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Sri Lanka fined by the Asian Football Confederation

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The Asian Football Confederation has decided to fine Sri Lanka $20,000 due to the last-minute cancellation of the Under-17 Asian Cup participation, which was scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan for the Sri Lanka Under-17 team.

The tournament was held in Uzbekistan from the 5th to the 9th of October, and Sri Lanka Under 17 team also started training to participate in it. However, when the sports minister cancelled the gazette to extend the suspension period of the sports association by one and a half months, all activities of the Sri Lanka Football Association came to a standstill. Due to this, the participation of the youth team had to be abandoned at the last moment.

The Sri Lankan team was scheduled to leave the island for this tournament on October 3rd, including 23 players and 05 officials. Their participation in this tournament was stopped at the last moment due to the non-allocation of relevant air tickets.

Although all arrangements were made for the tour to Uzbekistan, the tournament was missed due to the inability to get the necessary air tickets. The former heads of the Football Federation said that despite having the money needed to buy air tickets, they could not participate in this tournament due to the abolition of the authority to sign it in the Gazette.

Apart from this, the former president Mr Jaswar Umar says that there is political influence behind this and that some groups tried to disrupt this tournament by raising false allegations. He said Rodrigo was behind the plot. He said that if an international match ban is imposed, the responsibility will be given to Ranjith Rodrigo.

But in response to all this, Mr Ranjith Rodrigou has stated that the former president Mr Jaswar Umar should take full responsibility for this and that due to his short-sighted control and planning without proper management, the Sri Lankan team could not participate in this tournament. As Sri Lanka is on the brink of a ban by the World Football Confederation, Jaswar Umar should take responsibility for it, and Mr Umar has been informed about this situation through three letters from the World Football Confederation. Still, he has not paid attention to it and has made the situation more complicated. Rodrigo said.

The sports ministry says that the squad of players participating in the tournament should be forwarded to the ministry one month in advance. But it is also reported that the tournament was missed because the football administration at that time did not present the squad on time.

ආසියානු පාපන්දු සම්මේලනයෙන් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට දඩයක්

ශ්‍රී ලංකා යොවුන් 17 පහල කණ්ඩායම උස්බෙගිස්ථානයේ පැවැත්වීමට නියමිතව තිබූ 17 පහළ ආසියානු කුසලාන පලමු කොටසේ තරග සදහා පිටත්ව යාමට නියමිතව තිබූ නමුත් අවසන් මොහොතේ එය අවලංගු කිරීම හේතුවෙන් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට ඩොලර් 20 000 දඩයක් පැනවීමට ආසියානු පාපන්දු සම්මේලනය තීරණය කර ඇත.

මෙම තරගාවලිය ඔක්තෝබර් මස 5 වෙනිදා සිට 9 වෙනිදා දක්වා උස්බෙගිස්ථානයේදී පැවැත් වූ අතර, ශ්‍රී ලංකා 17 පහළ කණ්ඩායමද ඒ සදහා සහභාගී වීමට පුහුණුවීම් ආරම්භ කරන ලදී. කෙසේ වෙතත් ක්‍රීඩා අමාත්‍යවරයා ක්‍රීඩා සංගමයේ දුර කාලය මාස එකාහාමාරක් දීර්ඝ කර දීමේ ගැසට් පත්‍රය අවලංගු කර දීමත් සමග ශ්‍රී ලංකා පාපන්දු සංගමයේ සියලු කටයුතු ඇන හිටින ලදී. මේ හේතුවෙන් යොවුන් කණ්ඩායමේ සහභාගීත්වය අවසන් මොහොතේදී අත් හැර දමීමට සිදු විය.

ශ්‍රී ලංකා කණ්ඩායම මෙම තරගාවලිය සදහා දිවයිනින් පිටත්ව යාමට නියමිතව තිබුනේ ඔක්තෝබර් 3 වෙනිදා වූ අතර ඒ සදහා ක්‍රීඩකයින් 23 දෙනෙකු හා නිළධාරීන් 05 දෙනෙකු ඇතුළත් වේ. අදාල ගුවන් ටිකට් පත් වෙන් නොකිරීම හේතුවෙන් ඔවුන් හට මෙම තරගාවලියට සහභාගී වීම අවසාන මොහොතේ ඇණ හිටින ලදී.

