Sukitha Samarakkody of Fortude Company and Umaya Windsor of Zone 24x7 company were elected President and Secretary of the Mercantile Table Tennis Association (MTTA) during their Annual General Meeting held at the Otters Aquatic Club, Colombo recently.

Three Vice Presidents, Kasun Punchihewa of MIT in charge of the Finance and Accounts, Chanaka Perera of Zone 24x 7 in charge of the Tournaments and events and Dinali Athukorala of HSBC in charge the of Operations were also elected.

Meanwhile Janith Nimantha of Laughfs was elected the Treasurer while Mirunaaliny Iyer of Syscolabs and Vinoli Silva of Seylan Bank were elected Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer respectively .

Following are the other officials of the Mercnatile TTA

Immediate Past President – Madusanka Gammanpila(Dialog Axiata)

Tournament Committee- Dilini Edirisinghe (Esoft), Tharindu Munasinghe(Syscolabs), Kalindu Jayatilleka (Zone 24x7), Damith Wijethunga (Virtusa)

Committee Members – Yohan Prabodha(Laughfs), Ikashani Wickramanayake (HSBC), Nimalka Lucas(Codegen International), Himasha Samaraweera (Pearson)

Prince of Wales’

The Annual Inter Hose Sports Meet of Prince of Wales’ College will be held today at the college grounds commencing at 12.30 p.m.

The chief guest will be a former Cambrian, Deputy Inspector General Crimes and Legal Kamal Silva and the guest of honour too will be another old Cambrian M. K. Thusitha Kumara.

China Fort JS

The annual inter-House sports meet of China Fort Junior School, Kalutara will be held today at the school grounds under the patronage of the principal Ismath Fathima, commencing at 9.00 a.m. Social worker Irsan Mohamed is the chief guest while Kalutara Zonal Education Director Priyani Mudalige is the guest of honour.

Puran Appu MS

Moratuwa Sports Special Corr.

The Annual Inter Hose Sports Meet of Weera Puran Appu Model School, Idama, Moratuwa will be held today at the De Soysa Stadium, commencing at 1.30 p.m. The chief guest will be Western Provincial Councillor Morris Wijerathne.

Swiss watchmaker Omega is a long-standing partner of golfing events such as the PGA Championship, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Omega European Masters in Crans Montana.

On 26 January the Omega Trophy was brought to Sri Lanka through a partnership between the Royal Colombo Golf Club and Omega’s representative in Sri Lanka, Chatham Luxury Watches. At Saturday’s tournament, professional golfing took center

stage at the Royal Colombo Golf Club, with players bringing their best tee game to the course.

A total of 46 teams, each consisting of 3 players, took part in the tournament. The tournament consisted of two rounds of 23 teams playing in the format of a shotgun start 3-man scramble. This afforded each golfer on the team the chance to hit a drive (a long distance shot played from the tee box), have their results compared, and repeat the process until the ball is holed for one team score. The tournament was followed by cocktails, alongside the presentation of prizes.

The winning team with a Gross Score of 58 and a Nett score of 54.5 comprised Sachin De Silva, A Senadhira and Sheron Fernando. Rusi Captain, S Vairavanathan and Dr Manjula Karunaratne team was placed second with a Gross Score of 60 and a Nett Score of 55.5, while the team comprising Kamlesh Johnpillai, Kapila Dandeniya and Thusith Wijesinghe was placed third with a Gross Score of 62 and a Nett Score of 56.7. The OMEGA box challenge was won by Druvi Sirisena.

The Omega Trophy is its own exclusive tournament licensed only to trusted partners around the world. In 2017, for example, only 6 countries qualified to play the trophy on their home turf and 970 participants vied for the title with seven box challenge winners emerging from the pack. The winners from Saturday’s tournament will travel to Crans

Montana to witness and potentially participate in the grand final.

Omega is represented in Sri Lanka by Chatham Luxury Watches, Sri Lanka’s first multi-brand luxury watch boutique. Chatham is known as the home of Colombo’s finest expertly curated selection of designer Swiss watches, viewable at its state of the art Galle Face Court boutique.

Omega is one such designer label at the store. The brand is so reputed for its precision that it has been the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932.

The magnificent Mercantile Men and Women Cagers gave the Mercantile Services Basketball Association (MSBA) a shining moment when they won an elusive “double” at the 52nd National Senior Basketball Championship 2018/19 concluded at the Sri Lanka Air force indoor sports complex recently.

