News
Royal regain the Rt. Hon D.S. Senanayake Memorial Shield
Royal College, Colombo registered a memorable 180-run win over S. Thomas’ College in the 144th ‘Battle of the Blues’ annual cricket encounter played for the Rt. Hon. D.S Senanayake Memorial Shield, which concluded on Saturday at the SSC Grounds, Colombo.
On day three the Royalists declared their overnight score setting a target of 342 runs, and in reply, the Thomians had no answers for the Royal dominance as they were bowled out for 161 runs to hand the Royalists a famous win.
The Thomian batters never looked comfortable in the second essay and none of their batters impressed apart from Senesh Hettiarachchi. He was the only batter to post a threat to the Royalists with a watchful 46 runs off 87 deliveries including 7 boundaries. Apart from him, none of the other batters was able to at least go past the 30-run mark.
Senesh and Charuka Peiris (22) looked to steady the Thomian innings at one stage in the chase, but their partnership was cut short when Peiris was bowled by spinner Ramiru Perera.
Adding salt to their wounds, Thomians was struck with a double blow when Akash Fernando walked back to the pavilion for a golden duck to make things worse for the boys from Mt. Lavinia.
With all recognized batters back in the pavilion, Thomians’ hope was all on Senesh Hettiarachchi’s shoulders, but the pressure was too much for him to handle as he was caught at short mid-wicket, and the Thomians were bowled out for 161, as Royal wrapped things up in style to regain the prestigious D.S. Senanayake Shield.
The Royal College bowling was spot on with Sineth Jayawardena, Ramiru Perera and Nethwin Dharmarathne sharing two wickets apiece, while Ranuka Malaviarachchi, Bulan Weerathunga, Sandesh Ramanayaka and Dasis Manchanayake picked up a wicket each.
Earlier, in the second innings, skipper Dasis Manchanayake once again came to the rescue with another quick-fire 57 in 49 balls to steady the Royals’ innings. He was once again well supported by Ramiru Perera who smashed an unbeaten 46 runs.
Brief scores:
Royal: 326-8 d and 168-4 d (Dasis Manchanayake 57, Ramiru Perera 46, Akash Fernando 4-59)
S. Thomas’: 153 and 161 all out (Senesh Hettiarachchi 46, Charuka Peiris 22, Sineth Jayawardena 2-14, Nethwin Dharmarathne 2-27, Ramiru Perera 2-25)
Individual Awards
Best Fielder – Uvindu Weerasekara (RC)
Best Bowler – Akash Fernando (STC)
Best Batter – Ramiru Perera (RC)
Player of the Match – Dasis Manchanayake (RC)
ගරු ඩී.එස්. සේනානායක අනුස්මරණ පලිහ රාජකීයන්ට යළි හිමිවේ
තෝමස් විද්යාලයට එරෙහිව කොළඹ රාජකීය විද්යාලය 144 වැනි ‘Battle of the Blues’ වාර්ෂික ක්රිකට් තරගයෙන් ලකුණු 180 ක අමතක නොවන ජයක් වාර්තා කළේය. ගරු. D.S සේනානායක අනුස්මරණ පළිහ සෙනසුරාදා කොළඹ SSC පිටියේදී අවසන් විය.
තුන්වන දිනයේදී රාජකීය ක්රීඩකයින් සිය එක්දින ලකුණු සංඛ්යාව ලකුණු 342ක ඉලක්කයක් ලෙස ප්රකාශයට පත් කළ අතර, පිළිතුරු ලෙස තෝමියානුවන් ලකුණු 161කට දැවී ගිය අතර රාජකීයයන්ට සුප්රසිද්ධ ජයග්රහණයක් ලබා දීමට තෝමියානුවන් සමත් විය.
