News
Thirty-year record, Sri Lanka beats Australians and sealed the series with one match to spare!!
The fourth ODI between Sri Lanka and Australia was played yesterday at the R Premadasa Stadium. The opening two matches of the previous three matches were played in Pallekele and the third match was played in Colombo. Despite losing the tournament’s first match, “Yaksha Pataw” returned to the Premadasa Stadium today with a vital victory momentum by winning the second and third matches and preparing for a record victory.
After winning the ODI series between the two countries in Australia in 2012 against Australia, Sri Lanka has not been able to defeat them so far. Also, the Sri Lankan team has not been able to defeat the Kangaroos in Sri Lanka since 1992.
The Australians won the toss and elected to field. Wanindu Hasaranga was named in the Sri Lanka squad to replace the injured Dushmantha Chameera with only one change Sri Lanka came to the match.
Even though Sri Lankans lost three wickets for 34 runs, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva put on 101 for the fourth wicket. Dhananjaya scored 60 off 61 balls while Charith scored his maiden ODI century scoring 110 off 106 balls. At the end of 49 overs, Sri Lanka was all out for 258 and set a target of 259 for Australians.
Although in the chase Chamika Karunaratne did not allow Australia to get off to a flourishing start, David Warner was able to stay on the pitch at one end and establish a stable partnership from time to time, pushing the victory towards Australia. However, the Sri Lankan bowlers were able to take wickets from the other end of the pitch whereas Warner alone at one end. Chamika Karunaratne took two wickets for 19 runs in five overs, with each spinner taking at least one wicket to put pressure on the Australians.
Sri Lankan bowlers set a target of 19 runs in the final over to win the match, the skipper Dasun Shanaka took the responsibility on his own to bowl the final over of the match. The Australians scored only 14 off the first five balls of the final over and expected to score 5 runs in the final ball. Fortunately, Dasun was able to get rid of the final wicket of the match in the last ball the match and seal the match and series. Sri Lanka won the match by 4 runs. Sri Lanka won the five-match ODI series 3-1 with one match to spare.
තිස් වසරක වාර්තාවක් අලුත් වේ, ශ්‍රී ලංකාව ඕස්ට්‍රේලියානුවන්ව වේලාසනම පරදවයි.
ශ්‍රී ලංකාව සහ ඕස්ට්‍රේලියාව අතර පැවත්වෙන සිව්වන එක්දින තරඟය අද කොළඹ ආර්. ප්‍රේමදාස ක්‍රීඩා පිටියේදී පැවත්විණි. මීට පෙර පැවති තරඟ ත්‍රිත්වයෙන් ආරම්භක තරඟ ද්විත්වය පල්ලෙකැළේදීත් තෙවන තරඟය කොළඹදීත් පැවත්විණි. තරඟාවලියේ පළමු තරඟය පරාජයට පත් වූවත් දෙවන සහ තෙවන තරඟ ජයග්‍රහණය කරමින් ප්‍රබල අන්දමින් නැවත තරඟාවලි ජයක් පෙනෙන මානයට අවතීර්න වූ “යක්ෂ පැටව්” අද ප්‍රේමදාස පිටියට පැමිණියේ වාර්තාගත ජයක් සඳහා සූදානමින්.
ඕස්ට්‍රේලියානුවන්ට එරෙහිව ඕස්ට්‍රේලියාවේදීම 2012 වසරේදී දෙරට අතර එක්දින තරඟාවලිය ජයගැනීමෙන් පසු මේ වන තෙක් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට ඔවුන්ව පරාජය කිරීමට හැකි වී නොතිබිණි. එමෙන්ම 1992 වසරෙන් පසු මෙරටදී කැන්ගරුවන්ව පරාජය කිරීමටද ශ්‍රී ලංකා කණ්ඩායමට හැකියාවක් ලැබී නොතිබිණි.
