News
Biked up for Ride4Ceylon 2024
M.H.Yakeem
A frenzy of activity is gripping the Ride4Ceylon organizers, as they make preparations for their charity bike ride in 2024.
Scheduled for 28 Feb – 2 Mar, the ride is once again expected to attract global interest.
Cyclists from around the world descend upon our charming land, to embark on this 500km trek.
An illustration of the ride’s far-flung appeal can be highlighted by British cyclist Chris Williams’s trek from Milan to the Italian Dolomites. Rising to over 3000m and situated in the northern Italian Alps, Chris’ challenge required Herculean strength endurance. With grit and determination, Chris achieved this mammoth task.
The 2024 ride will commence in Kandy, traversing north through Mahiyanganaya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, and Vavuniya before reaching Green Memorial Hospital in Jaffna.
Launched to renovate this dilapidated hospital, the funds raised from the charity ride have been plowed into this mission. And blossoming signs are evident, with Green Memorial Hospital offering and expanding its medical services.
Support for the grueling ride will come from the Sri Lankan police, who provide security for the participants, Sri Lankan Tourism, and the destination management company House of Travels (H.O.T.).
Notwithstanding the amazing care and effort provided by the riders, organizers, sponsors, and donors to improve the medical facility at the hospital, the ride also offers a glimpse into the charisma and beauty of our nation. Thereby, enticing and inspiring the tourism sector.
Although primarily established to regenerate the GMH, the benefits from the charity ride have truly been nationwide. Which is the ultimate aim of the project – to improve the medical facilities for all those living in Sri Lanka. A worthy cause indeed.
For more information or if you’d like to support the charity, please see www.Ride4Ceylon.com
Caption
Left – Ride4Ceylon 2023 ride
Right – British Cyclist Chris Williams who rode from Milan to the Italian Dolomites.

News
Sri Lanka Dominates Saudi Arabia in Junior Davis Cup Qualifying!
In the ongoing Junior Davis Cup Tennis Qualifying Tournament currently being held in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka had a great weekend by defeating Saudi Arabia 3-0.
The team showed their dominance by winning both singles matches and then winning both doubles matches with comfortable margins.
Sri Lanka won the first singles match when Ashlin de Silva beat Mahdi Al Ibrahim 6-2, 7-5.
In the second singles match, Mayuran Kubern came back after losing the first set to defeat Ahmed Baha Sarouji 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Sri Lanka then continued their momentum into the doubles matches where Mayuran Kubern and Ashlin de Silva defeated the Saudi pair 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
In the other doubles match, the Sri Lankan duo was ahead in the second set 4-6 when the Saudi pair of Mahdi Al Ibrahim and Souhail ElFarouki retired from the match.
With this comprehensive win, Sri Lanka is now in a very strong position within the tournament.
The team will have a day off on Monday and is scheduled to play in the Championship on Thursday.
Cricket
Nuwan Thushara Set to Miss IPL 2026 After SLC NOC Refusal
Nuwan Thushara is set to miss the upcoming IPL 2026 season in a significant setback for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) declined to issue him a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The decision comes following SLC’s latest policy requiring all centrally contracted players to meet strict fitness standards before being cleared for overseas franchise leagues. Thushara reportedly failed to reach the required fitness benchmarks, leading to uncertainty over his participation and eventual exclusion.
RCB had secured the services of the Sri Lankan pacer for approximately INR 1.6 crore, viewing him as a valuable addition to their pace attack. However, his absence could now force the franchise to rethink their squad composition ahead of the tournament.
Interestingly, reports indicate that Thushara is not carrying any injury and remains available to bowl. Despite this, concerns over his overall fitness levels falling short of SLC’s criteria have ultimately ruled him out of the competition.
During his stint with RCB, Thushara featured in just one match, largely serving as a backup option. He made a notable impact in that appearance, returning figures of 1 for 26 with an impressive economy rate of 6.50, showcasing his potential when called upon.
Cricket
Sri Lanka Set for December White-Ball Tour of India
Sri Lanka will tour India in December 2026 for an exciting white-ball series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. The tour promises competitive cricket action across multiple iconic venues, giving fans across the country a chance to witness the matches live.
The ODI series will begin on December 13 in Delhi, followed by the second match in Bengaluru on December 16. The third and final ODI will be played in Ahmedabad on December 19.
The T20I series will kick off on December 22 in Rajkot. The action will then move to Cuttack for the second T20I on December 24, before concluding in Pune on December 27.
ODI Series
• 13 Dec – 1st ODI – Delhi
• 16 Dec – 2nd ODI – Bengaluru
• 19 Dec – 3rd ODI – Ahmedabad
T20I Series
• 22 Dec – 1st T20I – Rajkot
• 24 Dec – 2nd T20I – Cuttack
• 27 Dec – 3rd T20I – Pune
-
Football1 year agoSri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025: Super 8 Fixtures and Grouping
-
News1 year ago2025 Schools Rugby Season Set to Thrill Fans with Knockout and League Action
-
Cricket10 months agoNuwan Thushara Shines as RCB Storms into IPL 2025 Final
-
Live4 years agoLive Broadcast of Syria vs Sri Lanka | AFC U23 Asian Championship Qualification
-
Cricket1 year agoSri Lanka’s Greatest Cricketers: Top Batters and Bowlers of All Time
-
News10 months agoMajor Shake-Up in Sports Governance: New 2025 Regulations Reform National Sports Bodies in Sri Lanka
-
Football1 year agoFFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision
-
Football11 months agoSri Lanka Announces U19 Football Squad for SAFF Championship 2025

