Young Lankan spinners hurt Indian pride
The old familiar story seemed to unfold once again when the Indian openers Rahul and Dhawan systematically took the bowling apart as they rattled along at a rate of around six an over to reach 134 – 0 by lunch. Round one had ended decisively in India’s favour. The Sri Lankans needed just one break. [...]
‘I was devastated when things did not work’ says Coach Ford
Graham Ford who stepped down as Sri Lanka coach, ending his second tenure with the side after 15 months said that he was ‘devastated’ at the circumstances which led to his resignation. “I was devastated when things did not work out for me at SLC,” said Ford responding to the Sunday Times from South Africa. [...]
Sharmal retains Men’s Singles title
Top seeded Sharmal Dissanayake kept composure and outclassed third seeded Sankha Athukorala to retain the Men’s Open Singles title with a convincing win in the final of the 102nd National Tennis Championship at the SLTA tennis courts in Greenpath, Colombo. Marauding Sharmal was too good for his opponent as he cruised through to victory with [...]
AmCham golf on September 2
The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Sri Lanka will once again host the “AmCham – FedEx Golf Tournament 2017”, teeing off on the 2nd of September, 2017 at the Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC). The Tournament is expected to attract a large number of golfers from both the AmCham and RCGC membership. Played to an [...]
Brushing aside allegations that they changed players to the whims and fancies, Chairman of cricket selectors, Sanath Jayasuriya said a higher rate of injuries to the players during the last 14 months was a major stumbling block to stick to a plan. Following last Sunday’s second Test defeat, batting maestro Aravinda de Silva joined scores [...]
Pallekele – Still cutting its teeth as a Test venue
It may surprise one and all to know that Pallekele has staged a mere five Test matches in a span of nearly seven years. There were a few two test tours, during which the Kandy venue invariably lost out. Spin-friendly Galle was always a first choice as the hosts liked to get off the blocks, [...]
Football- A tumultuous election, a silent aftermath, then a major uproar!
On July 1, the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) went to the polls. And, probably got the decision it deserves. The run-up to the elections was, to say the least, ruthlessly fought in the hinterlands of the sport; in the district Leagues which, every two years, gets the opportunity to kick a few butts. [...]
MDCA felicitates Ruchira Palliyaguru
Matara District Cricket Association (MDCA) and the organising committee of the MSL T20 cricket tournament presented former St Servatius College and Matara Sports Club cricketer and present ICC panel umpire Ruchira Palliyaguru with a felicitation plaque at the opening ceremony of the MSL T20. State Minister of Enterprise Development and President of the MDCA Lakshman [...]
Tug o’ war over Rs. 250 m school cricket fund
The Education Ministry has expressed its displeasure at the Finance Ministry over an allocation of Rs 250 million to the Sports Ministry to implement a project called “School Cricket Promotion in 1,000 Outstation Schools”, instead of giving the money to the Education Ministry. The allocation was made in the last Budget presented by former Finance [...]
LSR Colombo Marathon on October 8
The 17th Edition of the Lanka Sportreizen (LSR) Colombo Marathon series, which is now a Calendar Event of the Ministry of Sports is scheduled to be held on October 8 with an all new restructured route in Colombo. The marathon customarily flagged off in Colombo and ended in Negombo but the organisers have relayed the [...]
I was on standby all the time, and not on holiday
‘SLC anti-corruption man on his way out’ In the said article, there is a reference to me stating, “Even prior to this, SLC has replaced employees while their full contracts were on. For instance, former Cricket Manager Charith Senanayake was replaced by Ranjith Fernando after Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe, and Senanayake earned a holiday [...]
SAFF Cup new dates: May 1 to 12, 2018
The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup has been rescheduled to May 1-12, 2018 in Bangladesh. The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in December this year in Bangladesh but since India had stated that they cannot take part in December, it was rescheduled for next year. Due to the postponement, the training schedules [...]
Nugegoda Bridge at the SSC
The Nugegoda Bridge Club will conduct an Open Pairs Bridge Tournament on August 27 at the Singhalese Sports Club, Maitland Place, Colombo 7 at its players’ lunch room starting at 9.15 am. All bridge players are welcome. Entry fee is Rs. 400. Refreshment will be served and prizes will be awarded to the 1st and [...]
No point on harping on how it would have been
I was asked by a rugby stalwart who was also an administrator, as to why I have not written about the performance of Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Youth Games Rugby Sevens. I was also asked about the generation X and Y (millennial) I talked about last week. The request was that this should be [...]
‘Dr’ Aliyantha White- Miracle Man in our Midst
I had the good fortune or, merit, to meet with ‘Dr’ Aliyantha White, thanks to the benevolence and kindness of Lasith Malinga, our cricket hero. I feel compelled to share my story with the Sri Lankans, who may benefit from similar consultations with ‘Dr’ White in the future. Here is my story. I had knee [...]
