News
Matale Ovilikanda Girls under 16 Hockey team emerge Joint Champs
M.H.Yakeem
Matale Ovilikanda Maha Vidyalaya emerged as Joint Champs with Medagama Maha Vidyalaya Polonnaruwa in their under 16 All Island Girls Hockey tournament 2023, organised and conducted by the Sri-Lanka Schools Hockey Association, under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, which was hosted by Polonnaruwa Royal College, played at the Royal College ground, Polonnaruwa on the 29th of October to the 01st of November 2023, which a Hockey tournament was held for the first time in the history of Hockey.
Ovilikanda Maha Vidyalaya, Matale competing in the Girls ” B ” division at this Championship 2023 and in their league matches played, they beat St. Paul’s by 4 goals to nil, Kekirawa Maha Vidyalaya by 5 goals to nil and Upananda Maha Vidyalaya by 5 goals to nil. Qualifying for the quarter-final, they beat Sumangala Vidyalaya by 2 goals to nil and in qualifying for the semi-final, they beat Janadhipathi Vidyalaya Galle on penalty strokes ( 6 / 5 ) in a thrilling contest. H.T.D S. Karunaratne and P.G.S.P. Wimalarathne of Ovilikanda Maha Vidyalaya Matale were adjudged as the Best Player and the Best Goalkeeper respectively.
Meeting Medagama Maha Vidyalaya Polonnaruwa in the final of the Girls ” B ” division Championship 2023, with the game ending in a draw, the officials decided to declare both teams as Joint Champions, due to bad weather.
Ovilikanda Maha Vidyalaya, a lesser known School from the district of Matale, Principal K.G.D.S.K. Dassanayake’s able support to uplift and develop Hockey in the School along with the MIC H.M.R.D. Herath was a boost to these young lasses. Coach D.K. Piyadigamage, who is also a talented player from Christ Church Matale has made a tremendous effort by guiding them to emerge as Joint Champions, where they have brought the name of the School to a state of recognition in the district of Matale with a lack of facilities.
The Principal of Ovilikanda Maha Vidyalaya, K.G.D.S.K. Dassanayake made a special thanks to the Director and the Officials of the Central Province Sports Academy, under the guidance of the Central Province Sports Department for the contribution of the Hockey materials made to these young lasses, where they have proved and showed their talents as an outstanding team in the future.
The team comprises of H.T.D.S. Karunarathne, D.D.C.P. Jayawickrama, D.G.S.N. Premadasa, P.H.N.N. Rathnapala, A.G.S. Thilakarathne, A.M.G.Y.M. Dharmakeerthi, P.G.S. Dewmini, L.G.A.D. Liyanage, K.G.I.D. Karunarathne, A.S.K. Samaranayake, B.W.D.M. Bulathwatte, W.D. Waniganeththi, K.D.I. Wijayanthi, U.G.C.W. Jayasinghe, E.G.A.S. Kumarasiri, G.G.M. Lochana, G.P.G.D.P. Sathsarani, E.G.S K. Somaweera, E.G.D.N. Senadheera, P.G.S.P. Wimalarathna
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News
Ceylon Masters Badminton Championships 2026 Entry Deadline Extended Until June 3
The Organizing Committee of the Ceylon Masters International Badminton Championships 2026 has announced an extension of the tournament entry deadline, giving players additional time to register for one of the region’s premier masters badminton events.
According to the organizers, the revised closing date for entries is June 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The extension is expected to provide greater flexibility for players who have yet to complete their registration process.

The championship is set to attract a large number of masters badminton players from around the world, who will converge in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for a highly competitive international tournament. The event has steadily grown in stature and is now regarded as a key fixture on the global masters badminton calendar.
Tournament officials have encouraged interested players to take advantage of the extended deadline and secure their participation before entries officially close. They emphasized that the championship offers competitors a valuable opportunity to test their skills against international opponents while experiencing Sri Lanka’s renowned hospitality and sporting culture.
With strong local and overseas interest already evident, organizers expect another successful edition of the tournament and have urged players not to miss the opportunity to be part of this exciting international badminton championship.
Cricket
Virat Kohli half-century and bowlers help RCB retain IPL title
Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their IPL crown with a composed five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final, powered by a masterful unbeaten 75 from Virat Kohli and a disciplined bowling performance.
After being asked to bat first, Gujarat Titans struggled to build momentum against a relentless RCB attack and were restricted to 155 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Titans lost both openers early as Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill inside the first four overs. Nishant Sindhu briefly resisted with 20, but wickets fell at regular intervals as RCB tightened their grip on the contest.
Washington Sundar stood firm amid the collapse, producing a fighting unbeaten 50 off 37 deliveries that featured five boundaries. However, he received little support from the middle order. Rasikh Salam emerged as the pick of the bowlers with impressive figures of 3 for 27, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood claimed two wickets apiece. Krunal Pandya also chipped in with a crucial scalp as Gujarat finished below a par total.
In reply, RCB got off to a flying start through Venkatesh Iyer, who blasted 32 from just 16 balls. Although the defending champions lost a few quick wickets in the middle overs, Kohli anchored the chase with another vintage innings under pressure.
The veteran star struck nine fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 75 off 42 balls, controlling the innings with a blend of aggression and composure. Rajat Patidar contributed 15, while Tim David added a valuable 24 before falling with the target in sight.
Kohli then guided RCB home alongside wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, who remained unbeaten on 11, as Bengaluru reached 161 for 5 in just 18 overs.
The victory secured back-to-back IPL titles for RCB and once again highlighted Kohli’s enduring class on the biggest stage.
Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans 155/8 in 20 overs (Washington Sundar 50; Rasikh Salam 3/27, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/29, Josh Hazlewood 2/37) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 161/5 in 18 overs (Virat Kohli 75, Venkatesh Iyer 32, Tim David 24; Rashid Khan 2/25) by five wickets.
Athletics
Tarushi Abisheka Wins Gold for Sri Lanka at Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships
Sri Lankan athlete Tarushi Abisheka secured a gold medal in the girls’ 1500m event at the Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships currently being held in Hong Kong on Thursday (May 28).
Abisheka delivered an impressive performance to finish first with a timing of 4 minutes and 31.41 seconds, bringing glory to Sri Lanka on the international stage.
Iran’s Maryam Baluoutaki claimed the silver medal, while South Korea’s Song Dawson finished in third place to secure the bronze.
The talented Sri Lankan middle-distance runner is also competing in the 800m event at the championship.
The Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships has attracted athletes from 40 countries, competing across 46 events.
Sri Lanka has fielded a 22-member contingent for the tournament, consisting of 15 male athletes and seven female athletes.
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