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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Cricket
Shammi Silva Re-Elected as Sri Lanka Cricket President for Fourth Consecutive Term
Shammi Silva has been re-elected as the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president for the 2025-27 term, marking his fourth consecutive tenure at the helm of the nation’s cricket governing body. Silva secured the position uncontested at the 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Colombo on Monday.
A Controversial Yet Dominant Tenure
Silva’s leadership has not been without controversy. His previous term saw a high-profile clash with former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe in 2023, which led to an interim committee being appointed after Sri Lanka’s poor performance in the ICC ODI World Cup. This move resulted in ICC suspending SLC, which led to Sri Lanka losing the hosting rights for the U19 Men’s World Cup, which was later held in South Africa.
Despite these setbacks, Silva regained control after a court ruling reinstated his administration, and he was later appointed as the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in December 2023, replacing Jay Shah.
Challenges & Future Outlook
Sri Lanka Cricket has long been seen as a powerful and influential body, with internal politics often shaping its leadership. With financial mismanagement concerns highlighted in the Auditor General’s report, Silva’s administration faces the challenge of restoring credibility and ensuring better governance.
With the ICC ban lifted, Sri Lanka looks to rebuild its cricketing structure and improve performance on the international stage. The focus now shifts to upcoming bilateral series, the Asia Cup, and preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Stay tuned for more updates on Sri Lanka Cricket and the latest in the world of sports!
Cricket
Stephen Fleming Defends MS Dhoni’s Batting Position Amid Criticism
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has defended MS Dhoni’s late entry in the batting order, stating that the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman cannot play an extended innings at full intensity due to lingering knee concerns.
The 43-year-old Dhoni faced criticism after coming in at No. 9 during CSK’s 50-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Chepauk. In the next match against Rajasthan Royals on March 30, 2025, he batted at No. 7 when CSK required 54 off 25 balls but managed just 16 off 11 as his team fell short by six runs.
Fleming’s Explanation on Dhoni’s Role
Fleming emphasized that Dhoni carefully assesses the match situation before deciding when to bat.
“It’s all about timing. MS judges his body and situation. His knees aren’t what they used to be, so he can’t bat for 10 overs at full intensity. He will step in based on the game’s demands,” Fleming explained at the post-match press conference.
The CSK coach reiterated that Dhoni remains too valuable to the team for his leadership and wicketkeeping and that sending him in too early could be a strategic misstep.
“From around the 13th or 14th over, he assesses the situation and decides. He trusts other batters early on but steps up when needed.”
CSK’s Struggles in the Powerplay Cost Them the Match
Fleming also pinpointed CSK’s poor powerplay performance as a key reason for their loss against Rajasthan Royals. While RR blasted 79/1 in the powerplay, CSK only managed 42/1,
Cricket
Inaugural ‘Battle of Green’ Set to Ignite a New School Cricket Rivalry
Cricket enthusiasts in Mirigama and Giriulla are in for an exciting showdown as D.S. Senanayake College, Mirigama, and Wickramshila National School, Giriulla, prepare to launch their first-ever “Battle of Green” big match.
This historic encounter will take place at the Mirigama Public Grounds, marking the beginning of a thrilling annual rivalry between the two schools. Fans from both towns are expected to gather in large numbers, adding to the electric atmosphere of this inaugural clash.
The introduction of the Battle of Green is a significant milestone for school cricket in the region, providing a platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent while fostering sportsmanship and competitive spirit.
Stay tuned for match updates, player insights, and exclusive coverage on Sri Lankan Sports TV.
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