උස්බෙගිස්ථාන තරග සංචාරය සදහා සියලු කටයුතු සංවිධානය කර තිබුනද, ඒ සදහා අවශ්‍ය ගුවන් ටිකට් පත් ලබා ගැනීමට නොහැකි වීම නිසා මෙම තරගාවලිය මග හැරී ඇත. ගුවන් ටිකට් පත් මිල දී ගැනීමට අවශ්‍ය මුදල් පැවතියද එයට අත්සන් කිරීමේ බලය ගැසට් පත්‍රය තුලින් අහෝසි වීම තුලින් මෙම තරගාවලියට සහභාගී වීමට නොහැකි වූ බව පාපන්දු සම්මේලනයේ හිටපු ප්‍රධානීන් පවසනු ලැබීය.

මීට අමතරව හිටපු සභාපති ජස්වර් උමර් මහතා පවසන්නේ මේ පිටුපස දේශපාලනික බලපෑමක් ඇති බවත් බොරු චෝදනා නගමින් මෙම තරගාවලිය කඩාකප්පල් කිරීමට යම් කණ්ඩායම් උත්සහ ගත් බවත් ඔහු පැවසීය. මෙම කුමන්ත්‍රණය පිටුපස රොඩ්‍රිගෝ සිටින බව ඔහු පැවසීය. යම් හෙයකින් ජාත්‍යන්තර තරග තහනමක් පැනවුවහොත් එහි වගකීම රංජිත් රොඩ්‍රිගෝ හට පැවරෙන බව ඔහු පැවසීය.

නමුත් මේ සියල්ලට පිළිතුරු දක්වමින් රංජිත් රොද්‍රිගූ මහතා ප්‍රකාශ කර සිටින්නේ මෙහි සම්පූර්ණ වගකීම හිටපු සභාපති ජස්වර් උමර් මහතා විසින් භාරගත යුතු බවත් ඔහුගේ අදූරදර්ශී පාලනය හා නිසි කළමාණකරනයකින් තොරව සැලසුම් සකස් කිරීම හේතුවෙන් මෙම තරගාවලියට ශ්‍රී ලංකා කණ්ඩායමට සහභාගී වීමට නොහැකි වූ බවයි. ශ්‍රී ලංකාව ලෝක පාපන්දු සම්මේලනයේ තහනමක අභියස සිටින බැවින් එහි වගකීම ගත යුත්තේද ජස්වර් උමර් විසින් බව පවසන අතර, උමර් මහතා හට ලෝක පාපන්දු සම්මේලනය විසින් ලිපි තුනක් මාර්ගයෙන් මෙම නිළවරණය පිළිබදව දැනුවත් කොට ඇතත් ඔහු ඒ පිළිබදව අවදානය යොමු නොකර මෙම තත්වය වඩාත් සංකීර්ණතවයට පියවර ගෙන ඇති බව රොද්‍රිගූ මහතා පැවසීය.

ක්‍රීඩා අමාත්‍යංශය පවසන්නේ තරගාවලියට සහභාගී වන ක්‍රීඩක සංචිතය මාසකයක පෙර අමාත්‍යංශය වෙත යොමු කල යුතු බවය. නමුත් එවකට පැවති පාපන්දු පරිපාලනය එම සංචිතය නියමිත වේලාවට ඉදිරිපත් නොකිරීම නිසා මෙම තරගාවලිය මග හැරී ඇති බවටද වාර්ථා වේ.

இலங்கைக்கு ஆசிய கால்பந்து கூட்டமைப்பு அபராதம் விதித்துள்ளது

இலங்கை 17 வயதுக்குட்பட்ட அணிக்காக உஸ்பெகிஸ்தானில் நடைபெறவிருந்த 17 வயதுக்குட்பட்ட ஆசியக் கிண்ணப் போட்டிகள் இறுதி நிமிடத்தில் இரத்துச் செய்யப்பட்டமையினால் இலங்கைக்கு 20,000 டொலர் அபராதம் விதிக்க ஆசிய கால்பந்து கூட்டமைப்பு தீர்மானித்துள்ளது.

