Colombo: Sri Lanka has hired psychologists to help its national cricket team overcome the trauma they suffered in the militant attacks in Pakistan, a doctor said yesterday.

The four specialists would work “to mentally boost our cricketers, help them heal their mental scars and overcome the tragedy,” Geethanjana Mendis, head of the Sri Lankan sports ministry medical unit, said.

The convoy of players, officials and coaches on their way to the second Test match in Lahore on Tuesday was ambushed by gunmen firing automatic weapons, grenades and a rocket launcher.

Thilan Samaraweera underwent major surgery in Colombo to remove a bullet from his left thigh, while Tharanga Paranavitana had a bullet taken out of his chest, and Ajantha Mendis had shrapnel extracted from his back and head.

“The (three) players will need about two months rest to recover before starting on light training. But they are all doing well. They can be discharged within a few days,” Geethanjana Mendis said.

Myanmar’s military capital gets new pagoda

Yangon: In a ceremony presided over by Myanmar’s military supremo Senior General Than Shwe and attended by the junta hierarchy, a new pagoda for the capital of Naypyitaw was inaugurated this weekend, media reports said yesterday.

Than Shwe and his wife Kyaing Kyaing presided over the hoisting of the umbrella on top of the Uppatasanti Pagoda in Naypyitaw, Myanmar’s capital since 2004 that is situated about about 350km north of Yangon, the former capital. The couple also donated a Buddha tooth relic, provided by China, to be placed inside the pagoda, the first to be opened in Naypyitaw since it became the country’s new capital, The New Light of Myanmar reported.