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Dimuth Karunaratne took to social media to confirm that he has been replaced by Dhananjaya de Silva as Sri Lanka’s Test captain.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
Quarter Finals Set for Lifebuoy Bodywash Ball Blaster 2025 – Four Epic Battles Await!
After weeks of intense group-stage action across the island, the Lifebuoy Bodywash Ball Blaster 2025 – 1st XI School Football Challenge Trophy now heads into its Quarter Final stage with eight of the country’s top school football teams set to battle for a place in the semi-finals.
The group phase produced thrilling matches, dramatic finishes, and moments of pure school football passion, and now the competition reaches its knockout phase where every goal — and every mistake — will count.
🏆 Quarter Final Line-Up
Quarter Final 1
Zahira College, Colombo 🆚 Vaddakkachchi Central College
📅 5th November | ⏰ 8.30 AM | 📍 City League Grounds
Zahira College, one of the tournament favorites, will look to continue their dominant form against the spirited Vaddakkachchi Central College, who impressed in their provincial campaign to earn a historic spot in the final eight.
Quarter Final 2
Kalutara Muslim Central College 🆚 Gateway College
📅 5th November | ⏰ 11.00 AM | 📍 City League Grounds
Unbeaten so far, Kalutara Muslim Central College will face the technically disciplined Gateway College in a tactical showdown that promises end-to-end action.
Quarter Final 3
St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 🆚 Royal College, Colombo
📅 5th November | ⏰ 1.30 PM | 📍 City League Grounds
A Colombo classic awaits as Royal College step into the quarter finals following a protest decision that eliminated Aligar Central College. St. Joseph’s, Group C leaders, will aim to maintain their strong run in what is expected to be a fierce and emotional derby encounter.
Quarter Final 4
Hameed Al Husseini College 🆚 Darussalaam College
📅 5th November | ⏰ 4.00 PM | 📍 City League Grounds
Two of the most passionate teams in the competition collide in the day’s final fixture. Expect a physical, high-tempo contest as both sides chase their dream of a semi-final berth.
🎥 LIVE COVERAGE
All four matches will be broadcast live on Sri Lankan Sports TV, giving fans across the nation a front-row seat to witness the best of Sri Lankan school football.
The Lifebouy Ball Blaster 2025 continues to deliver on its promise of promoting youth football, sportsmanship, and school pride, powered by Lifebuoy Bodywash — encouraging young athletes to play clean, play strong, and play fair.
Football
Lifebuoy Bodywash Ball Blaster 2025: Quarter-Final Lineup Shapes Up with Thrilling Group Stage Battles
The Lifebuoy Bodywash Ball Blaster 2025 has reached the most exciting stage yet as teams battle for quarter-final glory.
In Group B, Kalutara Central College has stamped their authority with 2 wins from 2 matches, boasting a flawless defense and an impressive +2 goal difference. The battle for the second spot is wide open between Royal College and Alighar Central College, both on 3 points and looking to secure their place in the knockout rounds. Maris Stella College has unfortunately bowed out after a tough group stage.
Meanwhile, Group C promises drama in the final match between St. Patrick’s College and St. Joseph’s College. A win for Joseph will see them top the group, while Patrick could sneak into the quarter-finals with a narrow 1-0 victory. A draw would favor Joseph’s qualification on goal difference.
The quarter-finals, scheduled for 5th November at City League, will feature the following fixtures:
- Q1: Zahira College, Colombo 🆚 Vaddakachchi Central College – 8:30 AM
- Q2: Kalutara Central College 🆚 St. Joseph’s College / St. Patrick’s College – 11:00 AM
- Q3: Gateway College/ St. Joseph’s College 🆚 Royal / Alighar – 1:30 PM
- Q4: Hameed Al Husseinie College 🆚 Darussalaam College – 4:00 PM
Fans can expect high-octane football and edge-of-the-seat action as Sri Lanka’s brightest school football talents compete for the prestigious Lifebuoy Bodywash Ball Blaster Trophy 2025. Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for live coverage, match updates, and exclusive interviews.
Football
Group C Still Up for Grabs as Four Teams Eye Quarterfinal Spots in Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 2025!
The Lifebuoy Bodywash Ball Blaster 2025 Schools Football Championship Group C stage remains finely poised — with all four schools still in contention to reach the quarterfinals. With Gateway College having completed all their matches, the final fixtures will decide the fate of St. Benedict’s, St. Patrick’s, and St. Joseph’s Colleges.
Current Standings:
| School | M | W | L | D | GS | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway College | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 5 |
| St. Benedict’s College | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 |
| St. Patrick’s College | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 1 |
| St. Joseph’s College | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
Gateway College – Top for Now 🟢
Gateway College leads with 5 points after finishing all their group-stage matches. Their unbeaten record gives them a strong edge, but their qualification still depends on the final two matchdays. They’ll be watching closely as St. Benedict’s and St. Patrick’s fight for crucial wins.
St. Benedict’s College – Advantage in Hand ⚪
With 4 points from 2 games, St. Benedict’s College holds the upper hand. A victory in their next match will guarantee a quarterfinal spot, potentially as Group winners. A draw could still be enough, but a defeat would leave them vulnerable to a late surge from the other two schools.
St. Patrick’s College – Still in the Race 🟡
With 1 point from 2 games, St. Patrick’s still has a chance to qualify — but only if they win the remaining match. They’ll also need to improve their goal difference, currently at -1, to stay competitive in case of a tie on points.
St. Joseph’s College – A Must-Win Situation 🔵
After losing their opening game, St. Joseph’s College faces a do-or-die scenario. With two matches left, the Josephians must win both — and by convincing margins — to stay in contention for a top-two finish. Anything less will end their campaign.
Qualification Scenarios:
- 🏆 If St. Benedict’s wins next match: Gateway and Benedict’s advance.
- 🤝 If St. Benedict’s draws next match: Gateway likely through; second spot open between Benedict’s and Patrick’s.
- ❌ If St. Benedict’s loses: St. Patrick’s or St. Joseph’s could qualify by winning their remaining games.
The Group C showdown promises edge-of-the-seat drama as school football’s finest battle for survival in the Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 2025. Every point counts — and one mistake could end a dream run.
Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for live coverage, photos, and exclusive post-match reactions from the players and coaches.
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