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Apna, Dinethya crown men and women’s champion
Sri Lanka Tennis Association Hard courts national 2023
Apna Perera of Ananda College and Dinethya Dharmarathne of Visakha Vidyalaya walked away with men’s and Women’s titles after high voltage Finals at the SLTA Hard courts national 2023 worked off yesterday at SLTA courts.
In the men’s Category, Apna Perera went head to head against top seed Kiran Viravanathan where the latter sweep away his opponent in a thrilling three-setter (6/3, 7/6, 6/4) to bag the Men’s title.
One of the highlights of the day was the women’s match where Dinethya Dharmarathne got the better of top Seed Janali Manamperi in a thrilling two-setter (7-6, 6-1).
It was a heated clash between Dinethya and Janali, where the latter set the tone from the get-go to frustrate her opponent in the early exchanges. She continued to go for
her shots from the outset, in addition to effectively employing the drop shot, which drew repeated errors from her opponent to wrap up the first set 7-6 and maintain her advantage to nudge in front.
In the second set things were much more competitive, and Dinethya’s experience came into play as she out-manoeuvred Janali to win 6-1 against the top seed, whose frustration began to show early in the second set as she was carted all over the place.
Janali put up a great fight but was unable to match Dinethya’s lethal strokes, taking control most of the time.
Janali committed multiple errors to hand Dinethya the advantage throughout the match but showed flashes of brilliance, Janali gave her level best to take things under control but young Dinethya was a step ahead all the time.
Though Janali look to put up a late fight the early damage was too much for her to handle as she went down fighting.
The win also saw Dinethya’s first Major title in the Local tennis arena. One of the brightest prospects for the future of Sri Lanka Tennis, Dinethya Dharmarathne will no doubt be the torchbearer of Sri Lanka tennis in the future.
අප්නා, දිනෙත්යා පිරිමි සහ කාන්තා ශූරිය බවට පත් විය
ශ්රී ලංකා ටෙනිස් සංගමය දෘඪ පිටියේ ජාතික 2023
SLTA හාඩ් කෝට් ජාතික 2023 හි පැවති අධි වෝල්ටීයතා අවසන් මහා තරඟයෙන් පසු ආනන්ද විද්යාලයේ අප්නා පෙරේරා සහ විශාඛා විද්යාලයේ දිනෙත්යා ධර්මරත්න ඊයේ SLTA උසාවියේ දී වැඩ කිරීමෙන් අනතුරුව පිරිමි සහ කාන්තා ශූරතා දිනා ගත්හ.
පිරිමි අංශයේ දී අප්නා පෙරේරා ප්රමුඛ ශ්රේණිගත කිරන් විරවනාදන්ට එරෙහිව මුහුණට මුහුණට මුහුණ දුන් අතර, එහිදී දෙවැන්නා සිය ප්රතිවාදියා ත්රිත්ව ත්රිත්ව පහරකින් (6/3, 7/6, 6/4) පරාජයට පත් කර පිරිමි ශූරතාව දිනා ගැනීමට සමත් විය.
දිනේත්යා ධර්මරත්න කාන්තා තරගයේදී පළමු වටයේ ක්රීඩිකාව වන ජනලී මනම්පේරිට එරෙහිව තියුණු තරගයකින් (7-6, 6-1) ජයග්රහණය ලබා ගැනීමට සමත් වූවාය.
එය දිනෙත්යා සහ ජනාලි අතර උණුසුම් ගැටුමක් වූ අතර, මුල් හුවමාරු වලදී තම ප්රතිවාදියා කලකිරීමට පත් කිරීමට දෙවැන්නා ආරම්භයේ සිටම ස්වරය සකස් කළේය. ඇය දිගටම යන්න ගියා
ආරම්භයේ සිටම ඇගේ පහරවල්, ඩ්රොප් ෂොට් එක ඵලදායී ලෙස යොදා ගැනීමට අමතරව, ඇගේ ප්රතිවාදියාගෙන් නැවත නැවතත් වැරදි සිදු වූ අතර, පළමු වටය 7-6ක් ලෙස අවසන් කර, ඉදිරියෙන් තල්ලු වීමට ඇගේ වාසිය පවත්වා ගෙන ගියේය.
