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KJP urges youngsters to play with the positive mindset

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Kusal Perera’s aftermath of the first T20I, which Sri Lanka won via Super Over, the southpaw urged his teammates to play with greater energy during T20 internationals.

“It’s hard to play a T20 without momentum, and to win in T20 cricket you need a batter to provide that momentum,” Perera said during the post-match conference.

“There are a lot of young players in the squad, and what I’ve told them is you have to start learning now how to handle uncomfortable situations. Bowlers aren’t going to bowl how you like, they’re going to analyse you and be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. We need to be smart in those situations.”

Perera revealed that the key to Sri Lanka’s success, on the day, was every single batter going out to bat with a positive mindset.

Earlier New Zealand had won the toss and put Sri Lanka to bat first where the islanders posted 196-5, thanks to Charith Asalanka’s top knock of 67 off 41 balls.

Kusal Perera (53), Kusal Mendis (25) and Wanindu Hasaranga (21) also played fine hands to help the tourists post a healthy 196 on the board.

In response, New Zealand lost both openers in the first two overs, but Tom Latham (27) and Daryll Mitchell (66) then shared a 63-run partnership.

Despite losing wickets, New Zealand found boundaries with regularity and stayed within touching distance of the target.

With 7 runs required to win off the last ball Ish Sodhi smashed a six-over deep mid-wicket to take the match into a super over.

In the super over New Zealand mustered just eight runs from their over, and it took the Sri Lankans just half their allotted six to get the job done as Charith Asalanka cleared the ropes from an Adam Milne slower ball and then ramped the next for four more.

“I went ahead with a positive mindset, I wasn’t thinking about how long I had been out. Likewise, all the other batters also went out with a positive mindset, and that’s how we managed to capitalise on the conditions,” Perera further added.

The knock on Sunday was Perera’s first T20I fifty in three years, and while he was satisfied with his showing, the veteran claimed that there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

“Of course being out there in the middle and playing, I’m very happy with my performance. More than that I’m happy that the team won. That said I know there’s room for improvement and that will only come as I improve my match rhythm.”

KJP තරුණයන්ගෙන් ඉල්ලා සිටින්නේ ධනාත්මක මානසිකත්වයකින් ක්‍රීඩා කරන ලෙසයි

ශ්‍රී ලංකාව සුපිරි ඕවරය හරහා ජයග්‍රහණය කළ පළමු විස්සයි20 තරගයෙන් පසුව කුසල් පෙරේරාගේ ප්‍රතිඵලය, සවුත්පාව් තම සගයන්ගෙන් ඉල්ලා සිටියේ විස්සයි20 ජාත්‍යන්තර තරගවලදී වැඩි ශක්තියකින් ක්‍රීඩා කරන ලෙසයි.

“වේගයක් නොමැතිව T20 ක්‍රීඩා කිරීම දුෂ්කර ය, T20 ක්‍රිකට් ජයග්‍රහණය කිරීමට ඔබට එම වේගය ලබා දීමට පිතිකරුවෙකු අවශ්‍ය වේ,” පෙරේරා තරගයෙන් පසු සමුළුව අතරතුර පැවසීය.

“සංචිතයේ තරුණ ක්‍රීඩකයින් විශාල ප්‍රමාණයක් සිටින අතර, මම ඔවුන්ට පැවසූ දෙය නම්, ඔබ දැන් ඉගෙනීමට පටන් ගත යුතු අපහසුතාවයන් සමඟ කටයුතු කරන්නේ කෙසේද යන්නයි. පන්දු යවන්නන් ඔබ කැමති ආකාරයට පන්දු යැවීමට යන්නේ නැත, ඔවුන් ඔබව විශ්ලේෂණය කර ඔබේ ශක්තීන් සහ දුර්වලතා පිළිබඳව දැනුවත් වනු ඇත. එවැනි අවස්ථාවලදී අපි බුද්ධිමත් විය යුතුයි.”

ශ්‍රී ලංකා කණ්ඩායමේ ජයග්‍රහණයේ ප්‍රධානතම හේතුව වූයේ සෑම පිතිකරුවෙක්ම ධනාත්මක චින්තනයකින් පිතිකරණයට යාම බව පෙරේරා අනාවරණය කළේය.