உஸ்பெகிஸ்தானில் கடந்த ஒக்டோபர் மாதம் 5ஆம் திகதி முதல் 9ஆம் திகதி வரை இந்தப் போட்டிகள் இடம்பெற்றதுடன், இலங்கை 17 வயதுக்குட்பட்ட அணியும் இதில் பங்குபற்றுவதற்கான பயிற்சிகளை ஆரம்பித்தது. எவ்வாறாயினும், விளையாட்டுச் சங்கத்தின் இடைநிறுத்த காலத்தை ஒன்றரை மாதங்களுக்கு நீடிப்பதற்கான வர்த்தமானியை விளையாட்டு அமைச்சர் ரத்து செய்ததால், இலங்கை கால்பந்து சம்மேளனத்தின் அனைத்து நடவடிக்கைகளும் ஸ்தம்பிதம் அடைந்தன. இதன் காரணமாக இளைஞர் அணி பங்கேற்பை கடைசி நேரத்தில் கைவிட வேண்டிய நிலை ஏற்பட்டது.

23 வீரர்களும் 05 அதிகாரிகளும் உள்ளடங்கிய இந்தப் போட்டிக்காக இலங்கை அணி எதிர்வரும் ஒக்டோபர் மாதம் 3ஆம் திகதி இலங்கையிலிருந்து புறப்படவிருந்தது. உரிய விமான டிக்கெட்டுகள் ஒதுக்கப்படாததால் கடைசி நேரத்தில் இந்த போட்டியில் அவர்கள் பங்கேற்பது நிறுத்தப்பட்டது.

உஸ்பெகிஸ்தான் சுற்றுப்பயணத்திற்கான அனைத்து ஏற்பாடுகளும் செய்யப்பட்டிருந்த போதிலும், தேவையான விமான டிக்கெட்டுகளைப் பெற முடியாத காரணத்தினால் போட்டித் தொடர் தவறிவிட்டது. விமானப் பயணச்சீட்டுக்களை கொள்வனவு செய்வதற்குத் தேவையான பணம் இருந்த போதிலும், வர்த்தமானியில் கையொப்பமிடும் அதிகாரம் இல்லாதொழிக்கப்பட்டதன் காரணமாக தாம் இப்போட்டியில் பங்குபற்ற முடியாதுள்ளதாக உதைபந்தாட்ட சம்மேளனத்தின் முன்னாள் தலைவர்கள் தெரிவித்தனர்.

இது தவிர, இதன் பின்னணியில் அரசியல் செல்வாக்கு இருப்பதாகவும், பொய்யான குற்றச்சாட்டுகளை முன்வைத்து போட்டியை சீர்குலைக்க சில குழுக்கள் முயற்சிப்பதாகவும் முன்னாள் ஜனாதிபதி ஜஸ்வர் உமர் தெரிவித்துள்ளார். சதித்திட்டத்தின் பின்னணியில் ரொட்ரிகோ இருப்பதாக அவர் கூறினார். சர்வதேச போட்டி தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டால் அதற்கான பொறுப்பு ரஞ்சித் ரொட்ரிகோவிடம் ஒப்படைக்கப்படும் என அவர் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

ஆனால் இவை அனைத்திற்கும் பதிலளித்த திரு.ரஞ்சித் ரொட்ரிகோ, இதற்கு முன்னாள் ஜனாதிபதி திரு.ஜஸ்வர் உமர் முழுப்பொறுப்பேற்க வேண்டும் எனவும், சரியான நிர்வாகம் இல்லாத அவரது குறுகிய கால கட்டுப்பாடு மற்றும் திட்டமிடல் காரணமாக இலங்கை அணியால் பங்கேற்க முடியவில்லை எனவும் தெரிவித்துள்ளார். இந்த போட்டி. உலக கால்பந்தாட்ட சம்மேளனத்தின் தடையின் விளிம்பில் இலங்கை இருப்பதால், ஜஸ்வர் உமர் இதற்கு பொறுப்பேற்க வேண்டும், இது குறித்து திரு. அது நிலைமையை மேலும் சிக்கலாக்கியுள்ளது என்றார் ரோட்ரிகோ.

போட்டியில் பங்கேற்கும் வீரர்களின் அணியை ஒரு மாதத்திற்கு முன்னதாக அமைச்சகத்திற்கு அனுப்ப வேண்டும் என்று விளையாட்டு அமைச்சகம் கூறுகிறது. ஆனால் அப்போதைய கால்பந்து நிர்வாகம் சரியான நேரத்தில் அணியை முன்வைக்காததால் போட்டி தவறவிட்டதாகவும் தெரிவிக்கப்படுகிறது.

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SLR Unveils National Coaching Staff for 2026 Season

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Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) has officially named the coaching and support staff for the national XV-a-side and sevens teams ahead of the 2026 international rugby season, which begins next month with the tour of the New Zealand Under-85kg team to Sri Lanka.