දෙවන වටයේ දේවල් වඩාත් තරඟකාරී වූ අතර, දිනෙත්යාගේ අත්දැකීම් ක්රියාත්මක වූයේ, ඇය ජනාලි අභිබවා ගොස් 6-1ක් ලෙස මුල් වටයට එරෙහිව ජයග්රහණය කළ අතර, දෙවන කට්ටලය ආරම්භයේදීම ඇයව කරත්තය පුරා ගෙන යන විට ඇගේ කලකිරීම පෙන්නුම් කිරීමට පටන් ගත්තේය. .
ජනාලි විශිෂ්ට සටනක් කළ නමුත් දිනෙත්යාගේ මාරාන්තික පහරවල් සමඟ සම කිරීමට නොහැකි වූයේ බොහෝ විට පාලනය කර ගනිමින්.
තරගය පුරා දිනෙත්යාට වාසිය ලබා දීමට ජනාලි විවිධ වැරදි සිදු කළ නමුත් දීප්තිය පෙන්නුම් කළ අතර, දේවල් පාලනය කර ගැනීමට ජනාලි ඇගේ උපරිමය ලබා දුන් නමුත් තරුණ දිනෙත්ය සෑම විටම පියවරක් ඉදිරියෙන් සිටියේය.
ජනාලි ප්රමාද වී සටනක් කිරීමට බලා සිටියද, ඇය සටනට බැස ගිය නිසා මුල් හානිය ඇයට දරාගත නොහැකි විය.
දිනෙත්යා දේශීය ටෙනිස් පිටියේ පළමු ප්රධාන ශූරතාව ද මෙම ජයග්රහණයෙන් දුටුවේය. ශ්රී ලංකා ටෙනිස් ක්රීඩාවේ අනාගතය සඳහා දීප්තිමත්ම අපේක්ෂාවන්ගෙන් එකක් වන දිනෙත්ය ධර්මරත්න අනාගතයේ ශ්රී ලංකා ටෙනිස් පන්දු දරන්නා වනු නොඅනුමානය.
அப்னா, தினேத்யா ஆண்கள் மற்றும் பெண்கள் பிரிவில் சாம்பியன் பட்டம் வென்றனர்
இலங்கை டென்னிஸ் சங்கம் ஹார்ட் கோர்ட்ஸ் தேசிய 2023
SLTA ஹார்ட் கோர்ட்ஸ் நேஷனல் 2023 இல் உயர் மின்னழுத்த இறுதிப் போட்டிகளுக்குப் பிறகு, ஆனந்தா கல்லூரியின் அப்னா பெரேரா மற்றும் விசாகா வித்தியாலயத்தைச் சேர்ந்த தினேத்யா தர்மரத்னே ஆகியோர் ஆண்கள் மற்றும் பெண்கள் பட்டங்களை வென்றனர்.
ஆடவர் பிரிவில், அப்னா பெரேரா முதல் நிலை வீரரான கிரண் விரவநாதனை எதிர்கொண்டார், அங்கு அவர் தனது எதிராளியை பரபரப்பான மூன்று-செட்டர்களில் (6/3, 7/6, 6/4) துடைத்து ஆடவர் பட்டத்தை வென்றார்.
தினேத்திய தர்மரத்னே, பெண்களுக்கான ஆட்டத்தில் முதலிடம் பெற்ற ஜனலி மனம்பேரியை (7-6, 6-1) விறுவிறுப்பான ஆட்டத்தில் வென்றார்.
இது தினேத்யாவிற்கும் ஜனாலிக்கும் இடையே ஒரு சூடான மோதலாக இருந்தது, அங்கு பிந்தையவர் ஆரம்ப பரிமாற்றங்களில் தனது எதிரியை விரக்தியடையச் செய்ததில் இருந்தே தொனியை அமைத்தார். அவள் தொடர்ந்து சென்றாள்
ஆரம்பத்திலிருந்தே அவரது ஷாட்கள், டிராப் ஷாட்டை திறம்பட பயன்படுத்தியதுடன், இது அவரது எதிராளியிடமிருந்து மீண்டும் மீண்டும் பிழைகளை ஈர்த்தது, முதல் செட்டை 7-6 என்ற கணக்கில் முடித்து, தனது சாதகத்தை முன்னிலையில் தள்ளியது.
இரண்டாவது செட்டில் விஷயங்கள் மிகவும் போட்டித்தன்மையுடன் இருந்தன, மேலும் அவர் ஜானலியை 6-1 என்ற கணக்கில் முதலிடத்திற்கு எதிராக வென்றதால் தினேத்யாவின் அனுபவம் செயல்பட்டது, இரண்டாவது செட்டின் ஆரம்பத்தில் அவரது விரக்தி வெளிப்படத் தொடங்கியது. .