තෝමියන් පිතිකරුවන් දෙවන රචනයේදී කිසිවිටෙක පහසු බවක් නොදැක්වූ අතර සෙනේෂ් හෙට්ටිආරච්චි හැරුණු විට ඔවුන්ගේ කිසිදු පිතිකරුවෙකුගේ සිත් ගත්තේ නැත. ඔහු පන්දු 87කදී හතරේ පහර 7ක් සමඟින් ලකුණු 46ක් ලබා ගනිමින් රාජකීයයන්ට තර්ජනයක් එල්ල කළ එකම පිතිකරුවා විය. ඔහු හැර සෙසු පිතිකරුවන් කිසිවකුට අඩුම තරමින් ලකුණු 30 සීමාව පසු කිරීමටවත් නොහැකි විය.
සෙනේෂ් සහ චාරුක පීරිස් (22) හඹා යාමේ එක් අවස්ථාවක තෝමියන් ඉනිම ස්ථාවර වනු ඇතැයි අපේක්ෂා කළ නමුත් පීරිස් දඟ පන්දු යවන රමිරු පෙරේරාගේ පන්දුවක් හමුවේ දැවී යාමත් සමඟ ඔවුන්ගේ සබඳතාව බිඳ වැටුණි.
ගල්කිස්සේ කොල්ලන්ට තත්ත්වය තවත් නරක අතට හැරීම සඳහා ආකාෂ් ප්රනාන්දු රන් තාරාවෙකු සඳහා නැවත මණ්ඩපය වෙත ඇවිද ගිය විට ඔවුන්ගේ තුවාලවලට ලුණු එකතු කරමින් තෝමියානුවන්ට ද්විත්ව පහරක් එල්ල විය.
පිලිගත් පිතිකරුවන් සියල්ලන්ම නැවතත් මණ්ඩපය වෙත පැමිණීමත් සමඟම තෝමියන්ස්ගේ බලාපොරොත්තුව සියල්ල සෙනේෂ් හෙට්ටිආරච්චිගේ උරහිස් මත රැඳුණු නමුත් ෂෝට් මිඩ් විකට් අතට උඩපන්දුවක් දෙමින් තෝමියානුවන් ලකුණු 161කට දැවී ගිය අතර රාජකීය ලෙසින් තෝමියානුවන් දැවී ගියේය. කීර්තිමත් D.S. සේනානායක පළිහ නැවත ලබා ගැනීම සඳහා දේවල් අලංකාර ලෙස ඔතා ඇත.
රාජකීය විද්යාලයේ පන්දු යැවීමේදී සිනෙත් ජයවර්ධන, රමිරු පෙරේරා සහ නෙත්වින් ධර්මරත්න කඩුලු 2 බැගින් බෙදී ගිය අතර රනුක මලවිආරච්චි, බුලාන් වීරතුංග, සන්දේශ් රාමනායක සහ දාසිස් මංචනායක කඩුල්ල බැගින් දවා ගත්හ.
මීට පෙර දෙවැනි ඉනිමේදී තවත් වේගවත් පිතිහරඹයක නිරත වූ නායක දාසිස් මංචනායක පන්දු 49කදී ලකුණු 57ක් රැස්කරමින් රාජකීය ඉනිමේ ස්ථාවර තත්ත්වයට පත් විය. ඔහුට නැවත වරක් හොඳ සහයක් ලබාදුන් රමිරු පෙරේරා නොදැවී ලකුණු 46ක් ලබා ගත්තේය.
කෙටි ලකුණු:
රාජකීය: 326-8 සහ 168-4 (දාසිස් මංචනායක 57, රමිරු පෙරේරා 46, ආකාෂ් ප්රනාන්දු 4-59)
එස්. තෝමස්: සියලු දෙනා දැවී 153 සහ 161 (සෙනේෂ් හෙට්ටිආරච්චි 46, චාරුක පීරිස් 22, සිනෙත් ජයවර්ධන 2-14, නෙත්වින් ධර්මරත්න 2-27, රමිරු පෙරේරා 2-25)
තනි පුද්ගල සම්මාන
හොඳම පන්දු රකින්නා – උවිඳු වීරසේකර (RC)
හොඳම පන්දු යවන්නා – ආකාෂ් ප්රනාන්දු (STC)
හොඳම පිතිකරු – රමිරු පෙරේරා (RC)
තරගයේ වීරයා – දසිස් මංචනායක (RC)
கெளரவ டி.எஸ். சேனாநாயக்க நினைவுக் கேடயத்தை ரோயல் மீண்டும் கைப்பற்றியது
Rt அணிக்காக விளையாடிய 144வது ‘Battle of the Blues’ வருடாந்த கிரிக்கெட் போட்டியில், கொழும்பு ரோயல் கல்லூரி, S. Thomas’ கல்லூரிக்கு எதிராக 180 ரன்கள் வித்தியாசத்தில் மறக்கமுடியாத வெற்றியைப் பதிவு செய்தது. கௌரவ. D.S சேனநாயக்க ஞாபகார்த்த கேடயம், கொழும்பு SSC மைதானத்தில் சனிக்கிழமை நிறைவு பெற்றது.
