News
Another investigation against Chamika Karunaratne
Sri Lankan all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne has been ordered to conduct an investigation once again by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe after a letter written about the player’s behaviour during the T20 World Cup tournament held in Australia last month was made public.
Karunaratne was banned for one year and fined US$5000 by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after Sri Lanka Cricket’s own investigation but asked the Sports Minister to explain his exclusion from the Afghanistan series.
“At the end of Australia’s World Cup tour, I had a discussion with the national coach regarding tour options for Sri Lanka’s tour of Afghanistan. As names were called, Chamika’s name was discussed in detail and the discussion about Chamika’s selection resulted in Chamika’s removal from the tour as the national coach lost faith in him as his coach was exposed as untruthful. On several occasions. “The coach was of the opinion that Chamika was not focused on his game,” Wickramasinghe wrote.
“Even during the T20 World Cup in Australia I observed Chamik very closely, my observation was that wherever we went in the interior he was more focused on meeting women of Sri Lankan origin residing in Australia. Also, I would like to note that he has missed several training sessions on the tour citing feeling ill, however, I have reason to believe that he has been staying with female companions at the hotel. (I would suggest requesting the hotel to provide CCTV footage on the days he is absent from training sessions.)
“It was revealed that his focus was not on cricket and this may have been a major reason why he was not able to perform as expected by the team management. I had a conference call with my fellow selection committee officials mentioning the above events. venue and we have decided to drop him from the tour of Afghanistan to ensure he recovers and focuses on taking his cricket seriously,” the chief selectors also wrote in their letter.
The chief selectors also suggested that the player be given psychological counselling before being considered for international cricket again.
චාමික කරුණාරත්නට එරෙහිව යළිත් වරක් පරීක්ෂණයක්
ශ්රී ලංකා තුන් ඉරියව් ක්රීඩක චාමික කරුණාරත්න පසුගිය මාසයේ ඔස්ට්රේලියාවේ පැවති T20 ලෝක කුසලාන තරඟාවලියේදී ජාතික කණ්ඩායම සමඟ තරඟ සංචාරයක නිරතව සිටියදී ක්රීඩකයාගේ හැසිරීම පිළිබඳව ලියා තිබූ ලිපියක් ප්රසිද්ධියේ පිටවීමත් සමඟ මෙවර ක්රීඩා අමාත්ය රොෂාන් රණසිංහගෙන් යළිත් වරක් පරීක්ෂණයක් පැවැත්වීමට නියෝග කර ඇත.
ශ්රී ලංකා ක්රිකට් ආයතනය විසින්ම පරීක්ෂණයක් සිදු කිරීමෙන් පසු කරුණාරත්නට ශ්රී ලංකා ක්රිකට් (SLC) විසින් වසරක තහනමක් සහ ඇමරිකානු ඩොලර් 5000 ක දඩයක් නියම කළ නමුත් ඔහු ඇෆ්ගනිස්ථාන තරඟාවලියෙන් ඉවත් කිරීම ක්රීඩා අමාත්යවරයාට පැහැදිලි කිරීමක් ඉල්ලා සිටියේය.
“ඕස්ට්රේලියානු ලෝක කුසලාන තරග සංචාරය අවසානයේදී මම ඇෆ්ගනිස්ථානයේ ශ්රී ලංකා සංචාරය සඳහා සංචාර තේරීම් සම්බන්ධයෙන් ජාතික පුහුණුකරු සමඟ සාකච්ඡාවක් පැවැත්වූවා. නම් කතා කරද්දී චාමිකගේ නම විස්තරාත්මකව කතාබහට ලක්වූ අතර චාමිකගේ තේරීම පිළිබඳ සාකච්ඡාවේ ප්රතිඵලය වූයේ චාමික පුහුණුකරුට සත්යවාදී නොවීම හෙළිවීම නිසා ජාතික පුහුණුකරුට ඔහු කෙරෙහි විශ්වාසයක් නැතිවී ඇති නිසා ඔහුව මෙම සංචාරයෙන් ඉවත් කිරීමයි. අවස්ථා කිහිපයකදී. චාමික ඔහුගේ ක්රීඩාව කෙරෙහි අවධානය යොමු නොකළ බව පුහුණුකරුගේ මතය විය,” වික්රමසිංහ ලිවීය.
