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Kingswood College, Kandy stickers crowned Champs at the under 20 All Island Schools Games 2023

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M.H.Yakeem

Kingswood College, Kandy stickers was crowned as the Champions at the under 20 All Island Schools games Hockey tournament 2023, beating St. Thomas College, Matale by 3 goals to 2 in a thrilling final, organised and conducted by the Ministry of Education, played at St. Peter’s College ground, Colombo-04 on Friday.

Kingswood College, Kandy stickers got qualified to the final beating Dharmadutha College, Badulla by 4 goals to 1 in the quarter final and St. Joseph’s College, Colombo by 3 goals to nil in the semi final, while St.Thomas College, Matale got qualified to the final beating St.Thomas College, Mount Lavinia in a nail biting finish, on penalty strokes ( 8/7 ) in the quarter final and Vijaya College, Matale by 1 goal to nil in the semi final. 

In a thrilling final, Kingswood College, Kandy stickers opened the scoring in a few minutes of the start of play from the stick of M.R.S D. Thushara and Dineth Madushanka scoring the goal for St. Thomas College, Matale, the score stood to read as 1 all at half time. Both team players showcasing their best of talents in the second half, Kingswoodians got their 2nd goal from the stick of H.M.O.V. Dissanayake,  Janadhi Jayatissa scoring the 3rd goal for the Kingswoodians and Thuhara Wijesooriya scoring the 2nd goal for the Matale Thomians, Kingswoodians leading by 3 goals to 2 at this moment,  their defence stood firmly to hold the  MataleThomians forward line till the end of play, which saw them be crowned as the Champions of the under 20 All Island Schools Games 2023. With this Championship,  Kingswood College has pocketed around 4 Championships, under the guidance of their Head Coach,  A.B. Godigamuwa and Assistant Coach,  C.L. Sumanarathna for the year 2023, which is a remarkable performance achieved by these youngsters. 

The tournament was organised and conducted by the Ministry of Education, under the direction of the Director of Sports, Upali Amaratunga. Deputy Director of the Kegalle Zonal, M.D. Wasantha Kumara along with Indrawansa Herath, as the Technical Officer was appointed, to oversee that the tournament to be run smoothly. 

23 Teams from 9 Provinces got qualified to play at this tournament,  out of the 23 teams,  17 teams took part. The teams are Kingswood College Kandy, St John’s College Jaffna,  Sandalalankawa NS, St. Thomas College Matara, Dharmadutha College Badulla,  Richmond College Galle, Parakramabahu NS Polgahawela, St. Joseph’s College Colombo,  Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa, St. Thomas College Mount Lavinia,  Uva College Badulla,  St. Thomas College Matale,  Vaddukodai College Jaffna, Vipulananda Central College Kalmunai, Vijaya College Matale,  Ananda College Colombo,  St. Aloysius College Galle.

Lahiru Weerasooriya,  T.K. Heendeniya, I R.K. Wilwalaarachchi, S. Abeykoon, Abeetha Fernando,  Ishan Kulatunga,  Kusal Thilakasiri,  D.J. Prakash, T.M.S.D. Aberathne, T.M.M D. Abeyrathne, was assigned to officiate at this tournament,  while H.M.C.H. Bandara and A.H.M. Hanafi as Technical Officers. 

Kingswood College stickers comprises, M R.S.D. Thushara, R.O.D. Ranathunga, H.M.C.A. Abeyrathne, K.A.D. Thewanka,  J.A. Wanninayake, H.M.O V. Dissanayake,  I.U. Nemendra, V.K.N. Herath, R.T. Perera,  B.B. Hollowe, S.J. Jayatissa,  K.P.L.Chethana, C L. Hawanpola, D.M.N. Chularathne,  B.M.L. Gunawardena,  A.P.B. Rathnayake, D.M. Karunarathne, R.K.P. Jayathilaka 

Caption 

The Kingswood College Kandy winning team with the Deputy Director of the Kegalle Zonal M D. Wasantha Kumara, Technical Officer, Indrawansa Herath, Head Coach A.B. Godigamuwa and Assistant Coach C.L. Sumanarathna.

Cricket

Team Green Clinch Women’s NSL T20 Title with Commanding Final Victory

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Team Green were crowned champions of the Women’s National Super League T20 tournament after producing a dominant six-wicket victory over Team Blue in the final played at the P. Sara Oval on Saturday.

The championship triumph was built on a disciplined and clinical bowling performance, as Team Green dismissed Team Blue for a modest total of 95 in 18.1 overs. Oshadi Ranasinghe led the attack with an outstanding four-wicket haul, applying sustained pressure through the middle overs and preventing any meaningful recovery. She received strong support from Malsha Shehani, Kawya Kavindi, Nimasha Madushani, and Udeshika Prabodani, as Team Blue struggled to establish partnerships.

Team Blue found resistance through Chamari Athapaththu, who played a determined innings of 51 from 41 deliveries. Her knock helped stabilise the innings after early setbacks, but regular wickets at the other end stalled momentum. Once Athapaththu was dismissed, the remainder of the batting lineup was unable to provide support, leading to a rapid collapse.

In response, Team Green approached the chase with calm assurance. Despite losing a few early wickets, they remained firmly in control throughout the pursuit of the modest target. Nilakshika Silva anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 36, rotating the strike effectively and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Oshadi Ranasinghe completed a memorable all-round performance by contributing an unbeaten 16, ensuring there were no late complications.

