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
Trinity College Storms to Victory Over Thurstan in Dialog Schools Rugby League Week 3
Colombo, June 19 – Trinity College, Kandy delivered a commanding performance to defeat Thurstan College, Colombo by 48-19 in a high-energy Week 3 clash of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024, played at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Trinity dominated throughout the match, crossing the try line eight times and securing four conversions. Their relentless attack and solid defensive play left little room for Thurstan to recover.
🏆 Match Summary – Trinity 48 (8T, 4C) vs Thurstan 19 (3T, 2C)
- Trinity College Scorers:
🔹 8 Tries
🔹 4 Conversions - Thurstan College Scorers:
🔹 3 Tries
🔹 2 Conversions
The game showcased Trinity’s physical strength, quick ball movement, and tactical excellence. Even as Thurstan fought back with three well-earned tries, the gap was too wide to close.
News
Royal College Stays Undefeated with Convincing Win Over St. Joseph’s in Dialog Schools Rugby League Week 3
Colombo, June 19 – Royal College, Colombo extended their unbeaten run in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024, defeating St. Joseph’s College, Maradana by 33-14 in a thrilling Week 3 encounter held at the Royal College Sports Complex.
Royal dominated both halves of the game, entering halftime with a 19-7 lead and continuing their momentum in the second half to seal a well-earned victory.
🏆 Match Summary – Royal 33 (5T, 4C) vs St. Joseph’s 14 (2T, 2C)
- Royal College Scorers:
🔹 5 Tries
🔹 4 Conversions - St. Joseph’s Scorers:
🔹 2 Tries
🔹 2 Conversions
The Royalists maintained control throughout the game with solid offensive and defensive phases, capitalizing on their physical dominance and tactical superiority. The win cements their position as one of the favourites in this year’s league, showcasing a balanced squad with depth and experience.
Matchday Atmosphere
A packed crowd at the Royal Sports Complex witnessed high-intensity school rugby action with passionate support for both sides. The game lived up to its billing with fast-paced attacking plays and fierce defensive stands.
Football
Mohamed Sahi Transfer Dispute Deepens: Two Clubs, Two Contracts – One Confusing Reality
Fresh details reveal dual agreements, silent acceptance, and a looming registration problem ahead of the Champions League
Colombo – June 17, 2025:
The player registration controversy surrounding Mohamed Sahi has intensified, as newly uncovered information confirms the existence of two separate agreements signed by the player — one with New Star SC and another with Crystal Palace FC Gampola, both for the 2025/26 season.
The Timeline of Conflict
- On January 15, 2025, Mohamed Sahi received a release from his former club Eravur YSS, stating that he would be joining Crystal Palace FC.
- This release letter was shared via WhatsApp with Crystal Palace, but the original document was handed over to New Star SC, who then registered the player for the 2025/26 season based on a contract signed on January 16 for LKR 85,000.
- Later in February, Sahi went on to sign another contract — this time with Crystal Palace FC, reportedly for LKR 215,000, including two advance payments: LKR 35,000 and LKR 45,000 to his father’s account.
This sequence raises serious concerns about whether the player fully understood his obligations or whether both clubs failed to clarify the status of the original registration.
Crystal Palace Questions: Silence from New Star
Despite publicly announcing the signing of Mohamed Sahi on social media in February, New Star SC remained silent. No objections were raised until the issue surfaced during I League scrutiny.
This inaction has sparked public questions:
- Why didn’t New Star respond immediately if the player was already under contract with them?
- Was there an oversight, or did they expect the issue to resolve quietly?
I League vs Champions League Impact
While the situation has had no direct impact on the I League, given that New Star SC registered the player first and the I League is an invitational tournament not governed by the FFSL, Sahi only featured under New Star during the competition. However, the matter gains greater significance in the lead-up to the Sri Lanka Champions League, where both New Star SC and Crystal Palace FC are reported to have submitted player registrations for Mohamed Sahi, potentially triggering a registration conflict.
This raises the risk of:
- Duplicate entries under the same player ID
- Last-minute disqualifications or disputes
- Administrative confusion for tournament organizers
A Potential Settlement?
In an attempt to ease tensions, sources close to New Star SC have confirmed that Mohamed Sahi is willing to return the advance payment made by Crystal Palace FC to resolve the financial element of the issue amicably.
Final Word
While this incident is unlikely to influence the I League outcome, it exposes a flaw in inter-club communication and registration coordination. With the Champions League approaching, resolving these overlaps is essential to avoid technical complications or eligibility issues.
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