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Nishan Madushka’s ton, Dilshan Madushanka’s four-fer help Sri Lanka level series 1-1.

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South Africa ‘A’ tour of Sri Lanka 2023

Opener Nishan Madushka hit a match-winning century while spearhead Dilshan Madushanka picked up a four-fer to help Sri Lanka outplay South Africa ‘A’ by 7 wickets and level the series 1-1.

Surprisingly both match winners Nishan Madushka and Dilshan Madushanka have been overlooked by the selectors for the ongoing Afghanistan series and hopefully, after their top performance, the selectors will keep a close eye on the duo before they finalize their squad for the upcoming world cup qualifiers in June-July in Zimbabwe.

Earlier winning the toss and electing to bat first in a humid day at Pallekele international cricket stadium the visitors didn’t have the best of starts as they were struggling right from the first ball to be bowled out for 176 runs eventually.

None of the batters were comfortable in the middle, especially against Dilshan Madushanka, who was all over the South Africa batting order.

Madushanka ripped through the South Africa top batting lineup to end with figures of 4 for 33.

At one stage it looked like the Proteas would be unable to go past at least the 100-run mark, as they were struggling at 7-42, but a 111-run partnership for the 8th wicket between Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee saw the innings revived where they went onto score 175 runs.

When the chips were down low order batter Coetzee top scored with a brilliant 89 ball 77 runs while Stubbs chipped in with 59 runs.

In reply, Sri Lanka achieved the target in just 29 overs thanks to
Nishan Madushka’s watchful 107 runs off 85 deliveries, including 13 boundaries and two sixes.

Madushka along with all-rounder Sahan Arachchige were engaged in a match-winning 104-run partnership for the 4th wicket to seal the match for the Lankan lads. Arachchige also scored an unbeaten half-century.

The two sides will next meet on Thursday (8) to play the third and final match at the same venue.

Brief Scores:
South Africa A: 175 all out (43.2) (Gerald Coetzee 77, Tristan Stubbs 59, Dilshan Madushanka 4/33)
Sri Lanka A: 178-3 (29) (Nishan Madushka 107, Sahan Arachchige 50, Lizaad Williams 1/25, Tshepo Moreki 1/25)

දකුණු අප්‍රිකා ‘ඒ’ හා ශ්‍රී ලංකා සංචාරය 2023

නිශාන් මධුෂ්කගේ ශතකය හා ඩිල්ෂාන් මධුශංක කඩුළු හතර සමඟින් ශ්‍රී ලංකාව තරඟාවලිය 1-1ක් ලෙස සමකරයි.

ආරම්භක පිතිකරු නිශාන් මධුෂ්ක තරගයේ ජයග්‍රාහී ශතකයක් වාර්තා කළ අතර ඉදිරියෙන් සිටි ඩිල්ෂාන් මධුශංක කඩුළු හතරක් ලබා ගනිමින් දකුණු අප්‍රිකා ‘ඒ’ පිල කඩුලු 7කින් පරදවා තරගාවලිය 1-1ක් ලෙස සම කිරීමට ශ්‍රී ලංකා පිලට හැකි විය.

පුදුමයකට මෙන් තරඟ ජයග්‍රාහකයින් වන නිශාන් මධුෂ්ක සහ ඩිල්ෂාන් මධුශංක යන දෙදෙනාම දැනට පැවැත්වෙන ඇෆ්ගනිස්ථාන තරඟාවලිය සඳහා තේරීම් කමිටුව විසින් නොසලකා හැර ඇති අතර ඔවුන්ගේ මෙම දක්‍ෂතාවයෙන් පසුව එළඹෙන ජූනි – ජූලි හි සිම්බාබ්වේ හි පැවැත්වෙන ලෝක කුසලාන සුදුසුකම් ලැබීමේ තරඟ සඳහා ඔවුන්ගේ සංචිතය අවසන් කිරීමට පෙර තේරීම් කමිටුව ඔවුන් දෙදෙනා කෙරෙහි දැඩි අවධානයෙන් සිටිනු ඇතැයි අපේක්ෂා කෙරේ.

පල්ලෙකැලේ ජාත්‍යන්තර ක්‍රිකට් ක්‍රීඩාංගණයේ පැවැති මෙම තරඟය කාසියේ වාසිය දිනා පළමුවෙන් පන්දුවට පහර දීමට පිටියට පිවිසි දකුණු අප්‍රිකානු කණ්ඩායමට නිසිලෙස ආරම්භය නොලැබීම හේතුවෙන් අවසානයේදි ඔවුන් ලකුණු 176කට දැවී ගියහ.

