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Chamari Athapaththu signs as Sydney Thunder’s replacement overseas player

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Chamari Athapaththu signs as Sydney Thunder’s replacement overseas player, completing the squad ahead of the club’s start at North Sydney Oval on October 22. The number one Sri Lankan batting all-rounder is the country’s top performer in T20 cricket. Scoring most of her international runs away from home in Australia, the star is excited to get on the ground with her new side:

“I’m so excited to be joining the Thunder Nation. It’s an amazing club and to have our home games across Cricket Central and North Sydney Oval is really special. “Australia is where I’ve scored most of my international T20 runs away from home, including a century at NSO.

“I appreciate all of the support so far and look forward to being in front of the fans, I plan to bring a Thunder-storm to the WBBL this summer.”

Athapaththu first joined the WBBL in 2017 with Melbourne Renegades before switching allegiance in 2021 to Perth Scorchers.

She now joins Thunder sitting 7th and 8th in the ICC World Rankings batting and all-rounder categories respectively, the highest of any other Sri Lankan international. Athapaththu, who has been a part of her national side since 2009, is known for her incredibly aggressive batting style. She adds further depth to Thunder’s line up as well as a wealth of knowledge from her 14 years on the international stage.

WBBL teams are able to sign a number of additional overseas players, with three allowed to be part of any match-day Xl. England captain Heather Knight has been confirmed as Thunder’s captain for the summer, while superstar South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and rising England fast bowler Lauren Bell round out Thunder overseas quartet.

Thunder start their campaign at North Sydney Oval against rivals Sixers on October 22

Football

Uzbekistan Dominate Sri Lanka 10-0 in AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers

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Colombo, June 29 – The Sri Lanka Women’s National Football Team suffered a crushing 10-0 defeat at the hands of Uzbekistan in their opening fixture of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, exposing not only the performance gap on the field but also the deep-rooted structural failures off it.

From kickoff, Uzbekistan showcased their superiority with relentless attacking football, scoring five goals in each half. The match statistics tell a story of complete dominance:

  • Shots on Target: 14 (Uzbekistan) vs 0 (Sri Lanka)
  • Possession: 70% (Uzbekistan) vs 30% (Sri Lanka)
  • Dangerous Attacks: 137 (Uzbekistan) vs 28 (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka managed only two shots in the entire match—none of which tested the opposition goalkeeper—while spending most of the game pinned back in defense.

However, beyond the scoreboard, this defeat highlights a more alarming truth: the lack of commitment to women’s football by local authorities. The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has failed to organize a single women’s tournament domestically in recent years, and the squad selected for this major continental qualifier was chosen solely through a limited trial. There was no competitive platform or league for players to develop or prove themselves ahead of international duty.

This performance is not just a reflection of the players’ inexperience—it’s a direct consequence of administrative negligence. FFSL must take full responsibility for this embarrassing result, as it continues to send underprepared teams to international tournaments merely to safeguard its position, rather than genuinely investing in the development of Sri Lankan football.

Even more concerning is the silence from the Ministry of Sports. Despite the humiliating performances of the Under-20 team in the recent SAFF Championship and now the senior women’s team in the AFC qualifiers, no action has been taken, and no accountability has been demanded. The ministry’s indifference to these repeated failures raises serious questions about its role in ensuring sports governance and development in Sri Lanka.

As Sri Lankan football continues to struggle, it is clear that without structural change, genuine investment, and accountability, results like these will only continue.

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Dialog Schools Rugby League Week 4: Powerhouses Dominate as Rivalries Intensify

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The fourth week of the 2025 Dialog Schools Rugby League brought high-octane action across Colombo and Kandy, as traditional rugby giants asserted dominance while title ambitions sharpened. Here’s a round-up of the top matches that defined the week:

Trinity Outmuscles St. Joseph’s at CR & FC

Trinity College, Kandy, continued their unbeaten streak with a commanding 29-07 win over St. Joseph’s College, Maradana at the CR & FC grounds in Colombo. Trinity crossed the whitewash five times with 5 tries and 2 conversions, displaying explosive forward play and well-structured phases.

St. Joseph’s struggled to match Trinity’s physicality but managed a consolation try and conversion. At halftime, Trinity led 22-0, setting the tone early and maintaining control throughout.

Wesley Tames St. Peter’s in Tight Clash

At Havelock Park, Wesley College recorded a gritty 23-05 victory over St. Peter’s College. The Wesleyites scored 3 tries, 1 conversion, and added 2 penalties, proving their clinical edge under pressure.

St. Peter’s could only respond with a single try and failed to find rhythm. Wesley led 8-0 at the break and controlled territory effectively in the second half.

Isipathana Outguns Zahira in a High-Scoring Thriller

In one of the most entertaining matches of the weekend, Isipathana College edged out Zahira College 38-27 at Zahira Grounds. Isipathana scored 6 tries and 4 conversions, showcasing pace and creativity in attack.

Zahira fought back gallantly with 4 tries, 2 conversions, and a penalty, pushing the defending champions to the limit. At halftime, Isipathana led 26-8, and though Zahira launched a strong second-half rally, the Green Machine held on.

Royal Routs Vidyartha in Dominant Display

Royal College, Colombo, was at their clinical best as they overcame Vidyartha College, Kandy, 29-07 at the Royal Complex. The home side dotted down 5 tries and 2 conversions, demonstrating power rugby and slick handling.

Vidyartha managed a single converted try but struggled to contain Royal’s powerful forwards and rolling mauls. Royal led 12-7 at halftime before pulling away in the second half.

Looking Ahead

With teams like Trinity, Isipathana, and Royal continuing to impress, the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 is shaping up for a thrilling finish. Fans can expect tighter games and fierce battles as title dreams grow stronger.

Stay tuned with Sri Lankan Sports TV for full match reports, results, and exclusive school rugby coverage!

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Athletics

Sri Lanka Shines at Thailand Open 2025 with 11-Medal Haul

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The Sri Lankan athletics team wrapped up a remarkable campaign at the Thailand Open Athletics Championship 2025, securing an impressive 11 medals, including 6 golds, during the competition held from June 21 to 25 in Bangkok.

The Sri Lankan squad, made up of eight athletes—four men and four women—delivered standout performances across track and field events, making the nation proud on the international stage.

Leading the charge was Rusiru Chathuranga, who clinched double gold in the Men’s 800m and 1500m events. Vicknaraj Vakshan added to the tally with a gold in the 5000m and a silver in the 1500m, while W.K.L.A. Nimali matched that feat by claiming gold in the Women’s 800m and silver in the 1500m.

Madushani Herath showed her dominance in the field events, capturing gold in both the long jump and triple jump. Ayomal Akalanka earned silver in the Men’s 400m hurdles, and Wathsala Hapuarachchi took silver in the Women’s 100m hurdles. Safreen Ahmed contributed a bronze medal in the Men’s triple jump.

While seven out of eight athletes reached the podium, Amasha de Silva narrowly missed out, finishing fourth in the Women’s 100m final, showcasing a commendable performance.

The full team is expected to return to Sri Lanka today after a tour that highlights the depth of talent in local athletics and signals strong potential ahead of upcoming regional events

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