மூன்றாவது நாளில், ராயல்ஸ்டுகள் தங்கள் ஓவர்நைட் ஸ்கோரை 342 ரன்களை இலக்காக நிர்ணயித்ததாக அறிவித்தனர், பதிலுக்கு, தோமியன்ஸ் ராயல்ஸ்டுகளுக்கு ஒரு பிரபலமான வெற்றியை வழங்க 161 ரன்களுக்கு ஆட்டமிழந்ததால், ராயல் ஆதிக்கத்திற்கு எந்த பதிலும் இல்லை.
தோமியன் பேட்டர்கள் இரண்டாவது கட்டுரையில் ஒருபோதும் வசதியாகத் தோன்றவில்லை, செனேஷ் ஹெட்டியாராச்சியைத் தவிர அவர்களது பேட்ஸ் எவரும் ஈர்க்கவில்லை. 87 பந்துகளில் 7 பவுண்டரிகள் உட்பட 46 ரன்கள் எடுத்து ராயல்ஸ்டுகளுக்கு அச்சுறுத்தலாக இருந்த ஒரே பேட்டர் அவர்தான். இவரைத் தவிர மற்ற வீரர்களால் 30 ரன்களைக் கூட கடக்க முடியவில்லை.
செனேஷ் மற்றும் சாருக பீரிஸ் (22) துரத்தலில் ஒரு கட்டத்தில் தோமியன் இன்னிங்ஸை சீராகப் பார்த்தனர், ஆனால் பீரிஸ் சுழற்பந்து வீச்சாளர் ரமிரு பெரேராவின் பந்துவீச்சில் ஆட்டமிழந்ததால் அவர்களது பார்ட்னர்ஷிப் துண்டிக்கப்பட்டது.
அவர்களின் காயங்களுக்கு உப்பு சேர்த்து, ஆகாஷ் பெர்னாண்டோ மவுண்ட் லவீனியாவைச் சேர்ந்த சிறுவர்களை மோசமாக்குவதற்காக தங்க வாத்துக்காக பெவிலியனுக்கு திரும்பிச் சென்றபோது தோமியன்ஸ் இரட்டை அடியால் தாக்கப்பட்டார்.
அனைத்து அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்ட துடுப்பாட்ட வீரர்களும் பெவிலியனில் திரும்பிய நிலையில், தோமியன்ஸின் நம்பிக்கை அனைத்தும் செனேஷ் ஹெட்டியாராச்சியின் தோள்களில் இருந்தது, ஆனால் அவர் ஷார்ட் மிட் விக்கெட்டில் கேட்ச் ஆனதால், அவரைக் கையாள முடியாத அழுத்தம் அதிகமாக இருந்தது, மேலும் தோமியன்ஸ் 161 ரன்களுக்கு ஆட்டமிழந்தார். மதிப்புமிக்க டி.எஸ். சேனநாயக்க கேடயத்தை மீண்டும் பெறுவதற்கு பாணியில் விஷயங்களைச் சுற்றிக் கொண்டார்.
