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Yohani roped in as Lanka Premier League 2023 brand ambassador
Mumbai: Viral sensation and popular Sri Lankan singer star, Yohani Diloka de Silva will be the face of the skyfair.news Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 as its official brand ambassador for the highly-anticipated fourth edition which commences at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo on 30 July 2023.
Having made her breakthrough with the widely acclaimed hit ‘Manike Mage Hithe’, Yohani has since been one of the most followed and heard singing sensations both in India and Sri Lanka.
Yohani’s coming on board as a brand ambassador will not only engage cricket enthusiasts and music lovers alike but it will be an opportunity to create an exceptional blend of music and cricket to elevate the league’s reach across the sub-continent.
Speaking on her association with the league, Yohani expressed her enthusiasm, commented, “I am thrilled and honoured to be part of Lanka Premier League. Cricket has always been cherished in Sri Lanka, and music too has been an intrinsic part of its growth journey. While my songs have found a global fan base, this association will enhance the engagement and interaction of cricketing and music lovers in a more holistic manner and thereby create a strong brand identity for our very own Island Nation as well as Lanka Premier League. I wish the League, all the teams and players best of luck.”
Yohani has been a part of a number of popular Indian talent as well as pop culture shows, movies and has amassed a massive fan base in India and across the sub-continent region. She also has an Indian Music label major exclusive deal to her name.
Notably, the 29-year-old has previously lent her voice to the official theme song of the second edition of the Lanka Premier League in 2021.
“We are really excited to have Yohani as the Brand Ambassador for LPL Season 4. She is not only a youth icon for Sri Lanka but has also been globally followed and it augurs well with our brand vision of making the Lanka Premier League, one of the most followed and successful cricket leagues from the subcontinent. In an era, where millennials and Gen Z have a strong influence- whether it is for cricket or music, I am confident, this partnership between LPL and Yohani will help the league connect with newer and more diverse set of audiences from across the region and globally,” commented IPG Group (the official rights holder of LPL) founder and CEO Anil Mohan Sankhdhar.
The fourth edition of the skyfair.news LPL 2023 which is kickstarting from 30 July will feature top international stars like David Miller, Babar Azam, Chris Lynn, and Shakib Al Hasan who will be entertaining the fans in the league along with top-class Sri Lankan players like Mahesh Theekshana, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Angelo Mathews.
The tournament comprises six teams including Colombo Strikers, Dambulla Aura, Galle Titans, Jaffna Kings, and B-Love Kandy, each representing different regions from the Island. Each team will compete in a series of matches to be held in Kandy and Colombo.
The Lanka Premier League 2023 will be telecasted live on the Star Sports network and the Live stream will be available on the Fancode app.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