මීට පෙර කාසියේ වාසිය දිනූ නවසීලන්ත කණ්ඩායම ප්‍රථමයෙන් පන්දුවට පහර දීමට ශ්‍රී ලංකා පිලට ඇරයුම් කළ අතර එහිදී ලකුණු 196-5ක් ලබා ගත් චරිත් අසලංක පන්දු 41කදී ලකුණු 67ක් රැස් කළේය.

කුසල් පෙරේරා (53), කුසල් මෙන්ඩිස් (25) සහ වනිඳු හසරංග (21) ද හොඳින් ක්‍රීඩා කරමින් සංචාරක ක්‍රීඩකයින් හට සෞඛ්‍ය සම්පන්න ලකුණු 196 ක් ලබා ගැනීමට උපකාර කළහ.

පිළිතුරු ලෙස නවසීලන්ත පිලට පළමු ඕවර දෙකේදී ආරම්භක පිතිකරුවන් දෙදෙනාම අහිමි වූ නමුත් පසුව ටොම් ලේතම් (27) සහ ඩැරල් මිචෙල් (66) ලකුණු 63 ක සම්බන්ධතාවක් ගොඩනැගූහ.

කඩුලු දැවී ගියද නවසීලන්තය විධිමත් ලෙස සීමා මායිම් සොයා ගනිමින් ඉලක්කයට ළඟා විය හැකි දුරින් රැඳී සිටියේය.

අවසන් පන්දුවේදී ජයග්‍රහණය සඳහා ලකුණු 7ක් අවශ්‍යව තිබියදී ඉෂ් සෝදි ඕවර හයේ ඩීප් මිඩ් විකට් එකක් දවාලමින් තරගය සුපිරි ඕවරයකට රැගෙන ගියේය.

සුපිරි ඕවරයේදී නවසීලන්ත පිලට ඔවුන්ගේ ඕවරයෙන් රැස්කර ගත හැකි වූයේ ලකුණු 8ක් පමණක් වූ අතර, චරිත් අසලංක ඇඩම් මිල්න්ගේ මන්දගාමී පන්දුවකින් ලණු ඉවත් කර ඊළඟ පන්දුව තවත් හතරකට වේගවත් කළ බැවින් කාර්යය ඉටු කිරීමට ශ්‍රී ලංකා ක්‍රීඩකයන්ට ගත වූයේ ඔවුන්ගේ නියමිත හයේ භාගයක් පමණි. .

“මම ධනාත්මක මානසිකත්වයකින් ඉදිරියට ගියා. මම කොච්චර වෙලාවක් එළියට ගියාද කියලා හිතුවේ නැහැ. ඒ වගේම අනෙක් සියලුම පිතිකරුවන් ධනාත්මක මානසිකත්වයකින් එළියට ගියා. අපි කොන්දේසි වලින් ප්‍රයෝජන ගත්තෙ එහෙමයි,” පෙරේරා වැඩිදුරටත් පැවසීය. එකතු කළා.

ඉරිදා එල්ල වූ පහර වසර තුනකට පසු පෙරේරාගේ පළමු විස්සයි20 අර්ධ ශතකය වූ අතර, ඔහුගේ දස්කම් ගැන ඔහු සෑහීමකට පත්වන අතර, ප්‍රවීණයා කියා සිටියේ වැඩිදියුණු කිරීමට තවමත් ඕනෑ තරම් ඉඩ ඇති බවයි.

“ඇත්තෙන්ම මැද්දේ එළියේ ඉඳලා ක්‍රීඩා කරනවා, මගේ දක්‍ෂතාවය ගැන මම ගොඩක් සතුටු වෙනවා. ඊට වඩා කණ්ඩායම දිනපු එක ගැන මම සතුටු වෙනවා. ඒ කිව්වේ මම දන්නවා දියුණු වෙන්න ඉඩක් තියෙනවා කියලා. මම මගේ දියුණුවට පස්සේ තමයි ඒක එන්නේ කියලා. රිද්මයට ගැලපේ.”

