The player draft for the upcoming season of the Lanka Premier League is expected to take place on 23 May, marking a key step in preparations for Sri Lanka’s flagship domestic T20 tournament.

Initially planned for March, the draft was postponed amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, prompting organisers to shift the timeline. Player registrations are now anticipated to begin shortly after the first week of May.

Despite the scheduling adjustment, organisers have reiterated that the tournament itself will go ahead as planned. The sixth edition of the LPL is scheduled to run from 8 July to 8 August 2026.

Excitement around the league remains strong, with notable international cricketers already signalling their interest in participating in the upcoming season.

Madhawa Bandara Senarath has stepped down from his role as Secretary of Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA), only about a month after assuming office. His resignation was submitted shortly before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, bringing an abrupt end to his brief tenure.

Sources indicate that internal disagreements within the newly appointed executive committee played a key role in his decision. The dispute is believed to have centered on the selection process for the National Junior Team set to compete at the upcoming Asian Junior Championship.

Sri Lanka Athletics is scheduled to hold its first executive committee meeting after the New Year on April 21. During this meeting, an acting secretary is expected to be appointed to temporarily fill the position. A permanent replacement will later be chosen at a special general meeting.

Sri Lanka Women’s captain Chamari Athapaththu is blocking out the noise around her future and locking into the present as her team prepares for a high-stakes tour of Bangladesh, where World Cup qualification points and momentum are firmly on the line.

Even as conversations about how long she might continue in international cricket gather pace, Chamari is keeping her approach measured. A recent discussion with the new head coach included a request for her to extend her career, but the skipper is not ready to look that far ahead.

“He spoke to me about continuing for another one or two years, but I prefer to take it step by step,” she said before the team’s departure. “My focus is on staying fit and performing. I don’t want to think too much about the future when there’s so much to do right now.”

What lies directly ahead is a six-match series three ODIs in Rajshahi followed by three T20Is in Sylhet with the 50-over games carrying added weight. Sri Lanka are firmly in the race for automatic qualification to the next ICC Women’s World Cup, and the points available in Bangladesh could prove decisive.

“These matches are very important for us,” Chamari said. “If we can secure those ODI points, it gives us a direct path to the World Cup. The team is in a good space mentally, and we’re confident about what we can achieve.”

That confidence will be tested early, not just by the conditions but also by changes in the lineup. Young opener Vishmi Gunaratne has been ruled out through injury, forcing a reshuffle at the top of the order. Chamari admitted the absence is significant but believes it opens the door for another player to step in.

“Vishmi has been a key player for us, so it’s definitely a loss,” she said. “But Hasini has earned this chance. She’s been performing consistently in domestic matches and other tournaments, so now it’s about taking that next step.”

There is also a personal fitness concern hovering over the captain herself. Chamari is recovering from a hand injury that required nine stitches, leaving her availability for the opening matches uncertain.

“I’m still working on my recovery, and we’ll have to assess things day by day,” she said. “Hopefully I can be ready, but we won’t rush it.”

Despite these setbacks, the mood within the squad remains optimistic, helped in part by a fresh approach from the new coaching staff. Since taking over after the West Indies series, the head coach has placed a clear emphasis on sharpening Sri Lanka’s power-hitting ability an area Chamari admits needed attention.

“With big tournaments coming up, we identified power hitting and overall batting strength as areas to improve,” she explained. “We’ve been working hard on that, and also on raising our fielding standards.”

Beyond immediate results, Chamari sees encouraging signs in the wider development of the women’s game back home. The rise of younger players, particularly at Under-19 level, has added depth and energy to the system.

“It’s great to see so many young girls coming into the game and performing well,” she said. “Women’s cricket in Sri Lanka is growing, and a lot of people deserve credit for that from the board to the selectors and former players.”