The MSBA Men, led by National player, Gayan de Croos from Commercial Credit & Finance, regained the Level One Championship which they last won in 2015, as they trounced Colombo District Basketball Association, 68/47 in the final.

The MSBA Women, the defending champions led by Anjalee Ekanayake from HNB retained the Women’s Level one championship, beating Sri Lanka Army, 61/48 in the final.

MSBA players Praneeth Udugampola (Men) and Anjalee Ekanayake (Women) were adjudged as the Most Valuable player in the tournament.

The MSBA Men on their way to the final, beat Sri Lanka Schools, 55/47, Sri Lanka Navy, 63/61, Puttlam District, 86/47 and Colombo District, 55/54, as they advanced to the final round with a clean record. They beat Sri Lanka Army 70/58 in the semifinals.

The MSBA Women on their way to the final, beat Sri Lanka Navy, 73/44, Hambantota District, 70/43 and Sri Lanka Air Force, 65/55, as they advanced to the final round, unbeaten they beat SL Schools, 61/49 in the semifinals.

Sri Lanka Army claimed the 3rd spot, beating Hambantota District in the Men’s championship and Sri Lanka Schools took the 3rd spot in the Women’s Championship, beating SL Air Force.

Vice Admiral, Piyal de Silva, the newly appointed Sri Lanka Navy Commander, who is a former National Basketball player and a chief selector was the chief guest at the awards ceremony. Joining the Vice Admiral with the awards were SLBF Officials and CWT Globe link (Pvt) Ltd.

MSBA Men’s Team was represented by: Gayan de Croos (Captain), Thimothi Nithushan and Clinton Stallone (all from Commercial Credit & Finance); Sudesh Paiva (MAS Holdings), Anushka Jayalath (HNB), Charith Perera, Terrence Neydoff and Dasun Nilantha (all from DFCC Bank); Shehan Udayanga, Praneeth Udugampola, Nichula Liyanage and Nimesh Fernando (all from Fairfirst Insurance); Asanga Perera, (Head Coach) and Sameera Fernando (Asst. Coach).

The MSBA Womens team was represented by: Anjalee Ekanayake (Captain), Umanga de Zoysa, (both from HNB), Prasadi Croos, Anne Stephanie, Solangi Gunawijaya and Imasha Tathsarani (all from Commercial Credit & Finance), Niroshani Paiva (NTB) , Banika Thalagala , Kamalene Mills and Kanchana Wijesiriwardene (all from Seylan Bank), Pramesha Fernando (David Pieris Group) and Tathsara Cuttilan (MAS Holdings), T.M. Amath (Head Coach), Mafaz Mohideen (Asst. Coach)

An unbeaten 64 runs from the captain Mulitha de Costa and a fine bowling spell of 6 for 21 by Bihandu Devnaka enabled Lalith Athulathmudali Vidyalaya Mount. Lavinia to beat C. W. W. Kannangara Vidyalaya Colombo by an innings and 83 runs in their inter school under 13 division three second round tournament cricket match played at Moratuwa By virtue of this win Lalith Athulathmudai Vidyalaya has qualified for the third round. Batting first visitors were all out for 43 runs and homesters declared at 189/5 and in their second essay visitors collapsed for 64 runs.

Chief Scores

C. W. W. Kannangara Vidyalaya - 42 in 12 overs - Sithum Anjana 4/17, Mulitha de Costa 3/10 and 64- Bihandu Devnaka 6/21, Mulitha de Costa 2/19, Chenuka Hashmika 2/2

Lalith Athulathmudali Vidyalaya - 189/5 in 28 overs - Mulitha de Costa 64 n/o, Bihandu Devnaka 49, Tharaka Sthyajith 22, Yasoda 2/76, Dulina 2/9

Two Royal College cricketers, Sri Lankan Youth Caps, Kamil Mishara and 2018 captain Pasindu Sooriyabandara scored two double centuries in two consecutive matches. Kamil scored 250 runs against Ananda College at Ananda Grounds on the 18th January. while Pasindu scored 202 n.o against St. Mary’s Chilaw at Reid Avenue on the 26th January.

They became the 3rd and 4th Royalists to score double centuries in inter school cricket. The first and second double centurions were C. T. Vangeyzel (202 against St. Benedict’s in 1920) and Chulaka Amarasinghe (207 n.o against Wesley in 1983 at Campbell Park

The under mentioned records were also established during the last 2 matches.