“ඕස්ට්රේලියාවේ පැවති T20 ලෝක කුසලානය අතරතුර පවා මම චාමිකව ඉතා සමීපව නිරීක්ෂණය කළෙමි, මගේ නිරීක්ෂණය වූයේ අප අභ්යන්තරයේ කොතැනක ගියත් ඔහු ඕස්ට්රේලියාවේ පදිංචිව සිටින ශ්රී ලාංකික සම්භවයක් ඇති කාන්තාවන් හමුවීමට වැඩි අවධානයක් යොමු කළ බවයි. තවද, ඔහුට අසනීප බවක් දැනෙන බව සඳහන් කරමින් ඔහුට සංචාරයේ පුහුණු සැසි කිහිපයක් මග හැරී ඇති බව සටහන් කිරීමට මම කැමැත්තෙමි, කෙසේ වෙතත් ඔහු හෝටලයේ කාන්තා සහකාරියන්ට නවාතැන් ගෙන ඇති බව විශ්වාස කිරීමට මට හේතුවක් තිබේ. (ඔහු පුහුණු සැසිවලට නොපැමිණි දිනවලදී CCTV දර්ශන ලබා දෙන ලෙස හෝටලයට ඉල්ලීමක් කරන ලෙස මම යෝජනා කරමි.)
“ඔහුගේ අවධානය ක්රිකට් වෙත යොමු නොවූ බවත් කණ්ඩායම් කළමනාකාරිත්වය බලාපොරොත්තු වන අයුරින් ඔහුට ක්රීඩා කිරීමට නොහැකි වීමට මෙය ප්රධාන හේතුවක් වන්නට ඇති බවත් අනාවරණය විය. ඉහත සිදුවීම් සඳහන් කරමින් මම මගේ සෙසු තේරීම් කමිටු නිලධාරීන් සමඟ සම්මන්ත්රණ ඇමතුමක් ලබා ගත්තෙමි. ස්ථානය සහ අපි ඔහුව ඇෆ්ගනිස්තාන සංචාරයෙන් ඉවත් කිරීමට තීරණය කළේ ඔහු තම ක්රිකට් බැරෑරුම් ලෙස සැලකීමට අවධානය යොමු කර යථා තත්ත්වයට පත් කිරීමට වග බලා ගැනීම සඳහාය”, ප්රධාන තේරීම් කමිටුව ද සිය ලිපියේ ලියා ඇත.
නැවත ජාත්යන්තර ක්රිකට් සඳහා සලකා බැලීමට පෙර ක්රීඩකයාට මනෝවිද්යාත්මක උපදේශනයක් ලබා දෙන ලෙසද ප්රධාන තේරීම් කමිටුව යෝජනා කළේය.
சாமிக்க கருணாரத்னவுக்கு எதிராக மற்றுமொரு விசாரணை!
கடந்த மாதம் அவுஸ்திரேலியாவில் நடைபெற்ற டி20 உலகக் கிண்ணப் போட்டியின் போது குறித்த வீரரின் நடத்தை தொடர்பில் இலங்கை அணியின் சகலதுறை ஆட்டக்காரர் சாமிக கருணாரத்ன, விளையாட்டுத்துறை அமைச்சர் ரொஷான் ரணசிங்க எழுதிய கடிதம் பகிரங்கப்படுத்தப்பட்டதையடுத்து, அவரிடம் மீண்டும் விசாரணை நடத்த உத்தரவிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.
ஸ்ரீலங்கா கிரிக்கெட்டின் சொந்த விசாரணையின் பின்னர் கருணாரத்னேவுக்கு ஸ்ரீலங்கா கிரிக்கெட் (SLC) ஒரு வருட தடை மற்றும் US$5000 அபராதம் விதித்தது, ஆனால் அவர் ஆப்கானிஸ்தான் தொடரில் இருந்து விலக்கப்பட்டதற்கு விளையாட்டுத்துறை அமைச்சரிடம் விளக்கம் கேட்டார்.
“ஆஸ்திரேலியாவின் உலகக் கோப்பை சுற்றுப்பயணத்தின் முடிவில், இலங்கையின் ஆப்கானிஸ்தான் சுற்றுப்பயணத்திற்கான சுற்றுப்பயண விருப்பங்கள் குறித்து தேசிய பயிற்சியாளருடன் கலந்துரையாடினேன். பெயர்கள் அழைக்கப்பட்டதால், சாமிக்காவின் பெயர் விரிவாக விவாதிக்கப்பட்டது மற்றும் சமிக்காவின் தேர்வு பற்றிய விவாதம், அவரது பயிற்சியாளர் பொய்யானது என அம்பலப்படுத்தப்பட்டதால், தேசிய பயிற்சியாளர் அவர் மீதான நம்பிக்கையை இழந்ததால், சமிகா சுற்றுப்பயணத்திலிருந்து நீக்கப்பட்டார். பல சந்தர்ப்பங்களில். “சாமிகா தனது விளையாட்டில் கவனம் செலுத்தவில்லை என்று பயிற்சியாளர் கருதினார்” என்று விக்கிரமசிங்க எழுதினார்.
