One skipper: two deputies
Dasun Shanaka remains Sri Lanka skipper for the white-ball series against India, which starts in January next year, but has two vice captains in Kusal Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga, as selectors look to groom leaders. While he has done a decent job, Shanaka is on the verge of being fired–at least from the T20 version–as [...]
Uncapped Nuwanidu earns ODI call-up
Uncapped Nuwanidu Fernando has earned his first ODI call-up, while batters Avishka Fernando and Sadeera Samarawickrema have been included in both ODI and T20 sides for the six-match white-ball series against India, starting early January 2023. Also back in the side are all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne (T20, ODI), Pramod Madushan (T20, ODI), Dilshan Madushanka (T20, ODI), [...]
Amendments to Sport Law: Path to success or disaster?
Centralising powers with the Sports Minister, the Sports Ministry has introduced a series of intrusive and restrictive regulations compromising the autonomy and independence of registered national sports bodies in the country. These changes came into effect on December 14, 2022, and see many current officials being barred from contesting at elections next year due to [...]
Kandy in close win over CR
Despite playing with 14 men for almost half of the game, CR&FC gave defending SLR Nippon Rugby League champions Kandy SC, the toughest challenge in the recent times, before conceding to a narrow 11-13 loss at Longdon Place yesterday. Kandy SC failed to capitalise from the kickoff, yet they were able to make headway with [...]
Rehan, Ramiru, Dasis guide Royal to victory
An unbeaten 150 by Rehan Peiris and fine all-round performances by Ramiru Perera and Dasis Manchanayake helped Royal to record a convincing 10-wicket win over D.S. Senanayake College in the Under-19 inter-school cricket encounter concluded at Reid Avenue yesterday. Meanwhile Ananda coasted to an innings and 18-run win over St. Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa in another [...]
Record opening stand gives Dambulla first win
Dambulla Aura claimed their first win in the ongoing Lanka Premier League season, beating Galle Gladiators by 48 runs in their sixth game played at the R Premadasa Stadium last evening. Having suffered five losses on the trot, Dasun Shanaka led team were in a must win situation to have any hopes of qualifying for [...]
Messi targets World Cup glory against Mbappe’s France
DOHA AFP Dec 17, 2022: Lionel Messi is hoping to crown his stellar career by leading Argentina to World Cup glory on Sunday butKylian Mbappe’s history-chasing France are standing in his way. Qatar’s World Cup has been tarnished by controversy off the pitch but it concludes with the electrifying prospect of a final between two [...]
Havelocks ward off Air Force scare to record thrilling win
Havelocks SC had to live through episodes of horror before turning down a possible Air Force win as they recorded a narrow 36-35 win in a thrilling SLR Nippon Paint Club Rugby League game played at Ratmalana yesterday. Havelocks was cruising to gain a lead of 19-6 at halftime, and completed with a tally of [...]
Mbappe seeks to re-order football’s hierarchy in World Cup final
DOHA AFP Dec 17, 2022: Kylian Mbappe can on Sunday become the youngest player to win two World Cups since Pele achieved the feat at the age of 21. Mbappe, who turns 24 two days after the final, is the joint leading scorer with five goals at this World Cup and the face of football’s [...]
Malaysian T20 league set to take cricket to new heights
In a major step to boost the popularity of cricket in South Asian countries, the IPG Group is coming up with the Malaysian T20 league in June-July in 2023. After the rousing success of the three editions of the Lanka Premier League, the IPG Group has another big mission on its mind and will start [...]
Alvarez targets star billing for Argentina after meteoric rise
DOHA AFP Dec 17, 2022: Julian Alvarez came to the World Cup as a peripheral figure for Argentina but is preparing for Sunday’s final against France as their new star in attack. The young Manchester City forward started just one of Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers and came to Qatar behind Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez [...]
Drama as SLR chief gets reinstated
The directive issued by the Minister of Sports, Roshan Ranasinghe, on recommending Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) President Rizly Illyas to be removed from his elected position, has been reversed at least for another six weeks, after the initial hearing at the Court of Appeal. Illyas, challenging the directive issued by the Minister of Sports, through [...]
Wanuja Sahan – a genuine all-rounder in the making
Ever since the conclusion of the Sri Lanka Under-19 team’s tour of England this year, the cricketing fraternity has been observing the progress of Wanuja Sahan, a promising young left-arm spinner who played a crucial role in enabling Sri Lanka to win their maiden Youth Test Series in England. Wanuja’s cricketing journey began at the [...]
Super Coach Nick Bollittieri of USA no more
In the global professional circuit of the 1970s, Arthur Ashe, Dennis Ralston and Chuck McKinley of the USA along with Australians and Europeans dominated the men’s field. After that Swedes Borg, Wilander, Edberg and Check Republic’s Lendl dominated. It was in this period Nick Bollettieri’s name surfaced as a coach. Bollettieri never played professional tennis. [...]
FIFA Final goes live on giant screens at Negombo Beach and CH&FC
As World Cup Football fever peaks with the grand finale today, the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA), Sri Lanka Tourist Board and Dialog Axiata have partnered to showcase the world premier event live between Argentina and France on a giant screen from 8.30pm onwards at the Beach Park in Negombo and CH&FC ground in Colombo. [...]
Trinity thrash Gurukula by innings
Trinity College completed a comprehensive win by an inning and 37 runs against Gurukula College in their Under-19 Inter-School cricket encounter concluded at Asgiriya yesterday. Trinity, batting first declared at 256 for the loss of eight wickets, and in replay Gurukula were shot out for 109 in their first innings, forcing a follow on, where [...]
Senkadagala Motor Fiesta 2022
Senkadagala Motor Fiesta–a motor show organised by the Senkadagala Motorsports Club, will be held on December 21 and 22 at Sahas Uyana in Kandy from 1.00p.m to 10.00pm. All top riders and drivers in Sri Lanka are expected to make their presence at the show along with their motor cars and bikes. In addition, the [...]
St. Joseph’s and Visakha retain overall titles at 47th Schools Aquatic Championship 2022
St. Joseph’s College retained the schools swimming boys’ title for the 17th consecutive year, while Visakha Vidyalaya retained the overall girls’ championship for the second year running at the 47th Milo Sri Lanka Schools Aquatic Championship 2022 held at the Sugathadasa Swimming Complex last weekend. The Joes and Visakhians won both Senior and Junior titles [...]
Al Awwal Sports Day – celebrating a day of courage, dedication and upliftment
The annual Sports Day of Al Awwal School was held at the Janaka Ranawaka ground in Moragasmulla, Rajagiriya. Retired Navy Commander Manoj Indika Perera honoured the event as the chief Guest. Farha Muksith was named as the Best All-Rounder for the Year 2021. Parents, teachers and well-wishers attended this wonderful day of sportsmanship.
Saints’ Quadrangular Athletic Meet this weekend
Four of the leading Catholic schools in Sri Lanka, St. Anthony’s College Katugastota, St. Benedict’s College, St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College meet again at the annual Saints’ Quadrangular Athletic Championship, which began at the St. Peter’s College grounds in Bambalapitiya yesterday. This annual competition is eagerly looked forward to by the present and [...]