COLOMBO: Controversial Sri Lankan sprinter, Susanthika Jayasinghe, has abruptly left for the United States to escape mounting condemnation at home for her last minute withdrawal from the Bangkok Asian Games last month. The 23-year-old took off on Friday charging that she was being hounded out at home and announced she would be training at Santa Monica in the US for the coming World Athletics slated to be held in Seville, Spain in July next.

Akram is skipper

LAHORE: Wasim Akram, who is involved in a probe into alleged corruption in Pakistan cricket, is to captain his country on their forthcoming tour of India and at the World Cup in England starting in May. Wicketkeeper Moin Khan was named vice-captain of the touring side leaving for India on January 21.

Air Staff vice chief

NEW DELHI: Air Marshal P S Brar, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command, has been appointed Vice Chief of the Air Staff, it was announced today. Hesucceeds Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis who took over as Chief of Air Staff on Dec 31, an official release said here. Brar will assume office tomorrow. Air Marshal K N Nair will replace Brar as AOC-in-c, Eastern Air Command at Shillong.

Curfew reimposed

BANGALORE: The authorities reimposed curfew and are considering deploying the Army in Suratkal and neighbouring areas as fresh clashes broke out in the trouble-torn areas in coastal Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka on Sunday. Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued in Suratkal and surrounding areas.