News

Matale Ovilikanda Girls under 16 Hockey team emerge Joint Champs

Published

2 years ago

November 12, 2023

Editor

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

Caption

News

Sri Lanka Dominates Saudi Arabia in Junior Davis Cup Qualifying!

Published

5 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Editor

In the ongoing Junior Davis Cup Tennis Qualifying Tournament currently being held in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka had a great weekend by defeating Saudi Arabia 3-0.

The team showed their dominance by winning both singles matches and then winning both doubles matches with comfortable margins.

Sri Lanka won the first singles match when Ashlin de Silva beat Mahdi Al Ibrahim 6-2, 7-5.

In the second singles match, Mayuran Kubern came back after losing the first set to defeat Ahmed Baha Sarouji 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Sri Lanka then continued their momentum into the doubles matches where Mayuran Kubern and Ashlin de Silva defeated the Saudi pair 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

In the other doubles match, the Sri Lankan duo was ahead in the second set 4-6 when the Saudi pair of Mahdi Al Ibrahim and Souhail ElFarouki retired from the match.

With this comprehensive win, Sri Lanka is now in a very strong position within the tournament.

The team will have a day off on Monday and is scheduled to play in the Championship on Thursday.

Cricket

Nuwan Thushara Set to Miss IPL 2026 After SLC NOC Refusal

Published

9 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Editor

Nuwan Thushara is set to miss the upcoming IPL 2026 season in a significant setback for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) declined to issue him a No Objection Certificate (NOC).

The decision comes following SLC’s latest policy requiring all centrally contracted players to meet strict fitness standards before being cleared for overseas franchise leagues. Thushara reportedly failed to reach the required fitness benchmarks, leading to uncertainty over his participation and eventual exclusion.

RCB had secured the services of the Sri Lankan pacer for approximately INR 1.6 crore, viewing him as a valuable addition to their pace attack. However, his absence could now force the franchise to rethink their squad composition ahead of the tournament.

Interestingly, reports indicate that Thushara is not carrying any injury and remains available to bowl. Despite this, concerns over his overall fitness levels falling short of SLC’s criteria have ultimately ruled him out of the competition.

During his stint with RCB, Thushara featured in just one match, largely serving as a backup option. He made a notable impact in that appearance, returning figures of 1 for 26 with an impressive economy rate of 6.50, showcasing his potential when called upon.

Cricket

Sri Lanka Set for December White-Ball Tour of India

Published

9 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka will tour India in December 2026 for an exciting white-ball series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. The tour promises competitive cricket action across multiple iconic venues, giving fans across the country a chance to witness the matches live.

The ODI series will begin on December 13 in Delhi, followed by the second match in Bengaluru on December 16. The third and final ODI will be played in Ahmedabad on December 19.
The T20I series will kick off on December 22 in Rajkot. The action will then move to Cuttack for the second T20I on December 24, before concluding in Pune on December 27.

ODI Series
•⁠ ⁠13 Dec – 1st ODI – Delhi
•⁠ ⁠16 Dec – 2nd ODI – Bengaluru
•⁠ ⁠19 Dec – 3rd ODI – Ahmedabad
T20I Series
•⁠ ⁠22 Dec – 1st T20I – Rajkot
•⁠ ⁠24 Dec – 2nd T20I – Cuttack
•⁠ ⁠27 Dec – 3rd T20I – Pune