තීරණාත්මක සිව්වන තරඟයේ කාසියේ වාසිය ඕස්ට්‍රේලියානුවන් හිමි කරගත් අතර ප්‍රථමයෙන් පන්දු රැකීමට ඔවුන් තීරණය කළහ. ශ්‍රී ලංකා කණ්ඩායම එක් වෙනස්කමක් පමණක් සිදු කරමින් වනිඳු හසරංගව සංචිතයට කැඳවා තිබුණේ ආබාධයට ලක් වූ දුෂ්මන්ත චමීර වෙනුවටයි.
ආරම්භයේදීම ප්‍රබල තරඟයක් ලබාදුන් ඕස්ට්‍රේලියානු පිළ ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ මුල් පෙළ පිතිකරුවන් තිදෙනාම මුලු ලකුණු සංඛ්‍යාව 34ක් වන විට ක්‍රීඩාගාරයට හරවා යැවූ අතර සිව්වන කඩුල්ල සඳහා ලකුණු 101ක සබඳතාවක් පිහිටවීමට චරිත් අසලංක සහ ධනංජය දි සිල්වාට හැකි විය. ධනංජය පන්දු 61න් ලකුණු 60ක් ලබාගද්දී චරිත් සිය මංගල එක්දින ශතකය වාර්තා කරේ පන්දු 106ට ලකුණු 110ක් රැස් කරමින්. පන්දුවාර 49ක් අවසානයේ සියල්ලන් දැවී ශ්‍රී ලංකා කණ්ඩායම ලකුණු 258ක් රැස් කරගත් අතර ඕස්ට්‍රේලියානුවන්ට හිමි වූ ඉලක්කය ලකුණු 259ක්.
ඕස්ට්‍රේලියාවට සාර්ථක ආරම්භයක් ලබාගැණීමට චාමික කරුණාරත්න ඉඩ ලබා නොදුන්නත් ඩේවිඩ් වෝර්නර් එක් අන්තයක සිටිමින් විටින් විට ස්ථාවර සබඳතා පිහිටුවීමට සමත් වූයේ ජයග්‍රහනය ඕස්ට්‍රේලියාව වෙත නැඹුරු කරම්නින්. කෙසේවෙතත් එක් අන්තයක වෝනර් තනිකරම්නින් අනෙක් අන්තයෙන් කඩුලු දවාගැනීමට ශ්‍රී ලංකා පන්දු යවන්නන්ට හැකියාව ලැබුණි. විශිෂ්ට පන්දු යැවීමක නිරත වූ චාමික කරුණාරත්න පන්දුවාර 5ක් ලකුණු 19ට යොමු කරමින් තීරණාත්මක කඩුලු ද්විත්වයක් බිඳ හෙලූ අතර කණ්ඩායමේ සෑම දඟ පන්දු යවන්නෙක්ම එක් කඩුල්ලක් බැගින් හෝ රැගෙන ඕස්ට්‍රේලියානු පිළට පීඩනයක් එල්ල කිරීමට සමත් වූහ.
තරඟයේ අවසන් පන්දුවාරයට ලකුණු 19ක ඉලක්කයක් ඕස්ට්‍රේලියානු පිළට හිමි වූ අතර එම පන්දුවාරය යොමු කීරීමේ වගකීමලබාගත්තේ නායක දසුන් ශානක විසින්ය. අවසන් පන්දුවාරයේ ප්‍රථම පන්දු 5ට ලකුණු 14ක් රැස් කරගැනීමට ඕස්ට්‍රේලියානුවන් සමත් වූ අතර අවසන් පන්දුවට හිමි වූ ඉලක්කය ලකුණු 5ක්. අවසන් පන්දුවෙන් ඕස්ට්‍රේලියානු අවසන් කඩුල්ල දවාගනිමින් තරඟය අවසන් මොහොතේ ජයග්‍රහණය කිරීමට ශ්‍රී ලංකා පිළට හැකියාව ලැබුණේ ලකුණු 4න්. මේ අනුව තරඟ 5න් සමන්විත එක්දින තරඟාවලිය එක් තරඟයක් ඉතුරු කරමින්ම 3-1ක් ලෙස ජයග්‍රහණය කළේ ශ්‍රී ලංකා කන්ඩායමයි.
