Foreign curators as ‘pitch fixing gate’ opens
After an undercover report exposed an alleged plot to fix the upcoming opening Test between Sri Lanka and England in November this year, Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to appoint an independent curator in future to work with local groundsmen. According to a report in Qatar-based TV channel Al Jazeera, match fixers have been caught [...]
SLC wakes up with an independent committee of inquiry
Sri Lanka Cricket on Friday woke up from a long slumber and hurriedly set up an independent committee to study a domestic match-fixing scandal that rocked the country last year. The appointment comes just days before the election of office bearers but four months after receiving written instructions from the Ministry of Sports. If the [...]
NSSF sticks to its guns and shoots down Asian Games trip
The National Shooting Sports Federation of Sri Lanka (NSSF) has decided to forego the upcoming 18th Asian Games 2018 to be held in Jakarta and Palembang, citing the continuous disagreement of National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC) to allow a shooting coach. According to sources the NSSF had made this decision at a recent [...]
Nishantha Ranatunga petitions against Thilanga candidacy
Former Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Nishantha Ranatunga says that even against seemingly heavy odds he has come forward to contest for the post of SLC President for the sole reason of saving the game’s future for the next cricketing generation. Ranatunga told the Sunday Times, “I field an 1,800 page objection against the candidacy of [...]
Tharaka Samarakoon adjudged Best Athlete
Tharaka Bandara Samarakoon of St. Thomas’ College Matale was adjudged as the Best Male Athlete for his outstanding performance in the boys U-20 long jump (6.52m) while M.D. Sadali Amaya of St. Thomas’ Girls’ School Matale who returned best timing (1m 5 sec.) in the U-20 girls 400m event was named the Best Female Athlete [...]
SLC AGM to be postponed?
There are ominous signs that the SLC Annual General Meeting scheduled for May 31 would be postponed. According reliable sources a case has been filed in the Colombo District Court – 3 by the Mutwal Cricket Club against Sri Lanka Cricket seeking a writ against SLC to allegedly defer the AGM and the hearing to [...]
Barmy Army war — SLC on damage control mode
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Friday went into damage control mode after the Barmy Army’s incensed reaction to what it said were exorbitant ticket prices for the upcoming England Test tour of Sri Lanka. The sport’s governing body is now offering the fifth day’s play free of charge for all visitors who buy tickets for [...]
Jamaldeen speaks of referees’ role in crowd behaviour
Rugby referees in Sri Lanka are presently accused of incompetence in handling the Schools’ League. There is concern over the physical fitness of referees in their ability to keep time with the fast-paced schools’ game. Also of concern is the mental fibre referees possess when thrown into a game of great intensity, where the ground [...]
Sisira Kumara wins Grand Prix May Edition at 12 under par
George Patrick Sisira Kumara completed a pillar to post victory as he returned a 3 under par closing Round to hold on to the lead, by 2 strokes from Amarapadma who finished strongly with the joint best card in the final round at 4 under par. Sachin De Silva too shared the best Card score [...]
Avancka Herat wins Standard Chartered Bank Golf title too
The Standard Chartered Bank sponsored a special Golf Tournament conducted at the picturesque Shangri-La Hambantota Golf Course for Standard Chartered Bank, Customers, who were hosted for the 2 day Tournament enjoying the newly laid-out links Course bordering the beautiful Southern Beach and Sea. The overall Best Gross Score prize in the Stableford format was won [...]
China on Lankan medal drive for 2019 SA games
COLOMBO, May 24, 2018: China has pledged to back Sri Lanka’s medal campaign at next year’s South Asian Games offering to host and train athletes at no cost to the local federations. Top Chinese sports leader Gou Zhongwen made this promise to Sri Lankan counterpart Suresh Subramaniam this week when the two met in Beijing [...]
Schools Rugby jigsaw patched up
Minister of Sports, Faiszer Mustapha chaired a forum on Friday morning with Sri Lanka Rugby Referees’ Society (SLRRS) chief Nizam Jamaldeen, Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) President, Ranjith Chandrasekara, Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) top official Lasitha Gunaratne and two top officials from the Ministry of Education — Asoka Senani Hewage and Colonel Manjula [...]
TRYING TO HAVE THEIR OWN WAY
The affairs of the main sports body are all haywire. At the moment as several top officials have been appointed and they seem to have no knowledge to handle the affairs. The head is a new minister and so is the second in command. Several are trying are trying to outwit them and have their [...]
While the bigwigs jig; others keep dribbling
From all that one can see, it appears that the task of reviving the fortunes of football is slowly but surely moving beyond the interest or capacity of the FFSL, the national association whose primary consideration it must be! Recent reports that the FFSL President himself was flying out to purchase World Cup tickets allocated [...]
Europe’s fatigue and fortunes on Clay
The top ranked professionals playing on clay for Europe’s rich purse are not having a comfortable run. As to who and which Tennis will win, is a mystery. It has become complicating to read the game on Clay. Nadal, a Spanish baseliner, is going to the net and winning. More than a single brand of [...]
Football wizard T.M. Amidon is no more
The demise of T.M. Amidon at 83, removes from our midst another outstanding Football player and sportsman of international fame, who will be sorely missed by his wide circle of Football fans, friends and relatives. Amidon was indeed a player endowed with great talent and skill, and displayed a high degree of sportsmanship on and [...]