Mobitel, NTB, MAS Holdings in Women’s ‘B’ Div. Semis
Mobitel, Nations Trust Bank (NTB) and MAS Holdings (MAS) qualified for the Women’s ‘B’ Division semifinals of the 27th Mercantile League Basketball Tournament at the Henry Pedris Basketball Complex last week. NDB with 6 wins qualified for the Men’s ‘C’ Division semifinals, while NTB with 3 wins qualified for the Women’s ‘C’ Division, with CDB [...]
Debutant Akila Nuwanga Silva pots to glory
Newcomer to the Travel Trade Sports Club (TTSC), Infinity Vacations player, Akila Nuwanga Silva emerged ‘Cup’ winner at the 4th TTSC Pool Championships 2017, concluded at the ‘Shotz’ Pool Parlour, Excel World, Colombo 10, recently. This year’s edition had 38 players from 14 member firms competing. Akila Nuwanga created the biggest upset when he beat [...]
Shivantha Vivekanandan — elected uncontested
Well known former sportsman and outstanding personality Shivantha Vivekanandan was elected uncontested President for the 17th successive year at the 68th Annual General Meeting of the Deaf School Past Pupils’ Association, Ratmalana held at the Stanley Hall, The School for the Deaf, Ratmalana. Following office bearers were elected for the year 2017/18: Patron: Mrs. Samanthika [...]
Kyle sets sights on Olympics
Bahamas Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) 2017 stressed the importance of having the coach by the side at a meet or competition, for any athlete’s success. Kyle, 17, who won Silver in the Men’s 100m and 50m Freestyle events, revealed that, for him, medal hopes were not in his thoughts but, with his coach, Manoj Abeysinghe, [...]
NO BACKBONE
The controlling body for sports in the country has imported two special chairs for those suffering from spine ache! The talk is that they have decided to bring in these chairs for those who have no backbone! (Konda Nathi Handa) TIME TRIAL The sport on two wheels held a Time Trial to select a young [...]
Suriyage protests about CFSL three member committee
The President of the Mountain Biking Association (MBA) Amal Suriyage has written to the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL) protesting against the appointment of a three-member committee by the Ex-Co of the CFSL to scrutinise eligible clubs/associations for the CFSL AGM which will be held on August 31. The letter addressed to the Chairman/Secretary [...]
Richie Richardson meets the Lankans
Former West Indies cricket captain Richie Richardson, who is presently officiating the three test match series between Sri Lanka and India as the ICC match referee, was given a warm welcome at a special function organised by the management of the academy in honour of his visit to Windies cricket academy in Matale. The function [...]
Shirantha Peiris top marksman overall
Shirantha Peiris won 2 overall championship titles at the National Shooting Sport Federation of Sri Lanka (NSSF) Trap Open and Skeet Open Meets held at the National Shotgun Range in Payagala, Kalutara. Peiris won Gold in the Master category in both Trap and Skeet. Peiris, the incumbent NSSF President’s skills at the Trap Open Meet [...]
Dual gender Tennis reappears
US-Open Series of 2017 At start of Tennis, 150 years ago, Women were not allowed to participate in competitions. It was considered not ladylike. It changed and dual gender events became the norm. After the formation of ATP and WTA, this tradition stopped in the professional circuit. In effect, even today, dual gender events such [...]
Cricket debacle: Who is the Jonah?
It was late December, and things were not so ruffled in local cricket. The Lankans had duly beaten Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe without huffing and puffing and blowing the house down. The next Lankan assignment was against the South Africans and, please don’t get me wrong, no one in a right state of mind expected us [...]
MAS Holdings undisputed Champs
MAS Holdings were crowned unbeaten Mercantile ‘B’ Division League Hockey Champs 2017, at the Astro Turf, Race Course, recently. Playing as a well knit unit with fine teamwork, MAS stickers displayed a high quality run and pass game to win all 5 matches they played in the League. MAS qualified for the Mercantile ‘B’ Knockout [...]
Biggest cash prize of Rs 2.5m in SL amateur Cricket history
Last Man Stands (LMS) Sri Lanka T20 Cricket tournament, with the biggest prize in Sri Lanka amateur cricket history, estimated at Rs 2.5 million, will kick off on August 27. The semifinals and finals are scheduled to be played at the Army Grounds, Mattegoda, and Moors Sports Club Grounds respectively. Winners of this year’s tournament [...]
MAS Silueta ‘A’ are crowned Champs
MAS Silueta ‘A’ led by Buddhika Sanjeewa were crowned champions of MCA Tier ‘A’ Cricket ‘Sixes’ 2017, when they beat their senior sister firm, MAS Unichela ‘A’, led by TM Dilshan, in the final at the MCA on Poya Day. Sponsors Citizens Development Business won the Tier ‘B’ segment, beating Maliban Biscuits in the final, [...]