Three Sri Lankan players representing Sunrisers Hyderabad — Kamindu Mendis, Dilshan Madushanka and Eshan Malinga — have left the Indian Premier League as the tournament approaches its final stages.

The trio returned to Sri Lanka on Thursday morning to complete visa formalities ahead of the national team’s upcoming tour of the West Indies in June, which will feature matches across all formats. According to reports, their brief return is solely to complete biometric requirements for the visa process.

Despite their absence, the players are expected to rejoin the squad in India shortly after completing the necessary procedures. With sufficient time before their next fixture, all three are likely to be available for selection.

Sunrisers Hyderabad are scheduled to play their next match on May 3 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Sri Lanka Women produced a polished all-round performance to defeat Bangladesh Women by 21 runs in the second T20I, sealing the series with a game to spare.

After being put into bat, the visitors posted a competitive 154 for 4 in their 20 overs, built on key contributions from skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama. The innings began cautiously, with Hasini Perera falling early, but Athapaththu steadied the innings with a fluent 42 off 37 balls, striking six boundaries.

The momentum shifted significantly during the latter half as Samarawickrama played an aggressive knock of 49 off just 29 deliveries, including two sixes. She found good support from Imeesha Dulani (27) and Nilakshika Silva, who remained unbeaten on 22, ensuring Sri Lanka finished strongly at a healthy run rate of 7.70. Bangladesh’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Fariha Trisna, Sultana Khatun, Nahida Akter, and Ritu Moni picking up one apiece.

Chasing 155, Bangladesh made a steady start through Dilara Akter and Juairiya Ferdous, who added 46 for the opening wicket. However, regular breakthroughs and sharp fielding dented their progress. Ferdous scored a brisk 29, while Sharmin Akhter anchored the innings with an unbeaten 44, but lacked sufficient support from the middle order.

Sri Lanka’s discipline in the field proved decisive, effecting three crucial run-outs. Kavisha Dilhari was the standout with the ball, claiming 2 for 15 in her four overs, while Sugandika Kumari maintained excellent control, conceding just 14 runs.
Bangladesh eventually finished on 133 for 5, falling short despite a late push.

The organisers of the high profile Ceylon Masters International Badminton Championship, Ceylon Masters Badminton (CMB), expects more foreign shuttlers to compete at their sixth edition, which is slotted to be played between June 25th and 29th in Colombo. The President of CMB, Rohan de Silva, speaking to reporters in Colombo to brief about the 2026 edition, stressed on the growth of the Ceylon Masters International Badminton Championship during the previous five seasons has indicated a great interest among well-known foreign masters players.

“The CMB has had impressive number of inquiries about the Ceylon Masters International Badminton Championship 2026, notably from interested foreign participants. This shows how the competition has grown during the five years adhering to quality and international standards. The Ceylon Masters International Badminton Championship has now become an important tournament in the international masters’ badminton calendar and CMB is proud to have taken this competition to this level,” Rohan de Silva noted.

With a galaxy of master’s badminton players, both local and international, due to participate at the Ceylon Masters International Badminton Championship 2026, CMB are expecting to have no stone unturned to make the sixth edition a huge success. All arrangements are now underway to provide all participants the facilities required to conveniently access the venue and use the many amenities on site as they prepare to compete vigorously for honours and attractive prize money of USD 15,000.

“The Ceylon Masters International Badminton Championship is beyond just a competition. It assures Sri Lanka of extra tourist arrivals as players taking part during the weeklong competition usually come down with their families with the intention of spending extra time travelling around the country after the completion of the tournament. This is one aspect Sri Lanka could further develop with the government’s support,” Sumudu Kumarasinghe, the Secretary of CMB stated.

CMB stated that foreign entrants will be offered easy transport connections from the Bandaranaike International Airport to hotels in Colombo and other accommodation, as well as a shuttle service to the venue and back during the match days. This is a specialty that makes Colombo Masters International Badminton Championship one of the world’s leading masters competitions.

“There is another advantage, notably to the local masters players, who are unable to fulfil the desire to compete at international tournaments held elsewhere in the world. Sri Lanka has around over 1000 active masters shuttlers and the CMB competition is a great platform for them to gain international experience against high profile players from around the world,” explained Nishantha Jayamanne, a member of the organising committee as well as the CMB.

The Ceylon Masters International Badminton Championship 2026 will have the corporate backing from leading local entities such as McLarens Group and Prime Lands with Li-Ning, an international sports brand, continuing their commitment this season as well. CMB has made arrangements with Jetwing Travels to coordinate with logistical concerns for inbound travelling for foreign participants who stay beyond the competition and explore the country.