ஜனாலி ஒரு சிறந்த சண்டையை நடத்தினார், ஆனால் தினேத்யாவின் கொடிய தாக்குதலுக்கு ஈடுகொடுக்க முடியவில்லை, பெரும்பாலான நேரங்களில் கட்டுப்பாட்டை எடுத்துக்கொண்டார்.
போட்டி முழுவதும் தினேத்யாவுக்கு சாதகமாக கைகொடுக்க ஜனாலி பல தவறுகளைச் செய்தார், ஆனால் புத்திசாலித்தனத்தை வெளிப்படுத்தினார், விஷயங்களைக் கட்டுக்குள் கொண்டு வர ஜனாலி தனது நிலையைச் சிறப்பாகக் கொடுத்தார், ஆனால் இளம் தினேத்யா எல்லா நேரத்திலும் ஒரு படி மேலே இருந்தார்.
தாமதமாக சண்டை போட ஜனலி தோற்றமளித்தாலும், சண்டையில் இறங்கியதால் ஆரம்பகால சேதம் அவளால் சமாளிக்க முடியாத அளவுக்கு அதிகமாக இருந்தது.
இந்த வெற்றியானது உள்ளூர் டென்னிஸ் அரங்கில் தினேத்யாவின் முதல் மேஜர் பட்டத்தையும் கண்டது. இலங்கை டென்னிஸின் எதிர்காலத்திற்கான பிரகாசமான வாய்ப்புகளில் ஒருவரான தினேத்ய தர்மரத்னே, எதிர்காலத்தில் இலங்கை டென்னிஸின் ஜோதியாக இருப்பார் என்பதில் சந்தேகமில்லை.
Football
Sri Lanka U20 Women’s Football Hits Rock Bottom at SAFF Championship Amid Continued National-Level Crisis
The Sri Lanka U20 Women’s Team endured a disappointing campaign at the SAFF U20 Women’s Championship 2025, suffering two heavy defeats with one group match left to play. In their opening encounter, Sri Lanka was thrashed 9 -1 by Bangladesh, followed by a 5-0 loss against Bhutan, indicating a deeper crisis in the country’s women’s football structure.


These back-to-back losses highlight the grim state of the women’s football program, especially when placed alongside the senior team’s exit from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers earlier this year without a single win. This trend reflects not just a lack of preparation, but an institutional failure to establish a developmental pipeline or strategic plan.

What’s even more concerning is the absence of visible recovery mechanisms from the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL). Instead of addressing systemic issues—such as lack of coaching standards, insufficient grassroots investment, and poor player welfare—key decision-makers appear more focused on the upcoming FFSL elections. Behind-the-scenes politics continue to stall any meaningful progress in women’s football development.

Despite the promising young talent in Sri Lanka, the gap in fitness, tactical training, and match readiness compared to regional rivals is growing wider. Without immediate technical reforms and leadership that prioritizes performance over politics, the future of women’s football in the country remains uncertain.
With one more match against a strong Nepal side, the prospects of a comeback look bleak, unless there is a radical shift in how the game is managed from the ground up.
News
South Asian Karate Championship 2025: India and Sri Lanka Shine as Karate Celebrates 50 Years in Sri Lanka
Colombo, July 5–6, 2025 – The 9th South Asian Karate Championship and the 1st South Asian Youth Karate Championship successfully concluded at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, marking a landmark moment in Sri Lanka’s martial arts history as the nation celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Karate Federation.
This prestigious two-day event was jointly organized by the South Asian Karate Federation and the Sri Lanka Karate Federation, which is registered under the Ministry of Sports as one of the seven official sports federations in the country.
Day 1 (July 5) – Youth Championship Dominated by India and Sri Lanka
The opening day featured intense youth-level competition with over 700 athletes from seven South Asian nations – Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives – competing in age categories below 14.
🥇 Youth Medal Standings (U-14 Category):
- India – 22 Medals (1st Place)
- Nepal – 20 Medals (2nd Place)
- Sri Lanka – 10 Medals (3rd Place)
📺 Watch Day 1 Highlights:
Final Day (July 6) – Sri Lanka Takes Youth Title, India Clinches Senior Crown
The second day of the tournament featured both senior and youth finals. In a historic achievement, Sri Lanka emerged champions in the Youth Division, while India secured the Senior Team Championship, continuing their regional dominance.