இளைஞர்கள் நேர்மறை எண்ணத்துடன் விளையாட வேண்டும் என்று KJP கேட்டுக்கொள்கிறது

சூப்பர் ஓவர் மூலம் இலங்கை வென்ற முதல் T20I இன் குசல் பெரேராவின் பின்விளைவு, தென்பாகம் T20 சர்வதேசப் போட்டிகளில் அதிக ஆற்றலுடன் விளையாடுமாறு தனது அணியினரை வலியுறுத்தினார்.

“வேகம் இல்லாமல் டி20 விளையாடுவது கடினம், டி20 கிரிக்கெட்டில் வெற்றி பெற அந்த வேகத்தை வழங்க உங்களுக்கு ஒரு பேட்டர் தேவை” என்று போட்டிக்கு பிந்தைய மாநாட்டின் போது பெரேரா கூறினார்.

“அணியில் நிறைய இளம் வீரர்கள் உள்ளனர், நான் அவர்களிடம் கூறியது என்னவென்றால், சங்கடமான சூழ்நிலைகளை எவ்வாறு கையாள்வது என்பதை நீங்கள் இப்போது கற்றுக் கொள்ள வேண்டும். பந்து வீச்சாளர்கள் நீங்கள் விரும்பும் விதத்தில் பந்துவீசப் போவதில்லை, அவர்கள் உங்களைப் பகுப்பாய்வு செய்து உங்கள் பலம் மற்றும் பலவீனங்களை அறிந்து கொள்ளப் போகிறார்கள். இதுபோன்ற சூழ்நிலைகளில் நாம் புத்திசாலித்தனமாக இருக்க வேண்டும்.”

இலங்கையின் வெற்றிக்கான திறவுகோல், அன்றைய தினம், ஒவ்வொரு பேட்டரும் நேர்மறையான மனநிலையுடன் பேட்டிங் செய்யச் செல்வதே என்று பெரேரா வெளிப்படுத்தினார்.

முன்னதாக நியூசிலாந்து டாஸ் வென்று இலங்கையை முதலில் பேட் செய்ய வைத்தது, அங்கு தீவுவாசிகள் 196-5 ரன்களை எடுத்தனர், சரித் அசலங்காவின் அதிகபட்ச 41 பந்துகளில் 67 ரன்களுக்கு நன்றி.

குசல் பெரேரா (53), குசல் மெண்டிஸ் (25) மற்றும் வனிந்து ஹசரங்க (21) ஆகியோரும் சிறப்பாக விளையாடி சுற்றுலாப் பயணிகளுக்கு ஆரோக்கியமான 196 ரன்களை எடுக்க உதவினார்கள்.

பதிலுக்கு, நியூசிலாந்து முதல் இரண்டு ஓவர்களில் இரு தொடக்க ஆட்டக்காரர்களையும் இழந்தது, ஆனால் டாம் லாதம் (27) மற்றும் டேரில் மிட்செல் (66) பின்னர் 63 ரன்கள் பார்ட்னர்ஷிப்பைப் பகிர்ந்து கொண்டனர்.

விக்கெட்டுகளை இழந்த போதிலும், நியூசிலாந்து வழக்கமான எல்லைகளை கண்டது மற்றும் இலக்கை தொடும் தூரத்தில் இருந்தது.

கடைசி பந்தில் வெற்றிக்கு 7 ரன்கள் தேவை என்ற நிலையில், இஷ் சோதி சிக்ஸர் ஓவரில் டீப் மிட் விக்கெட்டை அடித்து ஆட்டத்தை சூப்பர் ஓவருக்கு கொண்டு சென்றார்.

சூப்பர் ஓவரில் நியூசிலாந்து தனது ஓவரில் வெறும் 8 ரன்களை மட்டுமே எடுத்தது, மேலும் சரித் அசலங்கா ஆடம் மில்னே ஸ்லோயர் பந்தில் இருந்து கயிற்றை துடைத்ததால், அடுத்ததை மேலும் நான்கு ரன்களுக்கு உயர்த்தியதால், அந்த வேலையைச் செய்ய இலங்கை வீரர்கள் அவர்களுக்கு ஒதுக்கப்பட்ட சிக்ஸரில் பாதி மட்டுமே தேவைப்பட்டது. .