முப்பது வருட சாதனை, ஆஸ்திரேலியர்களை வீழ்த்தி ஒரு போட்டி மீதம் உள்ள நிலையில் தொடரை கைப்பற்றிய இலங்கை!!
இலங்கை மற்றும் அவுஸ்திரேலியா அணிகளுக்கு இடையிலான நான்காவது ஒருநாள் போட்டி நேற்று ஆர் பிரேமதாச மைதானத்தில் நடைபெற்றது. முந்தைய மூன்று போட்டிகளின் தொடக்க இரண்டு போட்டிகள் பல்லேகலவிலும் மூன்றாவது போட்டி கொழும்பிலும் நடைபெற்றது. போட்டியின் முதல் போட்டியில் தோல்வியடைந்த போதிலும், இரண்டாவது மற்றும் மூன்றாவது போட்டிகளில் வெற்றி பெற்று சாதனை வெற்றிக்கு தயாராகி இன்றியமையாத வெற்றி வேகத்துடன் “யக்ஷா படவ்” இன்று பிரேமதாச மைதானத்திற்கு திரும்பியது.
கடந்த 2012ஆம் ஆண்டு அவுஸ்திரேலியாவுக்கு எதிராக இரு நாடுகளுக்கும் இடையில் அவுஸ்திரேலியாவில் இடம்பெற்ற ஒருநாள் தொடரை கைப்பற்றிய இலங்கையினால் இதுவரை அவர்களை தோற்கடிக்க முடியவில்லை. மேலும், 1992ஆம் ஆண்டு முதல் இலங்கையில் கங்காருக்களை இலங்கை அணியால் தோற்கடிக்க முடியவில்லை.
டாஸ் வென்ற ஆஸ்திரேலிய அணி பந்து வீச்சை தேர்வு செய்தது. இலங்கை அணியில் காயம் அடைந்த துஷ்மந்த சமீரவுக்கு பதிலாக வனிந்து ஹசரங்க ஒரே ஒரு மாற்றத்துடன் இலங்கை அணியில் சேர்க்கப்பட்டார்.
இலங்கை அணி 34 ஓட்டங்களுக்கு 3 விக்கெட்டுகளை இழந்திருந்தபோதும் சரித் அசலங்கா மற்றும் தனஞ்சய டி சில்வா ஆகியோர் நான்காவது விக்கெட்டுக்காக 101 ஓட்டங்களை குவித்தனர். தனஞ்சய 61 பந்துகளில் 60 ரன்கள் எடுத்தார், சரித் தனது முதல் ஒருநாள் சதத்தை 106 பந்துகளில் 110 ரன்கள் எடுத்தார். 49 ஓவர்கள் முடிவில் இலங்கை அணி 258 ரன்களுக்கு ஆல் அவுட்டாகி ஆஸ்திரேலிய அணிக்கு 259 ரன்கள் இலக்காக நிர்ணயித்தது.
துரத்தலில் சாமிக்க கருணாரத்ன அவுஸ்திரேலியாவை செழுமையாக ஆரம்பிப்பதற்கு இடமளிக்காத போதிலும், டேவிட் வார்னர் ஒரு முனையில் ஆடுகளத்தில் நிலைத்து நின்று, அவ்வப்போது நிலையான இணைப்பாட்டத்தை ஏற்படுத்தி வெற்றியை அவுஸ்திரேலியாவை நோக்கித் தள்ளினார். இருப்பினும், இலங்கை பந்துவீச்சாளர்கள் ஆடுகளத்தின் மறுமுனையில் இருந்து விக்கெட்டுகளை வீழ்த்த முடிந்தது, அதே நேரத்தில் வார்னர் மட்டும் ஒரு முனையில் இருந்தார். சமிக கருணாரத்ன ஐந்து ஓவர்களில் 19 ஓட்டங்களுக்கு இரண்டு விக்கெட்டுகளை வீழ்த்தினார், ஒவ்வொரு சுழற்பந்து வீச்சாளரும் குறைந்தது ஒரு விக்கெட்டையாவது வீழ்த்தி அவுஸ்திரேலிய அணிக்கு அழுத்தம் கொடுத்தார்.