ரோயல் கல்லூரி பந்துவீச்சில் சினேத் ஜயவர்தன, ரமிரு பெரேரா மற்றும் நெத்வின் தர்மரத்ன ஆகியோர் தலா இரண்டு விக்கெட்டுகளையும், ரணுக மளவியராச்சி, புலன் வீரதுங்க, சந்தேஷ் ராமநாயக்க மற்றும் தாசிஸ் மஞ்சநாயக்க ஆகியோர் தலா ஒரு விக்கெட்டையும் கைப்பற்றினர்.
முன்னதாக, இரண்டாவது இன்னிங்ஸில், அணித்தலைவர் தாசிஸ் மஞ்சநாயக்க மீண்டும் 49 பந்துகளில் 57 ரன்களை எடுத்து நிலையான ராயல்ஸ் இன்னிங்ஸை மீட்டார். அவருக்கு மீண்டும் ஒருமுறை சிறந்த உறுதுணையாக இருந்த ரமிரு பெரேரா ஆட்டமிழக்காமல் 46 ரன்கள் எடுத்தார்.
சுருக்கமான மதிப்பெண்கள்:
ராயல்: 326-8 டி மற்றும் 168-4 டி (தாசிஸ் மஞ்சநாயக்க 57, ரமிரு பெரேரா 46, ஆகாஷ் பெர்னாண்டோ 4-59)
எஸ். தோமஸ்: 153 மற்றும் 161 ஆல் அவுட் (செனேஷ் ஹெட்டியாராச்சி 46, சாருகா பீரிஸ் 22, சினெத் ஜயவர்தன 2-14, நெத்வின் தர்மரத்னே 2-27, ரமிரு பெரேரா 2-25)
தனிப்பட்ட விருதுகள்
சிறந்த பீல்டர் – உவிந்து வீரசேகர (ஆர்சி)
சிறந்த பந்து வீச்சாளர் – ஆகாஷ் பெர்னாண்டோ (STC)
சிறந்த பேட்டர் – ரமிரு பெரேரா (ஆர்சி)
ஆட்ட நாயகன் – தாசிஸ் மஞ்சநாயக்க (RC)
News
BALL BLASTER 2026: SRI LANKA’S BIGGEST SCHOOL FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT RETURNS BIGGER THAN EVER
24 Schools, 15 Venues and Three National Trophies as Ball Blaster Enters Its Third Year
COLOMBO — Ball Blaster, Sri Lanka’s premier school football tournament, is set to return in 2026 with its biggest edition yet, organized by Aasgard Sports (Private) Limited in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Schools Football Association and the Ministry of Education.
Now entering its third year, Ball Blaster has grown from 2023 with 20 schools into one of the country’s largest youth football events. The 2025 edition featured 16 schools competing across four groups, drawing national broadcast attention through Sri Lankan Sports TV and PEO TV. For 2026, the tournament expands significantly, with 24 schools set to compete across 15 venues nationwide, in a season spanning six weeks and 84 matches.
A NEW FORMAT: THREE TROPHIES, THREE CHAMPIONS
The standout feature of Ball Blaster 2026 is a new three-tier trophy format. Schools will be drawn into four groups of six, playing a round-robin group stage before advancing into one of three parallel championships based on their group finish: the Cup Trophy for group winners, the Bowl Trophy for runners-up, and the Plate Trophy for second runners-up. The format ensures every participating school remains in contention for a national title deep into the tournament.
All three championships will reach their conclusion on the same finals weekend, with third-place playoffs and grand finals for the Cup, Bowl and Plate trophies all being played at Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.
“Ball Blaster has always been about giving young footballers a stage,” said a spokesperson for Aasgard Sports. “This year, we’re expanding that stage to every corner of the island, and making sure every school that takes part has something real to play for, right to the final whistle.”
BUILDING ON A STRONG 2025
Ball Blaster’s growth has been underpinned by strong sponsor support. The 2025 edition was backed by Lifebuoy as Title Sponsor, alongside Lemonade as Refreshing Partner and Sky Market Travels as Travelling Partner. Organizers say conversations are already underway with returning and new sponsors ahead of the 2026 season, as the tournament’s expanded scale — nationwide venues, a longer season and three separate finals — offers significantly greater visibility for partners.