“நான் நேர்மறையான மனநிலையுடன் முன்னேறினேன், எவ்வளவு நேரம் நான் அவுட்டாக இருந்தேன் என்பதைப் பற்றி நான் யோசிக்கவில்லை. அதேபோல், மற்ற அனைத்து பேட்டர்களும் நேர்மறையான மனநிலையுடன் வெளியேறினர், அதனால்தான் நாங்கள் நிலைமைகளைப் பயன்படுத்திக் கொள்ள முடிந்தது,” பெரேரா மேலும் கூறினார். சேர்க்கப்பட்டது.

ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை அடித்தது பெரேராவின் மூன்று ஆண்டுகளில் முதல் T20I அரைசதம் ஆகும், மேலும் அவர் தனது காட்சியில் திருப்தி அடைந்தபோது, ​​முன்னேற்றத்திற்கு இன்னும் நிறைய இடங்கள் இருப்பதாக மூத்த வீரர் கூறினார்.

“நிச்சயமாக நடுவில் வெளியே இருந்து விளையாடி, எனது செயல்திறனில் நான் மிகவும் மகிழ்ச்சியடைகிறேன். அதைவிட அணி வெற்றி பெற்றதில் நான் மகிழ்ச்சியடைகிறேன். அதில் முன்னேற்றத்திற்கு இடம் இருக்கிறது என்று எனக்குத் தெரியும், நான் என்னை மேம்படுத்தினால் மட்டுமே அது வரும். மேட்ச் ரிதம்.”

Football

FFSL Misses FIFA Opportunities Again Amid Concerns of Transparency and Inaction

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While FIFA continues to invest heavily in global football development through initiatives like Forward 3.0 and Football for Schools (F4S), the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) once again finds itself lagging behind—not because of lack of funding opportunities, but due to its own failures in administration, planning, and transparency.

Millions Left on the Table

FIFA’s Forward 3.0 programme offers USD 8 million per member association for the 2023–2026 cycle—an increase from previous cycles. These funds are specifically allocated for operational costs and football development projects, including infrastructure, national team support, grassroots leagues, and more.

Under Forward 3.0, FIFA allocates:

  • USD 5 million for operational costs
  • USD 3 million for infrastructure and development projects

Yet, as of April 2025, FFSL has failed to fully leverage these funds. Most notably, Sri Lanka missed out on FIFA’s Football for Schools initiative, which offers USD 50,000, training content, digital platforms, and Adidas footballs for schools. Since the programme began in 2019, over 100 nations have actively rolled it out. Sri Lanka is not one of them.

Lack of Vision or Lack of Will?

Despite FIFA’s clear roadmap and generous funding, FFSL’s inability to fulfill the conditions required—such as active domestic leagues, functional youth structures, and proper digital systems—has blocked their eligibility for key fund releases.

The federation’s operations are also marred by repeated promises and half-baked publicity stunts. Take for example the international stadium project, which was announced multiple times across various locations—Port City, Negombo, and most recently Colombo—but not a single brick has been laid. These announcements appear to be more about media optics than serious project planning or execution.

Global Benchmark: A Stark Contrast

While other nations are making strides in football development using FIFA funds—as showcased in FIFA’s Member Associations in Focus – January 2025 (link)—Sri Lanka continues to fall behind. Countries like India, Nepal, and the Maldives have successfully hosted international matches, built infrastructure, and even expanded their youth programmes using Forward funding.

Meanwhile, FFSL’s financial practices continue to raise questions. A lack of clear audits, poorly executed projects, and insufficient stakeholder engagement have painted a picture of administrative incompetence.

Time for Accountability

As Sri Lanka’s football stagnates while the rest of Asia pushes forward, fans and stakeholders must demand greater transparency, professionalism, and action. It’s time the FFSL stopped making headlines and started building foundations—literally and metaphorically—for the future of football in the country.

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Athletics

Sri Lanka Secures Three Medals at Asian U18 Athletics Championships – Day 3 Highlights

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Dammam, Saudi Arabia – April 17

The third day of the 6th Asian U18 Athletics Championships in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, delivered a vibrant mix of speed, strength, and rising talent from across the continent. Set against the backdrop of Prince Nayef Sports City, over 400 athletes representing 31 nations competed with passion and purpose. Among them, Sri Lanka earned three spots on the podium with standout performances in track and field.

