News
Dhananjaya de Silva replaces Dimuth Karunaratne as Sri Lanka’s new Test captain
Following a horrible end to 2023, Sri Lanka has made some wholesale changes to their teams the most recent one being Dhananjaya de Silva replacing Dimuth Karunaratne as their test captain.
De Silva will be the 18th player to lead the Island Nation in Tests.
De Silva’s first assignment will be the one-off Test against Afghanistan, starting February 6.
The 32-year-old has been a regular member of the test squad. In his 51 Tests, he has scored 3301 runs at an average of under 40. He has ten centuries and 13 half-centuries under his belt.
Dimuth Karunaratne took to social media to confirm that he has been replaced by Dhananjaya de Silva as Sri Lanka’s Test captain.
Karunaratne won 12 of his 30 Tests in charge after being appointed in place of Dinesh Chandimal in 2019.
“Cricket fans world over, as I finally hand over the reins of the SL Test captaincy after a decent and memorable stint, who better other than to you Dhananjaya De Silva, an excellent all round athlete in my books,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Dhana, I’ve watched you grow and develop into a very matured and fantastic cricketer over the years… Smart, ice cool and a very shrewd cricket brain, I may add more so your own style you adapt and also that very famous smile you always wear every time on and off the field.
“I am very confident SL Test cricket is in very safe hands and will be going forward through your tenure as skipper.”
He added: “I’ll be there to support you on and off the field rest assured.”
Earlier Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) named two separate captains in the white-ball formats, with batter Kusal Mendis to lead the ODI team and all rounder Wanindu Hasaranga named the T20I captain.
“I would have preferred to have the same captain for all three formats,” said chief selector Upul Tharanga, “but we are unable to do that at the moment with the players we have.”
The Chief Selector also expressed displeasure at the pitches provided at the ongoing SLC Major League Limited Over Tournament.
Addressing a media briefing in Colombo on 5th January, Upul Tharanga said:
“We are unhappy with the wickets provided for club cricket. When we spoke with the players’ they too expressed displeasure about the pitches. Players want good wickets in order to continue their fine momentum. They complain about the pitches here saying the pitches on the international stage are totally different when compared to the wickets given in Club Cricket.”
“We discussed this issue with Sri Lanka Cricket as well, and they got a plan to include pitch curators from the next season to monitor the wickets. So, I believe at least from the next season we will get good wickets,” Upul went to say.
Tharanga also speaked about their preparation for the T20 World cup in USA/West Indies scheduled to take centre stage in June/July.
“We need to make short-term plans for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA next June, and a long-term plan for the 2027 ODI World Cup. We aim to make selections aligned with these well-thought-out plans,”
“we noted that our team players are not displaying consistent performance, despite their talent. We held discussions with the them before the selections, in idea of guiding them smoothly forward,”
Football
CBL Samaposha Continues to Empower Sri Lanka’s Young Footballers for the 14th Consecutive Year
In a remarkable display of commitment to grassroots sports development, CBL Samaposha continues its proud legacy of empowering the U14 Inter-School National Football Championship for the 14th consecutive year, reaffirming its role as one of Sri Lanka’s most consistent supporters of school-level football.
Organized by the Schools Football Association of Sri Lanka (SSFA), this year’s championship will take place across 32 regional grounds islandwide, drawing participation from over 12,000 young players representing 510 boys’ teams and 110 girls’ teams.

Provincial champions will advance to the final rounds in Galle, with matches scheduled at the Dadella Football Complex, B.T.S. School Grounds, and Galle Municipal Grounds. The grand final will be played at the Colombo Racecourse Grounds on December 13, where the nation’s most talented young players will compete for top honors.
CBL Foods’ Chief Executive Officer Mr. Manjula Dahanayake emphasized the company’s deep-rooted commitment to nurturing youth potential, saying:
“Our vision is to inspire young Sri Lankans to pursue their dreams through sport, discipline, and teamwork. Supporting this tournament helps build the next generation of leaders both on and off the field.”
