blooded enough ODI players...

Politics

41 h. ago Six elephants killed after passenger train collides with wild herd in Sri Lanka

Six elephants were killed when a passenger train hit a herd near a wildlife sanctuary in Sri Lanka

Events

47 h. ago Paedophile jailed for abusing three boys hasn't been deported after claiming he would be at risk of harm in Sri Lanka as he's gay

The convicted paedophile, named only as 'PG', molested three teenage boys - with the youngest victim just 13 - and received a jail term in 2012 when he was branded 'a danger to the community'.

Events

56 h. ago Tourist leaning out of train to take selfie dies in gruesome accident caught on camera

Russian tourist Olga Perminova, 53, was riding the Podi Menike train - which passes through spectacular scenery in Sri Lanka - when she tragically smashed her head into a rock while taking a selfie

Events

57 h. ago Tourist falls off a train to her death 'while hanging from the carriage trying to take a photo' in Sri Lanka

Olga Perminova, 53, was travelling on the legendary Podi Menike rail line when she decided to lean out of an open door in a deadly picture opportunity.

Events

57 h. ago Six elephants killed as train derails after crashing into herd in Sri Lanka

Two other elephants were being treated for their wounds after surviving the crash

Events

4 d. ago England and Sri Lanka spells helped Essex boss Chris Silverwood grow as a coach

Silverwood was sacked by England three years ago, but is ready to lead Essex to more success.

Politics