🌟 Sewmini Fernando was the star on the track, sprinting to silver in the Girls’ 100m final. Clocking an impressive 11.92 seconds, she finished just behind China’s Zhang Qian, in what was one of the evening’s most closely watched races. Her performance not only demonstrated raw speed but also Sri Lanka’s growing potential in sprint events on the Asian stage.

🥉 Meanwhile, in the Boys’ 1500m final, Lahiru Achintha displayed excellent race awareness and endurance, finishing in third place with a time of 3:59.47. His tactical approach and strong finish earned Sri Lanka a bronze medal, making him one of the standout middle-distance performers of the day.

🏅 In addition to these podium finishes, Janith Lakshan Jenkins leapt into medal contention in the Men’s U18 Triple Jump, claiming silver with a mark of 15.10 meters, just behind China’s Dong Zhiyuan.

Though only three athletes officially medaled on Day 3, performances across the board showed promise, heart, and competitive spirit — vital traits for building a strong future in athletics.

Stay tuned as Team Sri Lanka continues to compete and inspire at this prestigious youth championship.

🟡 Sri Lanka’s Medal Count – Day 3
🥈 Sewmini Fernando – Girls’ 100m
🥈 Janith Lakshan Jenkins – Boys’ Triple Jump
🥉 Lahiru Achintha – Boys’ 1500m

#SriLankaAthletics #AsianU18 #SewminiFernando #LakshanJenkins #LahiruAchintha #SriLankanYouth #Dammam2025 #TrackAndField #SriLankanSportsTV #PrideOfTheNation

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News

Sri Lanka Names 25-Man Squad for Crucial Rugby Clash Against Malaysia

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Sri Lanka Rugby has officially received the Sports Minister’s approval for a 25-member national squad, led by seasoned campaigner Nigel Ratwatte, ahead of the high-stakes playoff match against Malaysia. The game will determine qualification for the Asia Rugby Top 4 Championship, a key milestone in Sri Lanka’s bid for a spot at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The match, scheduled for April 19, is expected to be a fierce contest as the Tuskers aim to re-establish themselves among Asia’s rugby elite. A win would secure home games against South Korea and UAE, with the away fixture coming against Hong Kong.

The squad features a mix of experienced players and promising young talent, showing the depth of Sri Lanka’s rugby potential. Backline firepower includes Danushka Ranjan, Akash Madhushanka, and Janidu Dilshan, while the forward pack boasts names like Janidu Fernando, Pulasthi Dissanayake, and Lasindu Karunathilake.

Approved Squad for Malaysia Match

Forwards:

  1. Janidu Fernando
  2. Pulasthi Dissanayake
  3. Senura Perera
  4. Naveen Marasinghe
  5. Thilina Bandara
  6. Nizran Nillar
  7. Tharindu Chathuranga
  8. Lasindu Karunathilake

Backs:

  1. Heshan Jansen
  2. Nigel Ratwatte (Captain)
  3. Janidu Dilshan
  4. Akash Madhushanka
  5. Danushka Ranjan
  6. Dinal Ekanayake
  7. Mursheed Zubair

Finishers (Replacements):

  1. Vimukthi Gamage
  2. Nirosh Perera
  3. Mohamed Rifan
  4. Thenuka Nanayakkara
  5. Pasindu Bandara
  6. Thanuja Jayaweera
  7. Dahan Wickramarachchi
  8. Venura Kodagoda

Standby:

  1. Malitha Wijesundara
  2. Hirantha Perera

Team Management & Support Staff

  • Chef De Mission: Udaya Hettiarachchi
  • Team Manager: Rohan Chinthaka
  • Head Coach: Sanath Martis
  • Forwards Coach: Dushanth Lewke
  • Backs Coach: Saliya Kumara
  • Strength & Conditioning Coach: Tharaka Algama
  • Team Doctor: Dr. Pradeep Kiriella
  • Physiotherapist: Shafin Majeed
  • Masseurs: Manoj Silva, Sanka Dilshan de Silva, L. P. P. Sameera

With preparations intensifying, the squad is in full training mode under the guidance of Sanath Martis and his coaching unit. The players are eyeing a return to the continental spotlight, and the nation will be rallying behind the boys in maroon as they take on Malaysia in this do-or-die battle.

Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for full match coverage and updates.

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