A) The 2nd wicket partnership of 244 runs between K. Mishara and Ahan. Wickremasinghe (69 n.o) against Ananda was the highest second wicket partnership for Royal against all schools.

They erased the earlier partnership record of 243 runs between G. Sonnadara (122) and S. Warnakulasuriya (137 R. H) against St. Joseph’s at Darley Road in 1980. (Both these batsmen were freshers in 1980).

B) The score of 373 for 2 wkts decl. was the highest score by Royal for matches against. Ananda erasing the earlier highest of 365 runs in 1923 at University Grounds.

C) Pasindu Sooriyabandara’s 202 n.o at Reid Avenue was the highest individual score at Reid Avenue, erasing the earlier record of 181 n.o by S. Warnakulasuriya against Trinity College in 1981.

It should be mentioned at this stage that Kamil Mishara with his all round performance scored 749 runs and had 51 wickets in 2018 as a fresher. Thus, he became the first ever Royalist to achieve this rare feat of 500 runs and 50 wickets as a fresher.

M. Larlasri Fernando
Hony. Recorder – Royal College Union 

The British School in Colombo have put up a fine performance to remain unbeaten in the second-round of the ongoing Under 13 Inter-Schools Division Three Cricket Tournament.

They trounced Thurstan College by an innings and 107 runs and followed it up with some outstanding performances in the fixtures against Royal College, Moratu MV, M. D. H. Jayawardana Vidyalaya and Vidyadeepa MV respectively.

Results:

(British School beat Thurstan College by innings and 107 runs)

British School: 220/2 (Threen Gulavita 106 n.o, Kenneth De Silva 47, Rajeev Navarathnem 35)

Thurstan: 65 (James Graham 3/22, Shashrik Vijayakumar 2/10, Kavya Shukla 2/1) and 48 (James Graham 4/15, Diyath Kularathne 3/6, Kavya Shukla 2/3).

(British School drew with Royal College)

British School: 239/8 (Kavya Shukla 92, Shehzad Younus 22, James Graham 28)

Royal: 174/6 (James Graham 4/32).

(British School drew with Moratu MV)

British School: 86 and 99/6 (Kavya Shukla 47 n.o) Moratu MV: 86 (Sehath Srikanth 4/21, Sharin Junaidin 4/21) and 16/2.

(British School drew with M. D. H. Jayawardana Vidyalaya)

British School: 156 (Kavya Shukla 80, Kenneth De Silva 20) and 96/5 (Kavya Shukla 56)

M. D. H. Jayawardana Vidyalaya: 163 (James Graham 2/48, Sharin Junaidin 2/31).

(British School drew with Vidyadeepa MV)

British School: 304/7 (Kavya Shukla 107, Threen Gulawita 79, Shazead Rajkotwala 36, Sharin Junaidin 33, Nimnoth Kinnara 2/63) Vidyadeepa MV: 72/2 (Pulina Nimsara 28).

Sri Lanka ‘A’ once again came up with a sterling batting performance to outplay Ireland ‘A’ by 101 runs to win the fifth and final unofficial ODI and make a clean sweep of the five-match series 5-0 at the R Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

Winning the toss and batting first Sri Lanka ‘A’ rattled up an imposing total of 403-7 off 50 overs riding on the back of a double century opening partnership of 206 between Avishka Fernando and skipper Upul Tharanga who both made centuries.

Ireland ‘A’ put up a strong batting performance but were dismissed for 302 off the last ball of the final over.

For 20-year-old former St Sebastian’s College right-hander Fernando it has been a dream run with the bat scoring his third hundred of the ODI series. He made 128 in the first unofficial ODI at Hambantota and followed it up with back to back hundreds in the fourth ODI (139 at SSC) and 112 off 94 balls (13 fours, 2 sixes) in the fifth yesterday.

Experienced opener Tharanga scored his second hundred of the series with a stylish 120 off 108 balls comprising 15 fours and a six.

Buoyed by the start the Lankan batsmen went on a run spree with contributions down the order taking the Irish bowlers comprising eight apart with Chaturanga de Silva smashing five sixes in a quickfire half century off 23 balls.

Ireland ‘A’ got off to a flying start with their openers posting 52 off 46 balls and at one time were well placed at 233-4 in the 42nd over.