විශේෂයෙන්ම දකුණු අප්‍රිකානු මැදපෙළ පිතිකරුවන්ට තරඟය පුරාවටම ඩිල්ෂාන් මධුශංකට එරෙහිව රිසි සේ ක්‍රීඩාකිරීමට අවකාශයක් නොලැබුණි. එහිදී, මධුශංක ලකුණු 33කට කඩුලු 4ක් ලබා ගනිමින් දකුණු අප්‍රිකාවේ පිතිකරණ ලැයිස්තුව බිඳ දැමූවේය.

දකුණු අප්‍රිකානු කණ්ඩායමට ලකුණු 7-42ක් ලෙස අසීරු තත්ත්වයක සිටි මොහොතකදි ට්‍රිස්ටන් ස්ටබ්ස් සහ ජෙරල්ඩ් කොට්සි අතර 8 වැනි කඩුල්ල සඳහා ලකුණු 111ක සබඳතාවක් ගොඩනැගුණු අතර එහිදී ඉනිම යළි ගොඩනැගුනද ඔවුන් අවසානයේ ලකුණු 175කට දැවී ගියහ.

පන්දු 89කින් ලකුණු 77ක් රැස්කළ අතර, අවසන් පෙළ පිතිකරු Coetzee ලකුණු 77ක් රැස් කළ අතර ස්ටබ්ස් ලකුණු 59ක් රැස් කළේය.

පිළිතුරු ඉනිම ක්‍රීඩා කළ ශ්‍රී ලංකා කණ්ඩායම පන්දුවාර 29කදී එම ඉලක්කය සපුරා ගැනීමට සමත් වූ අතර නිශාන් මධුෂ්ක පන්දු 85කදී හතරේ පහර 13ක් සහ හයේ පහර 2ක් සමඟින් ලකුණු 107ක් රැස් කළේය.

මධුෂ්ක සහ තුන් ඉරියව් ක්‍රීඩක සහන් ආරච්චිගේ 4 වැනි කඩුල්ලට ලකුණු 104ක සබඳතාවක් පවත්වමින් ශ්‍රී ලංකාව වෙනුවෙන් තරගයේ ජය තහවුරු කළහ. ආරච්චිගේ නොදැවී අර්ධ ශතකයක් ද රැස් කළේය.

දෙපිලම මීළඟට බ්‍රහස්පතින්දා (8) තුන්වැනි සහ අවසන් තරගය එකම ක්‍රීඩාංගණයේදීම ක්‍රීඩා කිරීමට නියමිතය.

දකුණු අප්‍රිකාව A: සියලු දෙනා දැවී 175 (43.2) (ජෙරල්ඩ් කෝට්සි 77, ට්‍රිස්ටන් ස්ටබ්ස් 59, ඩිල්ෂාන් මධුශංක 4/33)
ශ්‍රී ලංකා ඒ: 178-3 (29) (නිෂාන් මධුෂ්ක 107, සහන් ආරච්චිගේ 50, ලිසාඩ් විලියම්ස් 1/25, ෂෙපෝ මොරෙකි 1/25)

நிஷான் மதுஷ்கவின் சதம் மற்றும் டில்ஷான் மதுஷங்கவின் நான்கு விக்கெட்டுகளால் இலங்கை அணி தொடரை 1-1 என சமன் செய்தது.

தொடக்க ஆட்டக்காரர் நிஷான் மதுஷ்கா ஆட்டத்தை வென்ற சதம் மற்றும் முன்னணி தில்ஷான் மதுஷங்க நான்கு விக்கெட்டுகளை வீழ்த்த, இலங்கை தென்னாப்பிரிக்கா ‘ஏ’ அணியை 7 விக்கெட் வித்தியாசத்தில் தோற்கடித்து தொடரை 1-1 என சமன் செய்தது.

வியக்கத்தக்க வகையில் மேட்ச்-வின்னர்களான நிஷான் மதுஷ்கா மற்றும் தில்ஷான் மதுஷங்க இருவரும் தற்போது நடைபெற்று வரும் ஆப்கானிஸ்தான் தொடருக்கான தேர்வாளர்களால் புறக்கணிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர், மேலும் அவர்களின் செயல்திறனைத் தொடர்ந்து ஜூன்-ஜூலை ஜிம்பாப்வேயில் நடைபெறவுள்ள உலகக் கோப்பை தகுதிச் சுற்றுக்கான அணியை இறுதி செய்வதற்கு முன்பு தேர்வாளர்கள் அவர்களை நீக்கியுள்ளனர். நெருக்கமாக கண்காணிக்க வேண்டும்.

பல்லேகல சர்வதேச கிரிக்கெட் மைதானத்தில் நடைபெற்ற இப்போட்டியில், நாணய சுழற்சியில் வென்ற தென்னாபிரிக்க அணி முதலில் துடுப்பெடுத்தாட களம் இறங்கியது.

