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Sri Lanka fined by the Asian Football Confederation

Published

3 years ago

January 1, 2023

Editor

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.

Cricket

Team Green Clinch Women’s NSL T20 Title with Commanding Final Victory

Published

7 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Editor

Team Green were crowned champions of the Women’s National Super League T20 tournament after producing a dominant six-wicket victory over Team Blue in the final played at the P. Sara Oval on Saturday.

The championship triumph was built on a disciplined and clinical bowling performance, as Team Green dismissed Team Blue for a modest total of 95 in 18.1 overs. Oshadi Ranasinghe led the attack with an outstanding four-wicket haul, applying sustained pressure through the middle overs and preventing any meaningful recovery. She received strong support from Malsha Shehani, Kawya Kavindi, Nimasha Madushani, and Udeshika Prabodani, as Team Blue struggled to establish partnerships.

Team Blue found resistance through Chamari Athapaththu, who played a determined innings of 51 from 41 deliveries. Her knock helped stabilise the innings after early setbacks, but regular wickets at the other end stalled momentum. Once Athapaththu was dismissed, the remainder of the batting lineup was unable to provide support, leading to a rapid collapse.

In response, Team Green approached the chase with calm assurance. Despite losing a few early wickets, they remained firmly in control throughout the pursuit of the modest target. Nilakshika Silva anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 36, rotating the strike effectively and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Oshadi Ranasinghe completed a memorable all-round performance by contributing an unbeaten 16, ensuring there were no late complications.

Team Green reached the target at 98 for 4 in 18.1 overs, sealing the title with 11 balls to spare. Team Blue’s bowlers attempted to apply pressure, but the total proved insufficient to trouble a well-organised batting unit.

The victory capped a successful campaign for Team Green, underlining their consistency and balance throughout the tournament, while Oshadi Ranasinghe’s all-round brilliance stood out on the biggest stage.

Brief Scores

Team Blue – 95 all out in 18.1 overs
Chamari Athapaththu 51; Oshadi Ranasinghe 4/17, Udeshika Prabodani 1/17

Team Green – 98/4 in 18.1 overs
Nilakshika Silva 36*, Oshadi Ranasinghe 16*; Devmi Vihanga 1/22

Cricket

Milan, Dunith Likely to Return for ODIs as Sri Lanka Prepare for England Series

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2026

Editor

England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026

All-rounders Milan Rathnayake and Dunith Wellalage are set to make their return to Sri Lanka’s One-Day International squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, which is scheduled to begin in the coming days.

Sri Lanka selectors have opted for a well-balanced squad that blends experienced campaigners with emerging talent as the hosts prepare for a demanding home series against a strong England side.

Charith Asalanka will continue to lead the ODI team as captain, with his role in the middle order expected to be pivotal. Asalanka’s ability to absorb pressure and accelerate when required will be key against England’s varied bowling attack.

At the top of the order, Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara are expected to open the batting. Nissanka’s consistency and sound technique remain central to Sri Lanka’s ODI plans, while Mishara will be eager to convert starts into meaningful contributions. Their partnership will be crucial in providing solid foundations.

Wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis adds experience and aggression to the middle order, offering Sri Lanka flexibility in both tempo and shot selection. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Janith Liyanage further strengthen the batting unit, with both players capable of anchoring the innings or playing decisive roles when momentum is needed.

The squad features strong all-round depth, with Kamindu Mendis offering versatility with both bat and ball. The return of Wanindu Hasaranga significantly enhances Sri Lanka’s all-round options, with his leg-spin expected to play a decisive role on home pitches. Dunith Wellalage’s inclusion adds another spin-bowling all-rounder capable of controlling the middle overs.

Milan Rathnayake’s likely return boosts the seam-bowling all-round resources, while the pace attack will be led by Asitha Fernando, supported by Eshan Malinga and Pramod Madushan. The spin department is further reinforced by Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay, both expected to be influential under Sri Lankan conditions.

The first ODI of the series is scheduled to be played on Thursday (22) at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Probable Sri Lanka ODI Squad vs England

Charith Asalanka (Captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay.

News

Peiris, Norbert, Usgodaarachchi and De Silva Lead Women’s Charge at Yeti SSC Open

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2026

Editor

The Women’s Singles quarterfinals at the Yeti SSC Open Tennis Championship delivered a high standard of competition, with Yuhansa Peiris, Annaya Norbert, Sandithi Usgodaarachchi, and Dinara De Silva producing impressive performances to book their places in the semifinals.

Yuhansa Peiris produced one of the most commanding displays of the tournament, overwhelming Dulkini Ranasinghe in straight sets, 6/0, 6/0. Peiris controlled the match from the outset, combining solid baseline dominance with precise shot placement and relentless pressure that gave her opponent little opportunity to find rhythm.

Dinara De Silva was equally dominant in her quarterfinal encounter, cruising past Aroshi Thomas 6/1, 6/0. De Silva’s confident shot selection, consistent aggression, and sharp court movement allowed her to dictate play throughout the match, underlining her strong form in the championship.

One of the most competitive matches of the women’s quarterfinals saw Annaya Norbert edge past Biyanka Acquistapace in a tightly contested contest. Norbert held her nerve in crucial moments to secure a 6/4, 7/6 victory, clinching the match in a tense second-set tiebreak after sustained pressure from both players.

Sandithi Usgodaarachchi showcased impressive resilience and mental strength in her quarterfinal clash against Vinethya Dharmarathne. After dropping the opening set 2/6, Usgodaarachchi regrouped and raised her intensity, dominating the next two sets 6/3, 6/1 to complete a hard-fought comeback and advance to the semifinals.

The Men’s Singles quarterfinals were equally compelling, with several strong performances shaping an exciting semifinal lineup. Ganuka Fernando advanced with a composed 6/3, 6/4 victory over Ashen Silva, using disciplined baseline play and timely winners to maintain control during key phases of the match.

Thehan Wijemanne delivered one of the most dominant performances in the men’s draw, dismantling Neven Kannangara 6/1, 6/2. Wijemanne’s aggressive approach and constant pressure from the opening game left little room for his opponent to recover.

Harishva Parameshwaran demonstrated experience and tactical awareness in a solid 6/2, 6/4 win against Rehan Gunawardhana, maintaining steady momentum and dictating play with well-constructed points. Rounding off the quarterfinal stage, Methvan Vijemanne advanced in emphatic fashion, defeating Aahil Kallel 6/1, 6/1 with excellent court coverage and sharp finishing.

With the semifinals now set, the Yeti SSC Open Tennis Championship continues to highlight the growing depth, competitiveness, and quality of Sri Lanka’s tennis talent across both the women’s and men’s categories.