கடைசி ஓவரில் 19 ரன்கள் கொடுத்தால் தோல்வி என்ற இலக்குடன் களமிறங்கிய இலங்கை கேப்டன் தசுன் ஷனக போட்டியின் இறுதி ஓவரை வீசும் பொறுப்பை தானே ஏற்றார். இறுதி ஓவரின் முதல் ஐந்து பந்துகளில் 14 ரன்கள் மட்டுமே எடுத்த ஆஸ்திரேலிய அணி, கடைசி பந்தில் 5 ரன்கள் எடுக்கும் என எதிர்பார்க்கப்பட்டது. போட்டியின் கடைசி பந்தில் ஆட்டத்தின் இறுதி விக்கெட்டை வீழ்த்தி போட்டியையும் தொடரையும் தசுன் கைப்பற்றினார். இந்தப் போட்டியில் இலங்கை அணி 4 ரன்கள் வித்தியாசத்தில் வெற்றி பெற்றது. ஐந்து போட்டிகள் கொண்ட ஒருநாள் தொடரை ஒரு போட்டி எஞ்சியுள்ள நிலையில் 3-1 என இலங்கை கைப்பற்றியது.
The much-anticipated SAFF Championship, originally scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka in July 2025, has now been officially postponed to 2026—a move that has raised serious concerns over the competence and credibility of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL).
According to the SAFF Executive Committee, the decision to delay the tournament stemmed largely from pressure exerted by its marketing partner, Sportfive, which advocated for a home-and-away format to increase commercial value. Furthermore, it is reported that Sportfive preferred the event be hosted in Bangladesh or India, citing better sponsor access and commercial feasibility in those countries if the tournament were to follow a centralized model.
However, beyond external pressure, this development highlights a troubling reality: the FFSL’s inability to effectively organize and defend Sri Lanka’s hosting rights on the international stage. This isn’t merely a scheduling issue—it reflects a deeper pattern of administrative shortcomings, lack of vision, and prioritization of media narratives over tangible development.
As previously reported by Sri Lankan Sports TV, the FFSL continues to focus more on optics and media stunts rather than on the foundational work required to uplift football in the country. The failure to safeguard Sri Lanka’s opportunity to host a major regional tournament not only affects the sport’s growth domestically but also damages the nation’s reputation within South Asian football.
For a federation that has long promised reform and transparency, this latest setback exposes how little progress has actually been made. When commercial partners have more sway than the national football body itself, it’s a clear indication that local football governance is being undermined by weak leadership and poor planning.
This should be a wake-up call—not just for the FFSL, but for every stakeholder invested in the future of Sri Lankan football. The time for slogans and staged announcements is over. Sri Lanka needs action, accountability, and genuine commitment to building a sustainable footballing culture. Until then, headlines like this will only continue to reflect a sport lost in mismanagement.
Cricket
Sri Lanka Unveils Balanced Squad for Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series 2025, Chamari Athapaththu to Lead the Charge
Sri Lanka Cricket has officially announced a strong and balanced 17-member squad for the Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series 2025, with star batter Chamari Athapaththu set to lead the team. The series, scheduled for next month, will serve as a key preparatory tournament ahead of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.
Athapaththu, a globally respected all-rounder known for her fearless batting and bold leadership, remains the cornerstone of Sri Lanka Women’s cricket. As captain, she brings not only experience but also explosive firepower at the top of the order.
The Sri Lanka Women’s ODI squad for the tri-nation series blends youth with experience, showcasing the selectors’ vision of developing depth across all departments. Emerging talent Vishmi Gunaratne retains her spot following a solid domestic season, while consistent performers like Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshi Silva will provide stability in the middle order.