குறிப்பாக தென்னாபிரிக்க மிடில் ஆர்டர் பேட்ஸ்மேன்களுக்கு போட்டி முழுவதும் தில்ஷான் மதுஷங்கவுக்கு எதிராக அவர்கள் விரும்பிய அளவுக்கு விளையாட இடம் கொடுக்கப்படவில்லை. அங்கு, மதுஷங்க 33 ரன்களுக்கு 4 விக்கெட்டுகளுடன் தென்னாப்பிரிக்காவின் பேட்டிங் தரவரிசையை தகர்த்தார்.

தென்னாப்பிரிக்க அணி 7-42 என்ற நிலையில் திணறிக் கொண்டிருந்த நேரத்தில் டிரிஸ்டன் ஸ்டப்ஸ் மற்றும் ஜெரால்ட் கோட்ஸி ஜோடி 8வது விக்கெட்டுக்கு 111 ரன்கள் சேர்த்தனர்.

89 பந்துகளில் 77 ரன்கள், கடைசி பேட்ஸ்மேன் கோட்ஸி 77 ரன்கள் மற்றும் ஸ்டப்ஸ் 59 ரன்கள் எடுத்தனர்.

பதிலுக்கு துடுப்பெடுத்தாடிய இலங்கை அணி 29 ஓவர்களில் வெற்றி இலக்கை எட்டியதுடன் நிஷான் மதுஷ்க 85 பந்துகளில் 13 பவுண்டரிகள் 2 சிக்ஸர்களுடன் 107 ஓட்டங்களைப் பெற்றார்.

மதுஷ்கா மற்றும் சஹான் ஆராச்சியின் 4வது விக்கெட்டுக்கு 104 ரன்கள் குவித்தது இலங்கையின் வெற்றியை உறுதி செய்தது. ஆராச்சிகே ஆட்டமிழக்காமல் அரைசதம் அடித்தார்.

இரு அணிகளும் வியாழக்கிழமை (8) அதே மைதானத்தில் மூன்றாவது மற்றும் கடைசி ஆட்டத்தில் விளையாடுகின்றன.

தென்னாப்பிரிக்கா ஏ: 175 ஆல் அவுட் (43.2) (ஜெரால்ட் கோட்ஸி 77, டிரிஸ்டன் ஸ்டப்ஸ் 59, தில்ஷன் மதுஷங்க 4/33)
இலங்கை ஏ: 178-3 (29) (நிஷான் மதுஷ்கா 107, சஹான் ஆராச்சிகே 50, லிசார்ட் வில்லியம்ஸ் 1/25, ஷெப்போ மோரேகி 1/25)

Football

Sri Lanka U20 Women’s Football Hits Rock Bottom at SAFF Championship Amid Continued National-Level Crisis

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The Sri Lanka U20 Women’s Team endured a disappointing campaign at the SAFF U20 Women’s Championship 2025, suffering two heavy defeats with one group match left to play. In their opening encounter, Sri Lanka was thrashed 9 -1 by Bangladesh, followed by a 5-0 loss against Bhutan, indicating a deeper crisis in the country’s women’s football structure.

These back-to-back losses highlight the grim state of the women’s football program, especially when placed alongside the senior team’s exit from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers earlier this year without a single win. This trend reflects not just a lack of preparation, but an institutional failure to establish a developmental pipeline or strategic plan.

What’s even more concerning is the absence of visible recovery mechanisms from the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL). Instead of addressing systemic issues—such as lack of coaching standards, insufficient grassroots investment, and poor player welfare—key decision-makers appear more focused on the upcoming FFSL elections. Behind-the-scenes politics continue to stall any meaningful progress in women’s football development.

Despite the promising young talent in Sri Lanka, the gap in fitness, tactical training, and match readiness compared to regional rivals is growing wider. Without immediate technical reforms and leadership that prioritizes performance over politics, the future of women’s football in the country remains uncertain.

With one more match against a strong Nepal side, the prospects of a comeback look bleak, unless there is a radical shift in how the game is managed from the ground up.

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News

South Asian Karate Championship 2025: India and Sri Lanka Shine as Karate Celebrates 50 Years in Sri Lanka

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Colombo, July 5–6, 2025 – The 9th South Asian Karate Championship and the 1st South Asian Youth Karate Championship successfully concluded at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, marking a landmark moment in Sri Lanka’s martial arts history as the nation celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Karate Federation.

This prestigious two-day event was jointly organized by the South Asian Karate Federation and the Sri Lanka Karate Federation, which is registered under the Ministry of Sports as one of the seven official sports federations in the country.

Day 1 (July 5) – Youth Championship Dominated by India and Sri Lanka

The opening day featured intense youth-level competition with over 700 athletes from seven South Asian nationsSri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives – competing in age categories below 14.