“அவுஸ்திரேலியாவில் நடைபெற்ற டி20 உலகக் கிண்ணத்தின் போது கூட நான் சாமிக்கை மிகவும் உன்னிப்பாக அவதானித்தேன், எனது அவதானிப்பு என்னவென்றால், நாங்கள் உள்நாட்டில் எங்கு சென்றாலும் அவர் ஆஸ்திரேலியாவில் வசிக்கும் இலங்கை வம்சாவளியைச் சேர்ந்த பெண்களைச் சந்திப்பதில் அதிக கவனம் செலுத்தினார். மேலும், அவர் உடல்நிலை சரியில்லாமல் இருப்பதாகக் கூறி சுற்றுப்பயணத்தில் பல பயிற்சி அமர்வுகளை தவறவிட்டார் என்பதை நான் கவனிக்க விரும்புகிறேன், இருப்பினும் அவர் ஹோட்டலில் பெண் தோழர்களுடன் தங்கியிருக்கிறார் என்று நான் நம்புவதற்கு காரணம் உள்ளது. (அவர் பயிற்சி அமர்வுகளில் இல்லாத நாட்களில் சிசிடிவி காட்சிகளை வழங்க ஹோட்டலைக் கோருமாறு நான் பரிந்துரைக்கிறேன்.)
“அவரது கவனம் கிரிக்கெட்டில் இல்லை என்பதும், அணி நிர்வாகம் எதிர்பார்த்தபடி அவரால் செயல்பட முடியாமல் போனதற்கு இது ஒரு முக்கிய காரணமாக இருக்கலாம் என்பதும் தெரியவந்தது. மேற்கண்ட நிகழ்வுகளைக் குறிப்பிட்டு எனது சக தேர்வுக் குழு அதிகாரிகளுடன் ஒரு மாநாட்டு அழைப்பை மேற்கொண்டேன். அவர் குணமடைந்து அவரது கிரிக்கெட்டை தீவிரமாக எடுத்துக்கொள்வதில் கவனம் செலுத்துவதை உறுதி செய்வதற்காக ஆப்கானிஸ்தான் சுற்றுப்பயணத்தில் இருந்து அவரை கைவிட முடிவு செய்துள்ளோம்” என்று தலைமை தேர்வாளர்கள் தங்கள் கடிதத்தில் எழுதினர்.
மீண்டும் சர்வதேச கிரிக்கெட்டுக்கு பரிசீலிக்கப்படுவதற்கு முன், வீரருக்கு உளவியல் ஆலோசனை வழங்கப்பட வேண்டும் என்றும் தலைமை தேர்வாளர்கள் பரிந்துரைத்தனர்.
News
Sri Lanka Set to Face UAE in Crucial Rugby Clash Tomorrow in Colombo
The Sri Lanka national rugby team will lock horns with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a much-anticipated international rugby encounter set to take place today (July 4) at the iconic Racecourse Ground, Colombo.
As part of their final preparations, the Sri Lankan team held an intensive training session today under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff. The team looked sharp, focused, and ready to bring their A-game to home soil.
This clash promises to be a key test for the Tuskers as they look to strengthen their footing in the regional rugby scene and gain momentum ahead of upcoming international competitions. UAE, a rising force in Asian rugby, will also be eyeing a big performance away from home.
Both teams are expected to field strong lineups, and the match is anticipated to draw significant interest from local fans eager to witness top-tier rugby action.
📍 Match Info
🗓️ Date: July 4, 2025
📍 Venue: Racecourse Rugby Grounds, Colombo
🕒 Kick-off: TBA
Stay tuned for live updates, photos, and post-match coverage on Sri Lankan Sports TV.
Football
Sri Lanka Women Crushed 8-0 by Nepal in AFC Qualifiers – Tactical Collapse Raises Alarm
Colombo, July 2 – Sri Lanka Women’s National Football Team suffered another brutal defeat in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, going down 8-0 to a confident and clinical Nepalese side. Coming just days after a 10-0 hammering by Uzbekistan, this latest loss highlights deeper tactical, technical, and structural issues within Sri Lanka’s women’s football system.
Full-Time Score: Sri Lanka 0 – 8 Nepal
Half-Time: 0 – 4
Venue: Group F – AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Key Match Statistics
Stat | Sri Lanka Women | Nepal Women |
---|---|---|
Possession | 50% | 50% |
Total Shots | 4 | 26 |
Shots on Target | 3 | 18 |
Shots off Target | 1 | 8 |
Expected Goals (xG) | 0.60 | 3.76 |
Corners | 0 | 14 |
Fouls | 4 | 6 |
Cards | 0 | 0 |
Offsides | 0 | 3 |
Tactical Breakdown – Why Sri Lanka Lost 8-0
Despite the possession being even at 50%, Sri Lanka was thoroughly outplayed. This is a classic case where possession stats mislead the reality on the pitch.