Team Green reached the target at 98 for 4 in 18.1 overs, sealing the title with 11 balls to spare. Team Blue’s bowlers attempted to apply pressure, but the total proved insufficient to trouble a well-organised batting unit.

The victory capped a successful campaign for Team Green, underlining their consistency and balance throughout the tournament, while Oshadi Ranasinghe’s all-round brilliance stood out on the biggest stage.

Brief Scores

Team Blue – 95 all out in 18.1 overs
Chamari Athapaththu 51; Oshadi Ranasinghe 4/17, Udeshika Prabodani 1/17

Team Green – 98/4 in 18.1 overs
Nilakshika Silva 36*, Oshadi Ranasinghe 16*; Devmi Vihanga 1/22

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Cricket

Milan, Dunith Likely to Return for ODIs as Sri Lanka Prepare for England Series

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England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026

All-rounders Milan Rathnayake and Dunith Wellalage are set to make their return to Sri Lanka’s One-Day International squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, which is scheduled to begin in the coming days.

Sri Lanka selectors have opted for a well-balanced squad that blends experienced campaigners with emerging talent as the hosts prepare for a demanding home series against a strong England side.

Charith Asalanka will continue to lead the ODI team as captain, with his role in the middle order expected to be pivotal. Asalanka’s ability to absorb pressure and accelerate when required will be key against England’s varied bowling attack.

At the top of the order, Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara are expected to open the batting. Nissanka’s consistency and sound technique remain central to Sri Lanka’s ODI plans, while Mishara will be eager to convert starts into meaningful contributions. Their partnership will be crucial in providing solid foundations.

Wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis adds experience and aggression to the middle order, offering Sri Lanka flexibility in both tempo and shot selection. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Janith Liyanage further strengthen the batting unit, with both players capable of anchoring the innings or playing decisive roles when momentum is needed.

The squad features strong all-round depth, with Kamindu Mendis offering versatility with both bat and ball. The return of Wanindu Hasaranga significantly enhances Sri Lanka’s all-round options, with his leg-spin expected to play a decisive role on home pitches. Dunith Wellalage’s inclusion adds another spin-bowling all-rounder capable of controlling the middle overs.

Milan Rathnayake’s likely return boosts the seam-bowling all-round resources, while the pace attack will be led by Asitha Fernando, supported by Eshan Malinga and Pramod Madushan. The spin department is further reinforced by Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay, both expected to be influential under Sri Lankan conditions.

The first ODI of the series is scheduled to be played on Thursday (22) at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Probable Sri Lanka ODI Squad vs England

Charith Asalanka (Captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay.

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Peiris, Norbert, Usgodaarachchi and De Silva Lead Women’s Charge at Yeti SSC Open

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The Women’s Singles quarterfinals at the Yeti SSC Open Tennis Championship delivered a high standard of competition, with Yuhansa Peiris, Annaya Norbert, Sandithi Usgodaarachchi, and Dinara De Silva producing impressive performances to book their places in the semifinals.

Yuhansa Peiris produced one of the most commanding displays of the tournament, overwhelming Dulkini Ranasinghe in straight sets, 6/0, 6/0. Peiris controlled the match from the outset, combining solid baseline dominance with precise shot placement and relentless pressure that gave her opponent little opportunity to find rhythm.

Dinara De Silva was equally dominant in her quarterfinal encounter, cruising past Aroshi Thomas 6/1, 6/0. De Silva’s confident shot selection, consistent aggression, and sharp court movement allowed her to dictate play throughout the match, underlining her strong form in the championship.

One of the most competitive matches of the women’s quarterfinals saw Annaya Norbert edge past Biyanka Acquistapace in a tightly contested contest. Norbert held her nerve in crucial moments to secure a 6/4, 7/6 victory, clinching the match in a tense second-set tiebreak after sustained pressure from both players.

Sandithi Usgodaarachchi showcased impressive resilience and mental strength in her quarterfinal clash against Vinethya Dharmarathne. After dropping the opening set 2/6, Usgodaarachchi regrouped and raised her intensity, dominating the next two sets 6/3, 6/1 to complete a hard-fought comeback and advance to the semifinals.

The Men’s Singles quarterfinals were equally compelling, with several strong performances shaping an exciting semifinal lineup. Ganuka Fernando advanced with a composed 6/3, 6/4 victory over Ashen Silva, using disciplined baseline play and timely winners to maintain control during key phases of the match.

Thehan Wijemanne delivered one of the most dominant performances in the men’s draw, dismantling Neven Kannangara 6/1, 6/2. Wijemanne’s aggressive approach and constant pressure from the opening game left little room for his opponent to recover.

Harishva Parameshwaran demonstrated experience and tactical awareness in a solid 6/2, 6/4 win against Rehan Gunawardhana, maintaining steady momentum and dictating play with well-constructed points. Rounding off the quarterfinal stage, Methvan Vijemanne advanced in emphatic fashion, defeating Aahil Kallel 6/1, 6/1 with excellent court coverage and sharp finishing.

With the semifinals now set, the Yeti SSC Open Tennis Championship continues to highlight the growing depth, competitiveness, and quality of Sri Lanka’s tennis talent across both the women’s and men’s categories.

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