News
Kingswood/ Royal Hockey encounter for the Lennie De Silva Memorial Trophy on 22 September 2023
M.H.Yakeem
The annual Hockey encounter between Kingswood College Kandy stickers and Royal College Colombo stickers, for the Lennie De Silva Memorial Trophy, will be played on the 22nd of September 2023 at the University of Peradeniya ground, Peradeniya, Kandy.
The trophy was inaugurated in 2004 to honor and commemorate the services of Kingswoodian, Lennie De Silva. He was a well-rounded sportsman, as he played Cricket, Tennis, and Soccer for Kingswood College and Government Teachers’ Training College. Most notably, he introduced the game of Hockey to Royal in 1955 and was a part of the academic staff of both Kingswood College and Royal College.
Kingswood Hockey boasts a rich and proud history with a legacy that spans generations. When India’s National Hockey side toured Sri Lanka in the 1960s, former Kingswood College star players, Freddie White and Derrick Harvie got the opportunity to Captain the Ceylon Team in the game against India. Moreover, in the Indo-Ceylon test series, Kingswoodian Iqbal Jumar spearheaded the Mercantile Hockey team, while Roy De Silva captained the Kandy district Hockey team and was also the National Olympic Committee Chairman for several years.
In the recent past, Kingswoodians have been going through a purple patch. Particularly in 2023, Kingswood College stickers clinched the Championship of the under 20 Central Province Hockey tournament and also emerged as the Champions of the Ritzbury Thomian Hockey, all Island Schools 7’s as well. Certainly, they will be hoping to continue this winning momentum. Kingswood College, Kandy stickers will be Captained by S.D. Thushara and O.D. Ranathunga will be his deputy. A.B. Godigamuwa is the Head Coach and will be assisted by C.I. Sumanarathna.
Royal College, Colombo srickers will be Captained by Akash Wijesekera and Himsara Caldera will be his deputy. Head Coach, Insaka Samaranayake along with Assistant Coaches, Damith Panditharathne and Shahid Kuthubdeen, have been entrusted with the duties of the development of Hockey at Royal College.MIC Prabath Gallage, with Senior games MIC, Riyaz Aluhser has always been a tower of strength to these young lads. In the series, Royal College stickers are leading with 7 wins.
Caption Action from last year’s Kingswood/Royal encounter

Cricket
Sri Lanka name squads for full-format West Indies tour
Sri Lanka Cricket has announced the national squads for the upcoming multi-format tour of the West Indies, with selectors blending experienced campaigners and emerging talent across the Test, ODI and T20I squads.
The tour, which begins later this month, will feature white-ball and red-ball cricket, with the ODI series scheduled first before the teams move into the T20I and Test contests. The Sri Lankan squad is set to depart tomorrow, May 26, for what is expected to be a challenging overseas assignment in Caribbean conditions.
Senior batter Pathum Nissanka has been included in all three squads alongside wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis and all-rounder Kamindu Mendis, underlining their importance to Sri Lanka’s plans across formats.
In Test cricket, Dhananjaya de Silva will continue to lead the side, while Kamindu Mendis has been named vice-captain. The squad also includes experienced names such as Dinesh Chandimal, Prabath Jayasuriya and fast bowlers Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara.
Selectors have also rewarded several emerging players, with Lahiru Udara, Sonal Dinusha and Isitha Wijesundara earning places in the Test squad as Sri Lanka looks to build depth ahead of future international commitments.
For the ODI and T20I squads, Kusal Mendis has been entrusted with captaincy duties, while Kamindu Mendis will serve as deputy in both formats. The inclusion of power hitters such as Dasun Shanaka and explosive opener Lasith Croospulle signals Sri Lanka’s intention to adopt an aggressive approach in limited-overs cricket.
Spin will once again be spearheaded by Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage, while the pace attack features Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga and Binura Fernando.
The tour is expected to provide Sri Lanka with a crucial opportunity to test combinations in unfamiliar conditions against a traditionally strong Caribbean outfit. With several senior players returning alongside promising youngsters, selectors appear focused on balancing immediate success with long-term squad development.
Test Squad
Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis (Vice-Captain), Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Isitha Wijesundara.
ODI Squad
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Kusal Mendis (Captain), Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis (Vice-Captain), Milan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan.
