News
Pathum Nissanka recalled to Sri Lanka squad to face Pakistan
Sri Lanka has recalled opening batter Pathum Nissanka to their Test squad which will face Pakistan in the two-match test series starting from Sunday (16).
Nissanka, who has played just three Tests for Sri Lanka, last featured in the format last year against Australia at home.
The 28-year-old has found a spot in the squad after having missed the country’s last two red-ball assignments.
Nissanka had a decent outing in the recently concluded World Cup qualifiers, where he smashed a couple of hundreds in Sri Lanka’s successful campaign.
Other notable inclusions are Praveen Jayawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka and Lakshitha Manasinghe.
Surprisingly spinner Lasith Embuldeniya, who didn’t get a game against Ireland recently at home, has been handed the axe. The likes of Asitha Fernando, Dushan Hemantha and Milan Priyanath Rathnayake have also been dropped from the squad that hammered Ireland 2-0 in the series in April.
Meanwhile, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne is likely to miss the first Test against Pakistan (though he is named in the squad) due to a hamstring injury. He will undergo fitness tests in Colombo over the next 48 hours, and if found unfit, will not travel to Galle for the match, which begins on 16 July.
If Karunaratne is unavailable, the team is likely to be led by vice-captain Dhananjaya de Silva.
Dimuth picked up the injury during the recently concluded World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
On the conclusion of the first Test, the two teams will travel to Colombo for the second Test at the SSC from 24 to 28 July.
Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Matthews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Vishwa Fernando, Lakshitha Manasinghe
News
Ceylon Masters Badminton Championships 2026 Entry Deadline Extended Until June 3
The Organizing Committee of the Ceylon Masters International Badminton Championships 2026 has announced an extension of the tournament entry deadline, giving players additional time to register for one of the region’s premier masters badminton events.
According to the organizers, the revised closing date for entries is June 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The extension is expected to provide greater flexibility for players who have yet to complete their registration process.

The championship is set to attract a large number of masters badminton players from around the world, who will converge in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for a highly competitive international tournament. The event has steadily grown in stature and is now regarded as a key fixture on the global masters badminton calendar.
Tournament officials have encouraged interested players to take advantage of the extended deadline and secure their participation before entries officially close. They emphasized that the championship offers competitors a valuable opportunity to test their skills against international opponents while experiencing Sri Lanka’s renowned hospitality and sporting culture.
With strong local and overseas interest already evident, organizers expect another successful edition of the tournament and have urged players not to miss the opportunity to be part of this exciting international badminton championship.
Cricket
Virat Kohli half-century and bowlers help RCB retain IPL title
Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their IPL crown with a composed five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final, powered by a masterful unbeaten 75 from Virat Kohli and a disciplined bowling performance.
After being asked to bat first, Gujarat Titans struggled to build momentum against a relentless RCB attack and were restricted to 155 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Titans lost both openers early as Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill inside the first four overs. Nishant Sindhu briefly resisted with 20, but wickets fell at regular intervals as RCB tightened their grip on the contest.
Washington Sundar stood firm amid the collapse, producing a fighting unbeaten 50 off 37 deliveries that featured five boundaries. However, he received little support from the middle order. Rasikh Salam emerged as the pick of the bowlers with impressive figures of 3 for 27, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood claimed two wickets apiece. Krunal Pandya also chipped in with a crucial scalp as Gujarat finished below a par total.
In reply, RCB got off to a flying start through Venkatesh Iyer, who blasted 32 from just 16 balls. Although the defending champions lost a few quick wickets in the middle overs, Kohli anchored the chase with another vintage innings under pressure.
The veteran star struck nine fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 75 off 42 balls, controlling the innings with a blend of aggression and composure. Rajat Patidar contributed 15, while Tim David added a valuable 24 before falling with the target in sight.
Kohli then guided RCB home alongside wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, who remained unbeaten on 11, as Bengaluru reached 161 for 5 in just 18 overs.
The victory secured back-to-back IPL titles for RCB and once again highlighted Kohli’s enduring class on the biggest stage.
Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans 155/8 in 20 overs (Washington Sundar 50; Rasikh Salam 3/27, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/29, Josh Hazlewood 2/37) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 161/5 in 18 overs (Virat Kohli 75, Venkatesh Iyer 32, Tim David 24; Rashid Khan 2/25) by five wickets.
Athletics
Tarushi Abisheka Wins Gold for Sri Lanka at Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships
Sri Lankan athlete Tarushi Abisheka secured a gold medal in the girls’ 1500m event at the Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships currently being held in Hong Kong on Thursday (May 28).
Abisheka delivered an impressive performance to finish first with a timing of 4 minutes and 31.41 seconds, bringing glory to Sri Lanka on the international stage.
Iran’s Maryam Baluoutaki claimed the silver medal, while South Korea’s Song Dawson finished in third place to secure the bronze.
The talented Sri Lankan middle-distance runner is also competing in the 800m event at the championship.
The Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships has attracted athletes from 40 countries, competing across 46 events.
Sri Lanka has fielded a 22-member contingent for the tournament, consisting of 15 male athletes and seven female athletes.
-
Football1 year agoSri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025: Super 8 Fixtures and Grouping
-
News1 year ago2025 Schools Rugby Season Set to Thrill Fans with Knockout and League Action
-
Cricket1 year agoNuwan Thushara Shines as RCB Storms into IPL 2025 Final
-
Cricket1 year agoSri Lanka’s Greatest Cricketers: Top Batters and Bowlers of All Time
-
Live5 years agoLive Broadcast of Syria vs Sri Lanka | AFC U23 Asian Championship Qualification
-
News1 year agoMajor Shake-Up in Sports Governance: New 2025 Regulations Reform National Sports Bodies in Sri Lanka
-
Football1 year agoFFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision
-
Football1 year agoSri Lanka Announces U19 Football Squad for SAFF Championship 2025