🥇 Youth Medal Standings (U-14 Category):

  • India – 22 Medals (1st Place)
  • Nepal – 20 Medals (2nd Place)
  • Sri Lanka – 10 Medals (3rd Place)

📺 Watch Day 1 Highlights:

Final Day (July 6) – Sri Lanka Takes Youth Title, India Clinches Senior Crown

The second day of the tournament featured both senior and youth finals. In a historic achievement, Sri Lanka emerged champions in the Youth Division, while India secured the Senior Team Championship, continuing their regional dominance.

Final Team Standings:

  • Senior Category:
    • 🥇 India (Champions)
    • 🥈 Nepal (Runners-up)
    • 🥉 Sri Lanka (Third Place)
  • Youth Category:
    • 🥇 Sri Lanka (Champions)
    • 🥈 India (Runners-up)
    • 🥉 Nepal (Third Place)

Watch Final Day Highlights:

Special Guests & Recognition

The event was graced by His Excellency Akio Isomata, the Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, who attended as the Chief Guest, acknowledging Sri Lanka’s long-standing contribution to the growth of karate in South Asia.

Also present was Bharat Sharma, President of the South Asian Karate Federation, who praised the standard of competition and Sri Lanka’s organizing excellence.

Karate in Sri Lanka – 50 Years of Legacy

This championship coincided with the 50th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Karate Federation, which has played a vital role in shaping karate talent nationally and internationally. With continued support from the Ministry of Sports, karate remains one of Sri Lanka’s fastest-growing combat sports.

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Football

Sri Lanka Women Finish Qualifiers with 0 Goals, 20 Conceded – Who Will Take Responsibility?

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Colombo, July 3 – Sri Lanka Women’s National Football Team wrapped up their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign with a third straight defeat — a 2-0 loss to Laos — confirming their position at the bottom of Group F, with 0 wins, 0 goals scored, and 18 conceded in just three games.

But beyond the scorelines lies a far more serious issue: a complete collapse of women’s football development in Sri Lanka. And this time, the blame does not lie on one individual — but on a system that has failed the sport, from top to bottom.

Match-by-Match Recap

Match 1: Sri Lanka 0 – 10 Uzbekistan

  • Possession: 30%
  • Shots on Target: 0
  • xG: 0.0 vs Uzbekistan’s 3.60
  • A game that exposed a lack of preparation, structure, and fitness from the very start.

Match 2: Sri Lanka 0 – 8 Nepal

  • Possession: 50%
  • Defensive errors gifted goals, including a hat-trick by Sabitra Bhandari.
  • xG: Nepal 3.76 vs Sri Lanka 0.60
  • Tactical breakdown: Midfield collapsed under pressure, backline failed to close space.

Match 3: Sri Lanka 0 – 2 Laos

  • Possession: 50%
  • Shots on Target: 5
  • xG: 2.56 (Laos) vs 1.08 (Sri Lanka)
  • A more balanced performance, but defensive lapses in the 73rd and 90+2 minutes led to defeat. Sri Lanka couldn’t convert chances despite their best game statistically.

Final Group Standings – Group F

TeamMPGFGAGDPoints
🇳🇵 Nepal2170+176
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan2170+176
🇱🇦 Laos2216-140
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka3020-200

Tactical Issues Across All Matches

  • No clear formation or transition play.
  • Lack of defensive coordination — players failed to track runners, especially on the flanks.
  • No attacking identity — only 1.08 xG across three games.
  • In-game management absent — few substitutions or tactical shifts despite being outplayed.

While public criticism often targets the President of the Football Federation, this decline in women’s football runs deeper:

Who Is Accountable? Not Just the President

Women’s Football Committee:

  • Failed to organize any domestic tournament in recent years.
  • Selected the squad via open trials, with no league performance data to back selections.
  • No consistent training camps or fitness programs.

Executive Committee:

  • Remains silent on the recurring failures.
  • No inquiries, reviews, or structural reforms have followed Sri Lanka’s repeated humiliations — including the U20 Women’s SAFF defeat earlier this year.

Technical & Development Staff:

  • No tactical framework or youth development.
  • No modern coaching methods or international exposure for players.

The Bigger Problem: Silence and Stagnation

Sri Lanka is not just losing matches — it’s losing direction. The current state of women’s football is not the result of one bad campaign. It’s the product of years of neglect, political appointments, and a failure to treat women’s football with equal priority.

Even now, there is no explanation from the Executive Committee on how the women’s team was prepared or what plans exist for recovery.

Time for a Reset, Not Excuses

If Sri Lanka is serious about competing in international football, the following must be addressed:

  • ✅ A national women’s league
  • ✅ Provincial and school-level competitions
  • ✅ Professional coaching staff and structured fitness programs
  • ✅ Regular international friendlies and camps
  • ✅ Transparent selection processes based on performance, not politics

🔚 Conclusion

Sri Lanka’s 2026 AFC campaign should not just be remembered for the scorelines — but as a call for change. It is time for every stakeholder — from the Women’s Committee to the Executive — to reflect, respond, and rebuild.

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