All-round strength is a key feature of the squad, with the likes of Kavisha Dilhari and Anushka Sanjeewani (who will also don the gloves as the primary wicketkeeper) offering both batting and bowling options. Batters Hasini Perera and Piumi Wathsala strengthen the order, while promising youngsters Manudi Nanayakkara and Dewmi Vihanga are expected to gain valuable international exposure.
On the bowling front, spin remains Sri Lanka’s biggest weapon, spearheaded by veteran Inoka Ranaweera, with support from Inoshi Fernando and Sugandika Kumari. Their ability to control the game in the middle overs will be vital on slower pitches.
The pace unit will be led by Achini Kulasuriya and Rashmika Sewwandi, both known for their early breakthroughs and death-over effectiveness. All-rounders Malki Madara and Hansima Karunaratne round out the squad, providing versatility and tactical flexibility.
This ODI series is more than just preparation—it’s a chance for Sri Lanka to test its combinations, refine strategies, and build momentum ahead of a major global tournament. With Chamari Athapaththu at the helm and a team full of potential, fans can expect a spirited and competitive campaign.
Sri Lanka Women’s Squad for Tri-Nation ODI Series 2025
Chamari Athapaththu (Captain), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshi Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani, Hasini Perera, Piumi Wathsala, Manudi Nanayakkara, Dewmi Vihanga, Inoka Ranaweera, Inoshi Fernando, Hansima Karunaratne, Rashmika Sewwandi, Malki Madara, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya
Sri Lanka has officially qualified for the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2025 after a commanding 59-19 victory over Malaysia, marking a major step forward in their journey toward the Rugby World Cup 2027.
The Tuskers came out charging in this crucial qualifying clash, showcasing a blend of power, pace, and precision as they dismantled the Malaysian defense to book their place among Asia’s top rugby nations. With this win, Sri Lanka joins the elite group set to compete for the continent’s sole direct qualification spot for the Rugby World Cup 2027, to be held in Australia.
What’s Next? The Road to Australia 2027
The Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2025 will be held between June and July 2025, featuring top sides including Hong Kong China, Korea, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates. The winner of the tournament will directly qualify for the Rugby World Cup 2027, while the runner-up will get a second chance through the Asia/Africa Play-Off.
Sri Lanka will now look to prepare for this pivotal tournament, with the goal of becoming the first-ever Sri Lankan team to qualify for a Rugby World Cup.
Global Qualification Overview:
- Europe (4 teams): Semi-finalists from Rugby Europe Men’s Championship 2025.
- Africa (1 team): Winner of Rugby Africa Men’s Cup 2025.
- South America (1 team): Winner of Sudamérica Rugby Championship 2025.
- Pacific (3 teams): Top 3 from the Pacific Nations Cup 2025 (excluding already-qualified Fiji and Japan).
- Asia (1 team): Winner of the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2025 (which now includes Sri Lanka).
- Final Qualification Tournament (1 team): A round-robin between four remaining contenders from intercontinental play-offs.
As the race to Australia 2027 heats up, Sri Lanka’s emphatic entry into the Asian Championship is a huge statement of intent. The nation’s rugby faithful will be eagerly following the Elephants as they charge toward a historic World Cup debut.
SAFF Championship Postponement Exposes Deeper Issues Within FFSL
Sri Lanka Unveils Balanced Squad for Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series 2025, Chamari Athapaththu to Lead the Charge
Sri Lanka Storm Into Asia Rugby Men’s Championship with Dominant Win Over Malaysia
-
Live4 years agoLive Broadcast of Syria vs Sri Lanka | AFC U23 Asian Championship Qualification
-
Football2 months agoSri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025: Super 8 Fixtures and Grouping
-
Football3 months agoFFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision
-
Cricket3 months agoSri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test: Spin to Dominate as Galle Pitch Set to Turn
-
Football2 months agoSri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Concludes – Semifinalists Confirmed!
-
Football3 months agoErling Haaland Signs Record-Breaking 9.5-Year Contract Extension with Manchester City
-
News4 years agoWe are Back
-
News3 months ago2025 Schools Rugby Season Set to Thrill Fans with Knockout and League Action
