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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

News

Strengthening Ties Through Sport: China Donates Five Dragon Boats to Sri Lanka

Published

15 hours ago

June 1, 2025

Editor

The People’s Republic of China has donated five dragon boats worth LKR 5 million to Sri Lanka, marking a significant step in promoting water sports across the island.

The donation was made during the China-Sri Lanka Friendship Dragon Boat Championship, organized by NACKSL – the National Association of Canoeing and Kayaking Sri Lanka, held on May 31 at the Diyawanna Rowing Center. The championship saw the participation of 25 teams from various regions of the country.

The event was graced by:

Minister of Youth and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamagedara
Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara
Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong

Trophies and certificates were awarded to the winning athletes, and the official handover of the dragon boats was completed at the same event.

A Symbol of Friendship and Cultural Exchange

Minister Gamagedara emphasized that the China-Sri Lanka Dragon Boat Championship, and the donation of dragon boats, symbolize the strong cultural, sporting, and diplomatic ties between the two nations. He extended his gratitude to the Chinese Embassy and stated that this generous gift would be instrumental in expanding and developing water sports across Sri Lanka.

“From North to South and East to West, we are committed to promoting water sports across the country,” said the Minister.

He further noted that this donation would help create pathways for Sri Lankan youth in canoeing, kayaking, and dragon boat racing, while also boosting sports tourism.

Celebrating Unity and National Inclusion

Special appreciation was extended to student participants from schools in Jaffna, highlighting the championship’s role in fostering national unity and showcasing the talent and commitment of young athletes from all regions.

The Deputy Minister also expressed hope that more youth with exceptional talent in water sports would be provided with sports scholarships in the future.

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Kusal Mendis Falls Short in High-Stakes IPL Eliminator Clash

Published

1 day ago

May 31, 2025

Editor

Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis failed to rise to the occasion during a crucial IPL 2025 Eliminator as Gujarat Titans fell short in their chase against Mumbai Indians at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in New Chandigarh.

Chasing a steep target of 229, Gujarat Titans needed early momentum. While opener Sai Sudharsan led the charge with a composed 80 off 49 deliveries, Kusal Mendis—expected to play a key supporting role—could not live up to expectations on this competitive stage.

Mendis, who had the platform to make an impact, started aggressively with two sixes in his 10-ball 20 but threw away his wicket in an uncharacteristic manner—getting out hit wicket to Mitchell Santner. In a high-pressure match where composure was vital, Mendis’s dismissal was a major setback for GT, stalling their momentum during a promising phase of the innings.

This was an opportunity for Mendis to demonstrate consistency and reliability at the highest level of franchise cricket, especially with the eyes of selectors and fans fixed on performances under pressure. However, the lack of game awareness and a reckless approach led to a soft exit at a crucial moment.

GT eventually managed 208/6, falling short by 20 runs. With Mendis’s early exit, the middle order was left exposed to the mounting run rate, and despite brief resistance from Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia, the chase fizzled out.

While Mendis has shown flashes of brilliance in previous matches, this performance serves as a reminder of the demands of knockout-stage cricket. With playoffs being the toughest test of mental and technical strength, Sri Lanka’s white-ball star must tighten his game to deliver when it matters most.

News

Awareness Media Briefing on New Sports Regulations

Published

2 days ago

May 30, 2025

Editor

A special media briefing on the new regulations under the Sports Act was held on May 30, 2025, at the Department of Government Information, with the aim of raising public awareness on the upcoming changes to Sri Lanka’s sports governance framework.

The event featured key officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, including:

Sunil Kumara Gamagedara – Minister of Youth and Sports
Sugath Thilakaratne – Deputy Minister of Sports
Aruna Bandara – Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports
Shemal Fernando – Director General of Sports
Priyantha Ekanayake – Chairman, National Sports Council

These leaders addressed the media on the impact, scope, and enforcement of the new regulations, highlighting their importance in ensuring transparency, accountability, and modernization in Sri Lanka’s sports sector.