T20I Squad
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lasith Croospulle, Pavan Rathnayake, Kusal Mendis (Captain), Kamindu Mendis (Vice-Captain), Dasun Shanaka, Milan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara.
Cricket
New Zealand secure consolation win but Sri Lanka clinch series
New Zealand ‘A’ Women signed off their tour with a narrow five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka ‘A’ Women in the third and final T20 played at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Despite the defeat, Sri Lanka secured the three-match series 2-1 after winning the opening two encounters convincingly.
Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka endured a disappointing outing with the bat and were bundled out for just 78 in 16.5 overs. The home side never recovered after losing early wickets, with only skipper Sathya Sandeepani and Sanjana Kavindi reaching double figures in the top order.
Kavindi struck 15 runs with three boundaries before falling to Jess Watkin, while Sandeepani battled for 16 off 23 deliveries. Sumudu Nisansala added 15 runs, but the Sri Lankan innings continued to crumble against disciplined New Zealand bowling.
Jess Watkin starred with the ball, producing an outstanding spell of 4 for 4 in 2.5 overs to rip through the middle and lower order. Kayley Knight claimed two wickets, while Fran Jonas, Bella Armstrong and Marama Downes chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing a modest target of 79, New Zealand also found batting difficult on the slow surface but managed to reach the target in 18.5 overs with five wickets in hand.
Prue Catton anchored the innings with an unbeaten 30 off 38 balls, holding the innings together after Sri Lanka struck regularly. Kate Anderson contributed 17 runs, while Kate Gaging remained unbeaten on seven at the finish.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers fought hard to defend the small total. Sachini Nisansala and Pramudi Methsara picked up two wickets each, while Chamudi Praboda accounted for New Zealand captain Jess Watkin.
However, Catton’s composed knock guided the visitors home as New Zealand earned a consolation win to end the tour on a positive note.
Cricket
KKR Bring in Luvnith Sisodia as Replacement for Injured Matheesha Pathirana
Kolkata Knight Riders have drafted in Karnataka wicketkeeper-batter Luvnith Sisodia as a replacement for Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana ahead of their crucial final league-stage fixture against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026.
Pathirana has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury during KKR’s victory over Gujarat Titans last weekend. The Sri Lankan speedster, one of the franchise’s marquee signings at the auction, was bought for a massive INR 18 crore but endured an injury-plagued campaign.
The 23-year-old had already missed the early stages of the season due to a left calf injury sustained during Sri Lanka’s Super Eight campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Although he eventually joined the squad in mid-April after recovering, his comeback proved short-lived.
Making his first appearance for KKR against Gujarat Titans, Pathirana bowled just 1.2 overs before leaving the field in visible discomfort with a left hamstring problem. Subsequent medical assessments confirmed that he would take no further part in the tournament.
In response, KKR have turned to Luvnith Sisodia, a promising left-handed wicketkeeper-batter from Karnataka. Sisodia has featured in 13 T20 matches at the domestic level but is still awaiting his IPL debut.
The youngster is no stranger to the IPL environment, having previously spent time with Royal Challengers Bengaluru before being picked up by KKR during the 2025 mega auction. His inclusion also strengthens Kolkata’s wicketkeeping options following injuries to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who was sidelined after suffering a concussion and finger fracture earlier in the campaign.
KKR’s playoff hopes remain slim but alive heading into their final round-robin encounter. The defending champions will first need Rajasthan Royals to lose against Mumbai Indians. Even then, Kolkata must secure a convincing victory over Delhi Capitals to improve their net run rate sufficiently and overtake Punjab Kings for a place in the Eliminator.
-
Football1 year agoSri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025: Super 8 Fixtures and Grouping
-
News1 year ago2025 Schools Rugby Season Set to Thrill Fans with Knockout and League Action
-
Cricket12 months agoNuwan Thushara Shines as RCB Storms into IPL 2025 Final
-
Cricket1 year agoSri Lanka’s Greatest Cricketers: Top Batters and Bowlers of All Time
-
Live5 years agoLive Broadcast of Syria vs Sri Lanka | AFC U23 Asian Championship Qualification
-
News12 months agoMajor Shake-Up in Sports Governance: New 2025 Regulations Reform National Sports Bodies in Sri Lanka
-
Football1 year agoFFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision
-
Football1 year agoSri Lanka Announces U19 Football Squad for SAFF Championship 2025

