News

Mathews, Dimuth, and Chameera make the cut for the white ball series against Afghanistan

Published

2 years ago

May 27, 2023

Editor

Dushan Hemantha and Matheesha Pathirana are in line to debut in the first ODI

Former skippers Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews and spearhead Dushmantha Chameera have been included in the Sri Lanka squad to face Afghanistan in the three-match ODI series scheduled to begin on June 2 in Mahinda Rajapaksa international stadium, Hambanthota.

Dimuth Karunaratne who was dropped from the white ball format after the 2019 world cup in England has been recalled to the squad to strengthen the top order where he is likely to open the batting along with Pathum Nissanka who is also back in the team after recovering from a back injury.

Dimuth Karunaratne who has played 86 test matches and 34 ODI has good experience as an opener he played his last ODI in 2021 March 14 against West Indies at North Sound. Karunarathna recently played two T20 matches at BPL in Dhaka and scored an unbeaten 70 and 21 for the Shinepokur team in the Dhaka Premier League tournament. He also had the opportunity to play Australia League white ball tournament and once again got a chance to enter the National white ball squad.

Meanwhile, Angelo Mathews who was also dropped from the white ball squad after his poor performance was given a chance at Sri Lanka’s tour to New Zealand in April but he failed to live up to expectations. It seems like selectors have once again given a chance to the former skipper to show his capabilities ahead of the world cup Qualifiers in June and July in Zimbabwe.

It is learnt the inclusion of Dimuth and Angelo in the squad will be a morale booster for the youngster, especially considering their experience.

Pacer Dushmantha Chameera has also found a spot in the 16-member squad after being out of action for almost 15 months after undergoing surgery on his ankle.

Chameera will be backed by Lasith Malinga like Matheesha Pathirana to strengthen the bowling department. Pacers Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha are also in the squad.

Another notable inclusion for the squad is
Leg-spinning all-rounder Dushan Hemantha who is also expected to debut in the first ODI.

Dushan Hemantha who was part of the Test squad that beat Ireland 2-0 in April but failed to earn his Test cap, has finally earned a call to the white ball squad for the first time to boost the spin attack alongside Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana.

It is reported the selectors have backed more on the batters with including8 of them the likes of Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, skipper Dasun Shanaka and Sadeera Samarawickrama.

Sri Lanka is also likely to experiment with a new opening pair and is likely to go with Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka.

Wicketkeeper batter Sadeera Samarawickrama has also been recalled to the white ball set-up after almost 4 years after his decent performance in domestic cricket.

The only concern for Sri Lanka ahead of the world cup qualifiers next month is Kusal Janith Perera’s injury. As a result, he has also loose his spot in the squad to face Afghanistan but it is believed the dashing batter will be fully fit for the World Cup qualifiers in June-July in Zimbabwe.

16-Member squad:

Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha

Athletics

Three Sri Lankan Athletes Qualify for World Athletics Indoor Championships 2025

Published

4 hours ago

March 13, 2025

Editor

Colombo: In a historic achievement for Sri Lankan athletics, three national athletes have officially qualified for the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2025, set to take place from May 21 to 23 in Nanjing, China. This marks Sri Lanka’s largest representation at the prestigious event in over two decades.

Sri Lankan Athletes Heading to Nanjing 2025

The three Sri Lankan athletes who secured their spots based on performances and world rankings are:

Chamod Yodasinghe – 60m Sprint
Kalinga Kumarage – 400m
Kaveesha Bandara – 60m Hurdles

Their qualification comes after impressive performances at the inaugural National Short Course Championship, highlighting Sri Lanka’s growing potential in indoor athletics.

A Historic Moment for Sri Lanka

The last time Sri Lanka sent a team to the World Athletics Indoor Championships was in 2001 (Lisbon), where four athletes represented the nation. This latest qualification marks the largest contingent in over 20 years, showcasing significant progress despite limited indoor competition opportunities in Sri Lanka.

With preparations underway, these athletes will aim to make an impact on the global stage and elevate Sri Lanka’s presence in international athletics.

Stay tuned for more updates on Sri Lanka’s journey to Nanjing 2025!

News

Chinese Government Pledges Support for Sri Lanka’s Sports and Youth Development

Published

1 day ago

March 12, 2025

Editor

Colombo: In a significant move towards strengthening sports and youth development in Sri Lanka, Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong met with Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumar Gamage, and Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara today (26) at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

During the meeting, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong congratulated the newly appointed ministers and reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s sports and youth programs. Discussions centered on enhancing bilateral cooperation and exploring actionable initiatives to uplift sports development in the country.

A key highlight of the discussions was China’s willingness to promote sports such as Tai Chi and Dragon Boat Racing in Sri Lanka. This initiative aligns with the broader vision of fostering international sports collaboration and expanding the sporting culture within the country.

This renewed partnership marks an important step in Sri Lanka’s sports development, paving the way for future investments and technical support to enhance local sporting infrastructure and training programs.

Stay tuned for more updates on this collaboration and its impact on Sri Lankan sports!

Football

Sri Lanka to Host the Prestigious 2025 SAFF Championship After 17 Years

Published

1 day ago

March 12, 2025

Editor

Colombo: Sri Lanka has officially been granted the hosting rights for the 2025 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship, set to take place in June 2025. The decision marks a historic moment for Sri Lankan football, as the nation last hosted the tournament in 2008 alongside the Maldives.

The SAFF Championship is widely regarded as the “World Cup of South Asia,” bringing together the best footballing nations from the region. The 2025 edition will feature seven teams:

India (Defending champions and most successful team)
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Maldives
Nepal
Sri Lanka (Host nation)

With the backing of home supporters, Sri Lanka will look to capitalize on this opportunity and aim for a deep run in the competition.

SAFF Championship: A Look at Past Editions and Winners

The SAFF Championship, first held in 1993, has seen 14 editions so far. India has been the most dominant team in the tournament’s history, winning a record 9 titles. The Maldives and Bangladesh have each won the tournament twice, while Sri Lanka claimed their only title in 1995, when they hosted the event in Colombo.

Here is a look at the past winners:

India – 9 titles (1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2021, 2023)
Maldives – 2 titles (2008, 2018)
Bangladesh – 2 titles (2003, 2023)
Sri Lanka – 1 title (1995)

Sri Lanka’s return as the host nation in 2025 gives them a golden opportunity to reclaim the championship after 30 years.

If executed well, the 2025 SAFF Championship could mark the beginning of a new era for Sri Lankan football, helping the nation rise again in South Asian football.

Can Sri Lanka make the most of this historic opportunity? The countdown to SAFF 2025 begins!