Sri Lanka’s Dinara de Silva and Aahil Kaleel advanced to the girls’ and boys’ singles finals respectively at the ITF J30 Week 2 Junior Tennis Tournament being held at the SSC Courts from 2 to 8 June.

Dinara secured a dominant semifinal victory over the Maldives’ Karin Saizan, while Aahil battled through a tough three-set encounter against India’s Vivaan Mirdha to keep Sri Lankan hopes alive in the boys’ competition.

In the girls’ singles semifinals, Dinara produced an impressive display to defeat Karin Saizan 4-1, 4-0. Fellow Sri Lankan Yuhansa Peiris also booked her place in the final after overcoming India’s Aahida Singh 5-4, 4-0. Their victories set up an all-Sri Lankan championship clash.

The boys’ singles semifinals featured a thrilling contest between Aahil and Vivaan Mirdha. After winning the first set 4-2 and dropping the second 2-4, Aahil held his nerve to claim the match tie-break 10-7. In the other semifinal, India’s Shiok Chauhan defeated compatriot Punith Manchira 5-3, 4-2 to reach the final.

The girls’ final will see Dinara face Yuhansa, while Aahil will take on Chauhan in the boys’ title match.

Dinara enters the final in outstanding form, having won the Week 1 singles title. She also teamed up with Yuhansa to capture the Week 1 girls’ doubles championship. The tournament is particularly significant for Dinara as it marks her final ITF Junior tournament appearance on Sri Lankan soil before embarking on the next stage of her international tennis journey.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s Cricket Transformation Committee recently engaged in a productive dialogue with the country’s leading women cricketers, reaffirming its commitment to elevating the status and development of women’s cricket across all levels.

The meeting brought together players representing the national team, Sri Lanka ‘A’, and the Under-19 women’s squad. It was chaired by Cricket Transformation Committee Chairman Eran Wickramaratne and attended by several prominent figures in Sri Lankan cricket administration and former international stars.

Among those present were Sri Lanka Cricket Honorary Secretary Prakash Schaffter, Cricket Committee Chairman Sidath Wettimuny, former national captains Kumar Sangakkara and Roshan Mahanama, as well as committee members Dinal Phillips PC, Upul Kumarapperuma PC, Avanthi Colombage and Thushira Raddella. Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley De Silva and Sri Lanka Women’s Head Coach Jamie Siddons also participated in the discussions.

Addressing the gathering, Wickramaratne praised the remarkable strides made by Sri Lanka’s women cricketers in recent years, highlighting their historic Asia Cup victory as a defining moment for the sport in the country.

He described the achievement as a milestone that had “rewritten the history of women’s cricket in Sri Lanka” and commended the players for their dedication, discipline and commitment to excellence.

Wickramaratne assured the players that the Cricket Transformation Committee would work towards creating a more equitable cricketing environment, ensuring that women’s cricket receives greater opportunities, recognition and support in line with the men’s game.

Looking ahead, he extended his best wishes to the national women’s team as they prepare for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, expressing confidence in their ability to continue making the nation proud on the international stage.

The session also featured motivational addresses from Sangakkara, Wettimuny and Mahanama, who shared insights from their own distinguished careers. They encouraged the players to remain focused on both their sporting ambitions and personal development while embracing the values of discipline, teamwork and responsibility.

The cricketing legends emphasized that sustained success is built on collective effort, urging every member of the squad to understand and execute their role effectively for the benefit of the team.

The meeting forms part of Sri Lanka Cricket’s broader efforts to strengthen the women’s game and ensure that the country’s emerging female talent is equipped with the resources and guidance needed to thrive at the highest level.

Sri Lankan javelin sensation Rumesh Pathirage produced the performance of a lifetime at the Rome Diamond League, launching the spear an astonishing 92.62 metres to become the second-best javelin thrower in Asian history and move to eighth place on the world all-time rankings.

The 23-year-old delivered the remarkable throw with his second attempt in the men’s javelin competition, sending shockwaves through the athletics world and cementing his place among the sport’s elite.

Pathirage’s record-breaking effort not only shattered his previous personal best but also established a new Sri Lankan national record and the world-leading mark for the 2026 season.
Adding to the significance of the achievement, the Sri Lankan star eclipsed the long-standing Rome Diamond League meet record of 90.34 metres, which had stood for two decades and was set by Olympic champion Andreas Thorkildsen.

The historic throw marks a major milestone for Sri Lankan athletics, with Pathirage becoming the first athlete from the island nation to surpass the coveted 90-metre barrier in international competition.

His performance places him among the greatest javelin throwers of all time and further strengthens his credentials as a leading contender for major global championships in the years ahead.