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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)

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Sri Lankan Bodybuilder Suminda Chamara Idangoda Achieves International Recognition in Canada

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Sri Lankan bodybuilder Suminda Chamara Idangoda has earned notable success on the international bodybuilding stage, showcasing remarkable dedication and perseverance under challenging circumstances.

Competing at the Jim Morris Legacy Cup held in Canada on April 12, 2025, Idangoda secured third place in both the Masters category and the Light Heavyweight division. His preparation for this event involved a three-month training program under the guidance of his coach, Rizan Azoor, with whom he maintained remote training sessions while moving between Sri Lanka and Canada.

Just weeks later, on May 4, 2025, he competed at the Mindio Show, once again in the Light Heavyweight category. Despite having only 18 days to prepare, he went on to win two gold medals. His coach provided detailed and intensive training support throughout the short preparation period.

Idangoda’s path to success was not without obstacles. He faced financial difficulties and career uncertainty while preparing for the events. He even had to drive over 400 kilometers alone to attend the competitions and spent the night in his car due to a lack of accommodation funds. Despite these hardships, he remained focused and committed to his goal.

These victories have now qualified him to participate in NPC (National Physique Committee) bodybuilding competitions, a major milestone in his career.

Idangoda also expressed his appreciation to those who offered support during his time in Canada.

This achievement stands as a testament to his dedication to the sport and the growing presence of Sri Lankan athletes in international bodybuilding competitions.

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Football

Sri Lanka U19 Football Collapse Exposes Deep Flaws in FFSL’s Youth Development and Governance

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Sri Lanka’s humiliating 13-goal downfall in just two matches at the SAFF U19 Championship 2025 has laid bare the critical failures in preparation, technical development, and governance by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL).

After suffering an 8-0 loss to India and a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Nepal, Sri Lanka crashed out of the tournament without scoring a single goal — a result symptomatic of a poorly planned campaign lacking any strategic foresight.

Despite knowing the SAFF U19 tournament would kick off on May 9, FFSL conducted the final player trials only on March 27, 28, and 29 — giving just over a month for squad selection, tactical preparation, and conditioning. To make matters worse, the team departed for India on May 7, leaving no room for acclimatization or final preparations.

Rather than conducting a proper youth tournament to identify the best talent across the country, FFSL relied solely on trials — a flawed approach that fails to account for the natural ups and downs in player performance. One poor day at trials could cost a talented youngster his chance, while truly elite players may never even get scouted.

Adding further concern was the decision to include Sri Lankan-origin players directly into the starting XI without proper assessments or integration into the team structure. This move, seen by many as superficial, was akin to placing icing on a cake that was never baked.

Despite grand public claims, FFSL’s much-hyped “Y19 Tournament” in collaboration with Lyca Gnanam Foundation turned out to be nothing more than a media stunt. No such competition materialized on the ground, leaving local youth players without the competitive platform they were promised.

This is not only a technical failure but a complete collapse in administrative responsibility. The lack of grassroots planning, long-term youth development frameworks, and regional scouting shows FFSL’s hollow commitment to actual football development.

Even more alarming are the disciplinary concerns, with reports emerging that the U19 head coach physically assaulted five players at the team hotel — if it is ture, a severe breach of professional conduct that demands immediate investigation and accountability.

The blame cannot rest solely on the President of FFSL. The 2023 election saw three influential football administrative figures unite to secure victory. Yet, in the face of this collapse, only the President faces criticism, while the others remain conveniently silent.

It is clear: playing international matches alone won’t develop football. What Sri Lanka needs is a structured, grassroots-driven technical program — not public relations campaigns or shortcuts.

Unless FFSL reforms its approach to youth development, embraces merit-based talent identification, and ensures accountability at all levels, Sri Lankan football will continue to languish in mediocrity, both regionally and globally.

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Football

Sri Lanka U19 Football Team Crashes Out of SAFF Championship with Embarrassing Defeats

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Sri Lanka’s U19 football team suffered a humiliating exit from the SAFF U19 Championship 2025 after being routed 5-0 by Nepal in their second group stage match, just days after a crushing 8-0 defeat against India. With 13 goals conceded in two matches and none scored, the team’s dismal campaign has raised serious concerns over the Football Federation of Sri Lanka’s (FFSL) preparation and technical planning.

Goals Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ZXQmc7qJL

The back-to-back heavy losses reflect more than just poor on-field performance — they expose a deeper structural failure in Sri Lanka’s football development system. The decision to hurriedly assemble the squad and include overseas-based Sri Lankan-origin players may have been well-intentioned, but it turned out to be a superficial fix — akin to placing icing on an unbaked cake.

Despite individual talent and moments of athleticism, the team lacked cohesion, tactical discipline, and fitness — a direct result of inadequate preparation and the absence of a proper long-term youth development strategy.

This tournament has made it abundantly clear that international match exposure alone cannot bridge the technical and developmental gaps in Sri Lankan football. Grassroots investment, school-level competitions, proper coaching structures, and continuous player development pathways are urgently needed if Sri Lanka is to be competitive at regional or international levels.

It is time the FFSL technical department, its President, and Executive Committee move beyond media optics and press conferences and instead focus on real football development. Structural reforms, professional planning, and technical consistency must replace ad-hoc preparations and cosmetic fixes.

Sri Lanka’s early exit should serve as a wake-up call: the future of Sri Lankan football depends not on imported talent but on nurturing homegrown players through sustained and systematic development.

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