But their batting was eventually dismantled by Sri Lanka all-rounder Asela Gunaratne who snapped up four wickets for 51 runs with his probing right-arm medium-paced deliveries trapping last man Peter Chase lbw off the final ball of the match.

Scores: Sri Lanka ‘A’ 403-7 in 50 overs (Avishka Fernando 112, Upul Tharanga 120, Asela Gunaratne 25, Dasun Shanaka 39, Chaturanga de Silva 50, Isuru Udana 22, Peter Chase 2/57, Gareth Delany 3/58)

Ireland ‘A’ 302 in 50 overs (Stuart Thompson 30, James McCollum 43, Simi Singh 41, Lorcan Tucker 53, Harry Tector 27, Neil Rock 78, Kamindu Mendis 2/82, Dasun Shanaka 2/41, Asela Gunaratne 4/51)

St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya will meet Royal College Colombo in the semi final of the ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 13 division one inter schools cricket tournament today at Ananda Sastralaya ground Beddagana.

Royal College ‘A’ Colombo won on points against President’s College ‘A’ Kotte and St. Peter’s College A Bambalapitiya won on points against St. Joseph Vaz College ‘A’ Wennappuwa in the quarter finals.

Royal ‘A’ Colombo won on first innings against Mahanama Colombo and St. Peter’s Bambalapitiya won on points against Trinity Kandy in the quarter final. Royal ‘A will be led by Nethwin Dharmaratne and Vishen Helambage will lead St. Peter’s ‘A’.

St, Peter’s College Under 13 ‘A’ squad: Vishen Helambage (Captain), Ovin Salgado, Anupa Garumanna, Sishira Ayupala, Lashmika Perera, Chamindu Perera, Sean Roberts, Nithesh Fernando, Salith Gallage, Shevon Costa, Joshua Rahel, Enosh Peterson, Sandew Thanapathi, Enosh Karunanayake, Shanuka Damviru, Shenesh Wijeratne, Diwanka Jayaratne, Rohan Soysa (Head Coach), Manuka Perera (Assistant Coach), Charith Perera (Assistant Coach),

Wasantha Haputhanthri (Master in charge)

Royal College Under 13 ‘A’ squad: Nethwin Dharmaratne (Captain), Sehath Perera (Vice Captain), Bulan Weeratunge, Ovina Ambanpola, Kevan Panapitiya, Hiruna Ranawaka, Ranuka Malaviaarachchi, Buda Cumarathunga, Hiruna Wickramasinghe, Thisaga Arthanayaka, Sanka Ranawaka, Gihan Munasinghaarachchige, Sehas Samarawickrame, Kavitha Bandara Kalpe, Nithike De Alwis, Ravindhu Gurusinghearachchige, Sanithu Meegasdeniya, Sahan Saranga, Thesandu Hewagampalage, Rashan Peiris (Head Coach), Nisansala Mendis (Assistant Coach), Lahiru Fernando (Assistant Coach), Prageeth Fernandopulle (Assistant Coach), D.M.K. Dissanayake (Master in charge)

(YK)

The International Cricket Council has urged Sri Lanka's scandal-ridden sporting community to come forward with information about corruption before an amnesty expires or risk expulsion from the game.

Sri Lankan cricket has been mired in corruption allegations in recent years, including claims of match fixing ahead of an international Test against England last year, and the sport's world governing body is in the middle of a major inquiry into the island nation.

The ICC said it had received a “positive response” after granting a 15-day amnesty this month for players, coaches or anyone else linked to the sport to come clean, free of the threat of punishment.

Council anti-corruption chief Alex Marshall said new cases had come to light and urged others to come forward before the amnesty expires on Thursday. “In the final few days, I would request the cricket fraternity to come forward and share any other information concerning corrupt conduct or approaches in the strictest of confidence,” he said in a statement issued late Monday. Those who refuse to share information with ICC investigators could face five-year bans if caught.

The ICC considers Sri Lanka the world's most corrupt cricketing nation and the sport's governance riddled with graft “from top to bottom”, Sri Lankan sports minister Harin Fernando said last month.

– AFP

Spinner Kavishka Senadheera and batsman Abhishek Anandakumar steered Trinity College to an innings and 83 runs over St. Anthony’s College Wattala in their ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 19 inter-school cricket match played at Asgiriya yesterday.