Final Team Standings:
- Senior Category:
- 🥇 India (Champions)
- 🥈 Nepal (Runners-up)
- 🥉 Sri Lanka (Third Place)
- Youth Category:
- 🥇 Sri Lanka (Champions)
- 🥈 India (Runners-up)
- 🥉 Nepal (Third Place)
Watch Final Day Highlights:
Special Guests & Recognition
The event was graced by His Excellency Akio Isomata, the Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, who attended as the Chief Guest, acknowledging Sri Lanka’s long-standing contribution to the growth of karate in South Asia.
Also present was Bharat Sharma, President of the South Asian Karate Federation, who praised the standard of competition and Sri Lanka’s organizing excellence.
Karate in Sri Lanka – 50 Years of Legacy
This championship coincided with the 50th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Karate Federation, which has played a vital role in shaping karate talent nationally and internationally. With continued support from the Ministry of Sports, karate remains one of Sri Lanka’s fastest-growing combat sports.
Football
Sri Lanka Women Finish Qualifiers with 0 Goals, 20 Conceded – Who Will Take Responsibility?
Colombo, July 3 – Sri Lanka Women’s National Football Team wrapped up their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign with a third straight defeat — a 2-0 loss to Laos — confirming their position at the bottom of Group F, with 0 wins, 0 goals scored, and 18 conceded in just three games.
But beyond the scorelines lies a far more serious issue: a complete collapse of women’s football development in Sri Lanka. And this time, the blame does not lie on one individual — but on a system that has failed the sport, from top to bottom.

Match-by-Match Recap
Match 1: Sri Lanka 0 – 10 Uzbekistan
- Possession: 30%
- Shots on Target: 0
- xG: 0.0 vs Uzbekistan’s 3.60
- A game that exposed a lack of preparation, structure, and fitness from the very start.
Match 2: Sri Lanka 0 – 8 Nepal
- Possession: 50%
- Defensive errors gifted goals, including a hat-trick by Sabitra Bhandari.
- xG: Nepal 3.76 vs Sri Lanka 0.60
- Tactical breakdown: Midfield collapsed under pressure, backline failed to close space.
Match 3: Sri Lanka 0 – 2 Laos
- Possession: 50%
- Shots on Target: 5
- xG: 2.56 (Laos) vs 1.08 (Sri Lanka)
- A more balanced performance, but defensive lapses in the 73rd and 90+2 minutes led to defeat. Sri Lanka couldn’t convert chances despite their best game statistically.
Final Group Standings – Group F
Team | MP | GF | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
🇳🇵 Nepal | 2 | 17 | 0 | +17 | 6 |
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | 2 | 17 | 0 | +17 | 6 |
🇱🇦 Laos | 2 | 2 | 16 | -14 | 0 |
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | 3 | 0 | 20 | -20 | 0 |
Tactical Issues Across All Matches
- No clear formation or transition play.
- Lack of defensive coordination — players failed to track runners, especially on the flanks.
- No attacking identity — only 1.08 xG across three games.
- In-game management absent — few substitutions or tactical shifts despite being outplayed.
While public criticism often targets the President of the Football Federation, this decline in women’s football runs deeper:
Who Is Accountable? Not Just the President
Women’s Football Committee:
- Failed to organize any domestic tournament in recent years.
- Selected the squad via open trials, with no league performance data to back selections.
- No consistent training camps or fitness programs.
Executive Committee:
- Remains silent on the recurring failures.
- No inquiries, reviews, or structural reforms have followed Sri Lanka’s repeated humiliations — including the U20 Women’s SAFF defeat earlier this year.
Technical & Development Staff:
- No tactical framework or youth development.
- No modern coaching methods or international exposure for players.
The Bigger Problem: Silence and Stagnation
Sri Lanka is not just losing matches — it’s losing direction. The current state of women’s football is not the result of one bad campaign. It’s the product of years of neglect, political appointments, and a failure to treat women’s football with equal priority.
Even now, there is no explanation from the Executive Committee on how the women’s team was prepared or what plans exist for recovery.
Time for a Reset, Not Excuses
If Sri Lanka is serious about competing in international football, the following must be addressed:
- ✅ A national women’s league
- ✅ Provincial and school-level competitions
- ✅ Professional coaching staff and structured fitness programs
- ✅ Regular international friendlies and camps
- ✅ Transparent selection processes based on performance, not politics
🔚 Conclusion
Sri Lanka’s 2026 AFC campaign should not just be remembered for the scorelines — but as a call for change. It is time for every stakeholder — from the Women’s Committee to the Executive — to reflect, respond, and rebuild.
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