BROADCAST AND COVERAGE
As in previous years, Ball Blaster 2026 will be broadcast live via Sri Lankan Sports TV and PEO Sports, with matches also available on YouTube and across Sri Lankan Sports TV’s digital platforms.
For sponsorship and partnership enquiries, contact: Pasindu Mihiranga Sri Lankan Sports TV | Aasgard Sports (Private) Limited 0726 85 18 18 marketing@srilankansportstv.com
www.srilankansportstv.com
Football
Jaswar Umar Hails FIFA Series as Turning Point for Sri Lankan Football
Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar has described the inaugural FIFA Series in Colombo as a major milestone for the country’s football development, saying the tournament has given Sri Lanka renewed confidence and a stronger connection with the international game.
Umar, who has been involved in efforts to strengthen Sri Lankan football administration and development, said hosting the tournament demonstrated that developing football nations could compete on the global stage when given meaningful opportunities.
The FIFA Series, held in Colombo in March 2024, brought Sri Lanka together with Bhutan, Papua New Guinea and the Central African Republic. The four participating nations represented three different confederations, giving Sri Lanka an unusual opportunity to face teams with different playing styles.
Sri Lanka completed its campaign unbeaten, drawing 0-0 against Papua New Guinea and defeating Bhutan 2-0. Umar said the matches provided valuable experience for the national team and helped players adapt to different forms of international competition.

He stressed that the benefits extended beyond the football field. Sri Lankan officials involved in administration, technical operations, media, medical services and event management gained practical experience in organising matches to international standards.
The Racecourse Ground also received an important upgrade through assistance from FIFA’s Forward Programme. The renovation enabled the historic Colombo venue to host international football and created improved facilities for future events.
Umar said one of the most important achievements was bringing international football closer to Sri Lankan supporters. Young fans were able to watch national players compete against foreign opposition in their own city, helping to inspire a new generation.
He thanked FIFA and its President Gianni Infantino for supporting developing football nations.
According to Umar, the FIFA Series has left Sri Lanka with more than match results. It has provided international experience, stronger administrative capabilities, improved infrastructure and, most importantly, renewed belief in the future of Sri Lankan football.
Cricket
Dulani’s sparkling century powers Sri Lanka to thrilling victory
Imesha Dulani stole the spotlight with a sensational unbeaten century as Sri Lanka Women chased down a formidable target of 177 to register a convincing six-wicket victory over Pakistan Women in the first T20I worked off at Dambulla international Stadium.
Pakistan looked set for victory after posting a competitive 176 for 7 in their 20 overs. Captain Muneeba Ali gave the innings early momentum with a fluent 42 off 24 balls, while Shawaal Zulfiqar anchored the innings superbly with a brilliant 63 from 41 deliveries, striking 10 fours and a six. Eman Naseer added a valuable 21, while Ayesha Zafar and Saira Jabeen played aggressive cameos in the closing overs to push Pakistan to an above-par total.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Kavisha Dilhari leading the way with two dismissals. Chamudi Praboda, Sugandika Kumari and Kawya Kavindi chipped in with one wicket apiece, while disciplined fielding produced two crucial run-outs.
The chase belonged entirely to Dulani, who delivered the innings of the match. Displaying confidence, composure and a wide range of attacking strokes, she remained unbeaten on 101 from just 64 balls, smashing 17 boundaries and a six. Her innings combined elegance with controlled aggression, ensuring Sri Lanka stayed ahead of the required rate throughout the chase.
Captain Chamari Athapaththu provided the ideal platform with a sparkling 39 off 22 balls, adding 78 for the opening wicket before Nashra Sandhu broke the partnership. Although Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals in the middle overs, Dulani remained firmly in control, rotating the strike effectively before accelerating when it mattered most.
Kavisha Dilhari contributed 11 valuable runs, while Nilakshika Silva remained unbeaten on nine as Sri Lanka reached 177 for 4 in 19 overs, sealing victory with six balls to spare.
Pakistan spinner Nashra Sandhu finished with two wickets, but she could do little to halt Dulani’s memorable knock.
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