Dushanth Lewke has been appointed as the Head Coach of the national XV-a-side squad for the upcoming international campaigns. He will be supported by forwards coach Henry Terance and assistant coach Lasintha De Costa. The team’s support staff will include Tharanga Premakumara as physiotherapist and Vishvamithra Jayasinghe overseeing strength and conditioning.

Lewke previously served as the forwards coach of the national XV-a-side team during the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship. He also enjoyed a highly successful domestic season, guiding his club CR & FC to a historic double by winning both the League title and the Clifford Cup.

Sri Lanka’s XV-a-side international calendar will begin with the New Zealand Under-85kg tour scheduled for April. Later in the year, Sri Lanka will compete in the Asia Rugby Top 4 tournament alongside South Korea, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.

For the men’s sevens programme, Shamly Nawaz and Amjad Buksh have been appointed as co-coaches, while Dansha Dayan will join the setup as an intern coach. Dilan Zoysa will manage strength and conditioning responsibilities and Shafin Majid will serve as the team physiotherapist.

The women’s national programme will be led by head coach Leonard De Zilwa with M. Saldeen appointed as assistant coach. Nimesh De Silva will take on the role of team physiotherapist.

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Cricket

92nd Battle of the Saints Set for March at SSC

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The stage is set for one of Sri Lanka’s most cherished school cricket rivalries, as St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College prepare to renew their historic contest in the 92nd Battle of the Saints. The three-day encounter will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground on 19, 20 and 21 March, with the prestigious Rev. Fr. Maurice J. Le Goc Trophy up for grabs.
Adding to the excitement, the 52nd Joe–Pete Limited Overs Encounter for the Rev. Fr. Peter A. Pillai Trophy will take place on 25 April, also at SSC. Dialog Axiata PLC continues its proud tradition of powering this iconic fixture for the tenth consecutive year, underscoring its commitment to nurturing the champions of tomorrow.

This year, St. Joseph’s will be led by Rishma Amarasinghe, while St. Peter’s will take the field under Enosh Peterson, who starred as Man-of-the-Match in last year’s limited overs clash. The rivalry remains finely balanced: St. Joseph’s has 12 outright wins, their last in 2008, while St. Peter’s boasts 10, most recently in 2016. A remarkable 68 encounters have ended in draws, reflecting the competitive spirit that defines this fixture. The 2025 edition, contested as a three-day match for the first time, fittingly ended in a draw.

In the shorter format, St. Joseph’s holds a narrow edge with 25 victories compared to St. Peter’s 23, alongside two no-results and one tie. The 51st encounter saw St. Peter’s clinch a thrilling four-wicket win to retain the Rev. Fr. Peter A. Pillai Memorial Shield.

Beyond the numbers, both schools carry a proud legacy of producing cricketing greats who have represented Sri Lanka at the highest level. Josephian alumni include Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Chaminda Vaas, Dunith Wellalage, Thisara Perera, and Sadeera Samarawickrama, while Peterites have given the nation stars such as Roy Dias, Rumesh Ratnayake, Russel Arnold, Angelo Perera, and Janith Liyanage.

Speaking ahead of the match, Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo of St. Peter’s emphasized that the fixture represents more than competition, symbolizing brotherhood, character, and the highest standards of school cricket. Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi of St. Joseph’s echoed the sentiment, highlighting the values of discipline, teamwork, and fellowship that unite generations of players and supporters.

Dialog’s Group Chief Marketing Officer, Lasantha Thverapperuma, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Big Match season, calling it a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s sporting heritage and wishing both teams success in what promises to be another memorable chapter in this storied rivalry.

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Cricket

LPL Player Draft Postponed Amid Middle East Tensions

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The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 has encountered an unexpected delay, with organizers confirming that the highly anticipated player draft will not take place this month due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. While the draft has been pushed back, the tournament itself remains firmly on schedule, set to run from 8 July to 8 August 2026.

Despite the setback, excitement around the sixth edition of the league continues to build. Several prominent international cricketers have already expressed their interest in participating, reinforcing the LPL’s growing stature in the global cricket calendar.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is also exploring the possibility of expanding the list of venues for this year’s competition. The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo has emerged as a strong candidate following the installation of floodlights, which now allow the historic venue to host day-night fixtures. If included, SSC would join the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, and Dambulla International Stadium, easing logistical challenges and giving fans in the capital another opportunity to witness the action.

Although no official confirmation has been made, discussions are ongoing, and SSC is increasingly seen as a likely addition to the venue lineup.

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