School Rugby conundrum– who is responsible?
Vicious fights and ugly brawls have erupted during recent School matches, while ugly scenes endanger the young. This statement is made from a larger angle, not simply the physical violence at match venues, but includes depraving the minds of the young through physical as well as mental conditioning. This involves the fabric of Schools Rugby [...]
Right of Reply
Dear Sir Article written by M. Shamil Amit in the Sunday Times- Sports Page 25- of May 20, titled “Royal Huff and Puff but escape in a cliffhanger” With the approval of the SLSRFR President, I, as the Match Referee of the Wesley vs Royal match played on May 19, at the CR&FC grounds, wish [...]
Why Sri Lanka Cricket needs a new Constitution
Annual general meetings are a dime a dozen, especially in the sports scene. At the same time, AGMs differ according to circumstances. There are some organisations which are forced to seek political patronage — especially assistance from the ruling party politician, if not, the said sport will have no means of existence. They exist through [...]
Colombo to host Opening Round in March
The Lanka Powerboat Association (LPA) has successfully won the rights to host the opening round of the H20 Racing International Aquabike Championship from March 22-24, 2019. For the first time ever, Sri Lanka will enter a team for this event. The LPA will run an International Training Course in June to prepare Trainers, Racers and [...]
Rifle and Pistol Shooting C’ships from June 4
The National Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF) organised NSSF Open Rifle and Pistol Shooting Championship 2018 will be held from June 4 to 13 at the Sri Lanka Navy Small Bore Range, SLNS Gemunu, Welisara. Results of this championship will serve as a trial/selection for the forthcoming international meets in 2018/9. Entries closed on May 19 [...]
Magnanimous gesture by Bahrain RFC
Bahrain RFC, who toured Sri Lanka to play two friendly Rugby games in April, donated Rugby equipment to four selected Schools from the Western Province. This was in appreciation and as a gesture of goodwill to cement relationships with Sri Lanka Rugby. They also undertook a few coaching sessions and donated supplies to a orphanage [...]
Cream of WP Schoolboy Spikers in action
The 12th edition of the Blue, Gold & Blue Western Province (WP) Invitation Schools Volleyball (VB) Championship 2018, organised and conducted by the Royal College Union Volleyball Advisory & Management Committee (RCUVAMC), under the patronage of the RCU, will be held on June 9, 10, at the Royal College ground, Reid Avenue, Colombo. The tournament [...]
Ram Rathnavel Basketball final matches rescheduled
The final matches of the 12th Mercantile Knock-Out Basketball Tournament 2018 for the Ram Rathnavel Memorial Trophy scheduled to be played at the Edward Henry Pedris Sports Complex, Colombo 4 will be rescheduled after June 6 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium Courts on the directive of Sri Lanka Basketball Federation. Following Finals are to be [...]
Revan Kelly’s exploits make him second to one
Best Batsman-Runner-up A schoolboy batsman of the highest calibre, a prolific scorer in all three formats of cricket, is none other than Best Batsman-Runner-up Revan Kelly, the Josephian batting prodigy, who possesses the rare quality of being able to adjust to any version of the game he is involved. An elegant left-handed bat who enjoys [...]
A rising Star in Randeera Ranasinghe of St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala
A Cricket Captain’s dream is to have his school play in Division I, which was fulfilled by none other than Randeera Krishan Ranasinghe, the Skipper of St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala. He brought glory to the College by leading his school to the Division II finals, which saw them promoted to Division I. Having started his [...]
Kavisha Dilhari’s performances is more than her promise
Kavisha Dilhari’s contributions has been the cornerstone of Rathgama Devapathiraja College emerge champions in the All-Island Girls’ Schools Cricket Championship in 2016, ’17 and ’18, which is a very rare achievement. In recognition of her achievements she was selected to the National Women’s Cricket squad. Dedication, commitment and discipline has ensured Kavisha’s climb to the [...]
SL Air Force Ladies fire competitors out of contention
CTSSC’s Shankar Dharmaratne top Marksman The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) won Gold, while the Clay Target Shooting Sports Club (CTSSC) clinched Silver in the Open Men’s and Ladies’ Team Championship respectively at the National Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF) conducted Skeet Nationals 2018 held from May 18-20, at the CTSSC Range at Payagala. CTSSC’s Shankar [...]
History repeating itself seems more likely
Thelijjawila Central College will host Siddhartha College Weligama at the Uyanwatta Stadium, Matara, on May 31, for their 4th Theli-Sidu Battle of the Thrones. The inaugural Cricket encounter known as the ‘Ruhunu Theli-Sidu Satana’, between the two schools, was first played in 2015, and hosted by Siddartha College at the Senanayake Ground, Weligama. All 3 [...]
Schoolboy Hockey Fiesta in the Hills
The 4th Matale Thomians’ All-Island Schools Hockey 7s 2018 will be conducted by the Matale Old Thomians’ Hockey Association (MOTHA) on June 3 at Edward Park, Matale. The main Sponsors of this tournament are Singer Sri Lanka Plc and People’s Bank, while the Co-Sponsor is Diana Biscuits Co. The Educational Partner is NSBM Green University [...]