SSFA CEO Mr. Iraj Wimalasuriya expressed appreciation for Samaposha’s continued partnership, stating:
“CBL Samaposha has been a true ally in our mission to strengthen school football. Their long-term commitment ensures that children from all parts of the island get an equal opportunity to play, compete, and grow.”
Adding further, Lt. Col. G.G. Anura Apevikrama, Director of Physical Education and Sports at the Ministry of Education, noted that this championship is often the first competitive experience for many budding footballers — a crucial step in building Sri Lanka’s sporting future.
As a proudly homegrown brand under CBL Plenty Foods (Pvt) Ltd, Samaposha continues to fuel the nation’s youth — both nutritionally and inspirationally — reinforcing the value of sportsmanship and unity through football.
🏆 About the Championship
- Organizer: Schools Football Association of Sri Lanka (SSFA)
- Sponsor: CBL Samaposha
- Players: Over 12,000 (Boys & Girls)
- Venues: 32 regional grounds, finals in Galle & Colombo
- Finals Date: December 13, 2025
News
Lifebouy Ball Blaster 2025 – Group B Wide Open as Royal, Aligar & Kalutara Battle for Top Spot
The race for qualification in Group B of the Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 2025 Schools Football Tournament is heating up, with three top schools still in contention for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Royal College Leads the Pack
Royal College, Colombo currently sits on top of Group B after an impressive 5-0 victory, showcasing both dominance and attacking flair. With two crucial matches left, Royal remains the favorite to finish as group leaders — but the battle is far from over.
Aligar Central’s Mixed Fortunes
Aligar Central College, last year’s runners-up and inaugural Ball Blaster champions, have had a mixed campaign so far. After one win and one narrow loss — the latter coming from an unfortunate own goal — the team still remains firmly in the race for qualification.
Kalutara Muslim Still in the Hunt
Kalutara Muslim Central College, one of the most competitive sides in this year’s tournament, has only played one game so far — securing a 1-0 win. With two matches still to play, they remain a real threat to the current table leaders.
Maris Stella Struggling for Form
Maris Stella College, on the other hand, has had a tough run, losing both their opening fixtures and conceding nine goals in the process. They will now look to finish strong and disrupt the group standings in the remaining matches.
With the Group B stage still wide open, the coming matchdays promise thrilling encounters as Royal, Aligar, and Kalutara fight for the top two quarterfinal spots in the Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 2025.
Football
Zahira College Colombo Dominate Group A — Gampola Zahira and Darussalam Battle for Second Spot
The Group A stage of the Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 2025 Schools Football Championship is heating up, with Zahira College Colombo emerging as the clear frontrunner after an unbeaten run in their first two matches. With six points and an impressive 8–2 goal difference, Zahira are well on course to top the group and secure a direct berth to the quarterfinals.
Zahira’s attacking flair and tactical balance have made them one of the most complete teams in this year’s tournament. Their consistent performances have set the tone in Group A, making them strong contenders for the overall title.
Behind them, the battle for the second qualifying spot is intensifying between Darussalam College and Gampola Zahira College. Both teams currently sit on three points each, but Darussalam have played one match more, leaving Gampola Zahira with a crucial game in hand.
Kingswood College, despite showing moments of promise, have struggled to convert opportunities into results and remain winless after three outings.
With two group matches remaining, the race for quarterfinal qualification is expected to go down to the wire. Zahira Colombo, the current Group A leader, will likely face Vaddakkachchi Central College (D2) from Group D in the knockout stage, while the second-placed team will meet Hameed Al Husseinie College (D1) — setting up thrilling contests ahead.
School | M | W | L | D | GS | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zahira College, Colombo | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 6 |
Gampola Zahira College | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
Darussalam College | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 |
Kingswood College | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 13 | -8 | 0 |



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