News
Polonnaruwa Royal College under 16 stickers emerges Joint Champs
M.H. Yakeem
In the History of the sport of Hockey, an All Island Boys/Girls under 16 Hockey tournament was held for the first time in Polonnaruwa, which was hosted by Royal College Polonnaruwa under the direction of the Sports Minister, Roshan Ranasinghe.
At this first ever Hockey tournament, the host Royal College Polonnaruwa competing in the “C” division at this championship 2023, emerged as Joint Champions with Maris Stella College, Thimbirigaskatuwa. This was an initiative taken by the Sri-Lanka Schools Hockey Association, under the guidance of the Ministry of Education to promote the Sport in Polonnaruwa, which was held at the Royal College ground, Polonnaruwa from the 29th of October to the 01st of November 2023.
The Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, who is also an Old Boy of Royal College Polonnaruwa, played an instrumental role in getting this tournament to be staged in Polonnaruwa and the Principal, Ravilal Wijewansa giving his fullest support and cooperation along with the Vice Principal, Manjula Undugoda and MIC Dinesh Rathnayake made all arrangements to host this first-ever tournament in Polonnaruwa. Sports Minister, Roshan Ranasinghe, who was very keen to have this tournament In Polonnaruwa was the Chief Guest, who graced this wonderful occasion.
Royal College Polonnaruwa, in their league matches played, won against Harischandra Vidyalaya Gampaha and Upananda Vidyalaya Galle, and drew with Kengalla Vidyalaya. In the semi-final, they beat Girandurukotte National School on penalty strokes 2/1, and in the final, they drew against Maris Stella College, Thinbirigaskatuwa to emerge as Joint Champs. All credit has to go to the Coach, Dhammika Abeyrathne, an ex-National Hockey player from Christ Church College Matale, who represented Sri Lanka from 1997 to 2010 and had the distinction of Captaining the National team in 2010 at the SAF games. As he is now residing in Polonnaruwa, it will be an asset to develop the game in Polonnaruwa.
The team comprises Achiru Yapa Kavisha Costa, Anuhas Amaraweera, Reshan Mayantha, Dineth Nirupama, Dineth Gankewela, Ashith Navodha, Bosura Seneviratne, Damhiru Kasthuriarachchi, Keshan Perera, Nagana Dineth, Akidu Anujitha, Hasaral Chandika, Hirun Gamitha, R.kodithuwakku, Theekshana Navarathne, Thinura Thulitha, D. Kumarasinghe A. Navarathne, Leethicha
Caption
1 – The Royal College Polonnaruwa under 16 winning stickers with Sports Minister, Roshan Ranasinghe, Principal Ravilal Wijewansa, and other officials.

2 – Coach Dammika Abeurathne, guided the team to emerge as Joint Champs at this first-ever tournament.

Cricket
Sri Lanka Cricket Denies Financial Crisis Claims Amid Transformation Committee Appointment
Sri Lanka Cricket has firmly rejected recent media reports claiming that the organization is facing a financial crisis following the appointment of the Cricket Transformation Committee, stating that such allegations are “entirely false and misleading.”
In an official clarification, SLC emphasized that the Cricket Transformation Committee was appointed by the Hon. Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs under the powers granted by Sections 32 and 33 of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973, as amended.
According to SLC, once an order is issued under Section 32 of the Sports Law, the powers, administration, management, and control of the affairs and assets of the relevant sports body are legally transferred to the committee appointed by the Minister.
The organization further noted that the duly appointed Transformation Committee is fully authorized to oversee and manage all affairs of Sri Lanka Cricket, including its financial operations and obligations, until a new Executive Committee is elected.
SLC also pointed out that the appointment of the committee has already been officially published in the Government Gazette, thereby granting it full legal authority to act on behalf of the organization in all administrative and financial matters.
Rejecting claims of financial instability, Sri Lanka Cricket reiterated that its operations continue without disruption. The organization stated that all day-to-day activities, including financial and administrative functions, are proceeding smoothly under the supervision of the Transformation Committee.
SLC further assured stakeholders that all payments to suppliers, service providers, employees, players, and other parties continue to be settled on time, with no interruption to the organization’s commitments.
The statement was issued in response to growing speculation in sections of the media regarding the financial status of Sri Lanka Cricket after the recent administrative changes.
Cricket
Sri Lanka, India to Clash in Two-Test Series in August
Sri Lanka and India are set to play a two-match Test series between August 15 and 27 as part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Although the official schedule is yet to be announced, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reserved a two-week window for the series following the conclusion of the Lanka Premier League on August 9. Discussions between SLC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are continuing to finalise the venues and match dates.
The proposed tour was initially expected to include three Twenty20 Internationals as well, but there has been no confirmation regarding those matches. The T20 games were originally planned as a fundraising initiative for victims affected by Cyclone Ditwah last year.
Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia is currently in Sri Lanka as part of an International Cricket Council delegation reviewing recent developments in Sri Lanka Cricket administration. The Sri Lankan government recently dissolved the previous SLC body and appointed an interim Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee.
Cricket scheduling remains challenging for India due to a packed international calendar later this year. India are expected to tour Bangladesh in September for a white-ball series, although the tour is still uncertain after being postponed previously because of political tensions between the two nations.
India also have commitments against West Indies and Afghanistan later in the year, along with the Asian Games in Nagoya scheduled from September 9 to October 4.
India’s international season resumes in June with a Test series against Afghanistan before tours of Ireland, England and Zimbabwe.
Cricket
ICC Delegation Holds Key Talks With President on Cricket Reforms
Senior representatives of the International Cricket Council (ICC) met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo yesterday as discussions intensified over the future of cricket administration in Sri Lanka.
The ICC delegation, which includes Imran Khwaja and Devajit Sakia, is currently in the country following recent changes within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Their visit comes amid growing attention on governance reforms and the restructuring of the national cricket administration.
During their stay, ICC officials also held meetings with members of the newly appointed SLC administration at the board’s headquarters, where discussions focused on restoring stability and strengthening the management framework of Sri Lankan cricket.
The latest developments follow the appointment of a nine-member Cricket Transformation Committee by Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage after the resignation of the previous SLC leadership.
The committee, chaired by Eran Wickremaratne, has been entrusted with overseeing the administration of the sport and implementing a series of reforms until new elections are conducted.
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