1. Poor Defensive Organization
- Sri Lanka conceded 14 corners and 18 shots on target, indicating that Nepal constantly penetrated both flanks and delivered into the box unchallenged.
- There was no compact defensive line, and Nepal exploited space behind Sri Lanka’s fullbacks repeatedly.
2. Ineffective Midfield Structure
- While Sri Lanka held possession equally, it was largely passive and in non-threatening zones.
- Nepal, on the other hand, converted their possession into 3.76 xG, showing how effective and vertical their transitions were.
3. Repeated Failures in Closing Down Key Players
- Sabitra Bhandari scored a hat-trick within 26 minutes (14’, 36’, 40’) and was left unmarked multiple times.
- Nepal’s attackers were given space and time to shoot – evident from the 18 shots on target.
4. No Offensive Threat
- Sri Lanka managed only 4 shots in the entire game, with an xG of just 0.60.
- With no corners and no real pressing, the team offered nothing going forward, allowing Nepal to push numbers up comfortably.
Back-to-Back Heavy Losses: Structural Failures Exposed
This defeat comes after a 10-0 loss to Uzbekistan, meaning Sri Lanka has now conceded 18 goals in two matches without scoring once.
This isn’t just a reflection of players’ on-field performance — it’s a glaring indictment of:
- FFSL’s failure to conduct any women’s football league in years
- A rushed team selection based on a short trial, without competitive match practice
- No structured coaching program or international exposure
- Lack of scouting, fitness programs, and tactical planning
Nepal, though not an Asian powerhouse, had better coaching structure, player chemistry, and clear tactics, which led to their dominance.
What’s Next for Sri Lanka?
If the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) and the Ministry of Sports continue to ignore these warning signs, Sri Lanka risks becoming irrelevant in women’s football on the Asian stage.
What’s needed:
- ✅ A proper national women’s league
- ✅ Regular youth-level competitions and scouting
- ✅ Appointing qualified coaching staff with modern tactical knowledge
- ✅ Consistent international exposure for players
Conclusion
An 8-0 defeat to Nepal isn’t just a bad result — it’s a mirror held up to a broken system. Unless real change is implemented beyond symbolic participation, these results will become Sri Lanka’s norm in women’s football.
News
Top International Referees to Officiate High-Profile Dialog Schools Rugby Matches in Sri Lanka
Colombo – In a significant boost for school-level rugby in Sri Lanka, two internationally renowned referees from Hong Kong have been appointed to officiate key Dialog Schools A Division Rugby League matches this weekend.
Sunny Lee to Referee Pathana–Thomian Clash
Sunny Lee, a celebrated female international rugby referee from Hong Kong, will take charge of the much-anticipated encounter between S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia and Isipathana College, Colombo. The prestigious Rizvy Suhayb Memorial Trophy match is set for July 5 at S. Thomas’ College Grounds, Mount Lavinia.
Lee’s presence is expected to bring elite-level officiating standards to this traditional rivalry, enhancing the competitive environment and offering student-athletes a platform to perform under world-class match management.
Francisco Cammisa to Oversee Trinity vs Royal Clash
On the same day in Kandy, another experienced Hong Kong referee, Francisco Cammisa, will officiate the top-tier fixture between Trinity College, Kandy and Royal College, Colombo at the Pallekele Rugby Stadium.
International Support for Local Rugby
The arrival of these elite foreign referees is made possible through the efforts of Dilroy Fernando, former international referee and referee educator. With backing from Asian Rugby (covering airfares) and the host schools (providing accommodation and hospitality), this initiative aims to uplift officiating standards and offer young Sri Lankan players the opportunity to compete at a globally recognized level.
Long-Term Impact on School Rugby
This strategic move is expected to:
- Enhance the quality and fairness of officiating in the Dialog Schools Rugby League
- Give emerging players exposure to world-class rugby conditions
- Strengthen partnerships between Sri Lankan rugby institutions and international bodies
The involvement of international referees like Sunny Lee and Francisco Cammisa also sends a strong message about gender inclusivity and professional standards in the sport
-
Live4 years ago
Live Broadcast of Syria vs Sri Lanka | AFC U23 Asian Championship Qualification
-
Football5 months ago
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025: Super 8 Fixtures and Grouping
-
Cricket1 month ago
Nuwan Thushara Shines as RCB Storms into IPL 2025 Final
-
News5 months ago
2025 Schools Rugby Season Set to Thrill Fans with Knockout and League Action
-
Football6 months ago
FFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision
-
Football4 months ago
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Concludes – Semifinalists Confirmed!
-
News4 years ago
We are Back
-
Football6 months ago
Erling Haaland Signs Record-Breaking 9.5-Year Contract Extension with Manchester City