Senadheera took 11 Antonian wickets for 70 runs in the match and Anandakumar scored an unbeaten 111.

In the other matches Thurstan College beat St. Thomas College Matara by 7 wickets before lunch, and Moratu Vidyalaya, Vidyartha College Kandy, Loyola College Negombo, Ananda Sastralaya Kotte, Vijitha Central College Dickwella and Wayamba Royal College Kurunegala all won their matches.

RESULTS:

lAt Matara: Thurstan won by 7 wickets.

St.Thomas’ Matara: 60 and 70.

Thurstan: 61 and 70/3 (16/1 o/n) in 27.5 overs (Anju Karunanayake 24 n.o.)

lAt Kotahena: Match drawn.

St. Sylvester’s: 97 and 204/8 in 103 overs (Nadeera Balasuriya 50 n.o., Kevin Nimshan 31, Kasun Edirithilake 25, Pasan Hettiarachchi 24, Husindu Nissanka 23 n.o., Maheesh Theekshana 4/47, Kaveesha Jayathilake 2/23)

St. Benedict’s: 162 (160/9 o/n) in 59.1 overs (Brian Johnpille 41, Kaviru Perera 30, Hasindu Kavirathne 27, Manoharan Pavithran 5/33, Pasan Hettiarachchi 2/22)

lAt Moratuwa: Match drawn.

Dharmaraja: 178 and 125 in 54.1 overs (Kasun Gunawardane 74, Nuwanidu Fernando 4/7, Nadeera Fernando 2/37)

St. Sebastian’s: 234 (31/1 o/n) in 56 overs (Dunith Jayathunge 104, Vinuja Ranasinghe 49 n.o., Thushan Herath 6/57) and 23/1 in 2 overs

lAt Asgiriya: Trinity won by inns & 83 runs.

St. Anthony’s Wattala: 170 and 60 in 40.1 overs (Kavishka Senadheera 5/24, Uvindu Wimaladharma 2/11, Abishek Anandakumar 2/16)

Trinity: 313/7 decl. (114/0 o/n) in 57.1 overs (Abishek Anandakumar 111 n.o., Shane Gunathilake 72, Ashan Lokuthatiya 50, Pubudu Bandara 49, Kaveesha Dulannjana 4/84)

lAt Aaron's Country Club grounds Bulathsinhala: Match drawn.

Richmond: 120 and 205/5 decl. in 63.3 overs (Adithya Siriwardane 97, Dilum Sudeera 38, Vinuja Kiriella 32, Thaveesha Abishek 21, Nuwan Chanaka 2/33, Rishitha Sankalpa 2/43)

Gurukula Kelaniya: 231/9 decl. (168/3 o/n) in 79.2 overs (Kemira Nayanatharu 69, Nuwan Chanaka 55, Sugeeth Nimnada 3/46, Sandun Mendis 3/69, Kalpa Nethsara 2/29) and 31/1 in 7 overs

lAt Kurunegala: Moratu Vidyalaya won by inns & 2 runs.

Moratu Vidyalaya: 226.

St. Mary’s Kegalle: 110 (101/8 o/n) in 52.4 overs (Dishan Karunaratne 31, Nadith Mishendra 4/36, Eran Hansamal 3/28) and 114 in 53.4 overs (Gajitha Kotuwegoda 52, Dineth Weerasuriya 26, Chamalka Pushpakumara 4/8)

lAt Police Park Kandy: Vidyartha won by 8 wickets.

Sri Jayawardenapura MV Kotte: 138 and 106 in 30 overs (Lesuka Dinasara 26, Jayasundara Senavirathne 24, Pasindu Akarshana 20, Adithya Bandara 7/35, Medunaka Wijethilaka 3/26)

Vidyartha: 222 (219/8 o/n) in 55.3 overs (Kavishka Tennakoon 61, Dilshan Ratnayke 63, Jayasundara Seneviratne 4/42, Pasindu Akarshana 3/46) and 25/2 in 6 overs (Pasindu Akarshana 2/14)

lAt Ratgama: Match drawn.

Sri Devananda Ambalangoda: 211 and 211 (5/0 o/n) in 47.1 overs (Shohan de Livera 53, Chamika Perera 47, Heshan Milaksha 33, Anton Abishek 3/32, Anton Saraan 3/32, Murfin Abinash 3/76)

St. John’s Jaffna: 159 and 235/9 in 47 overs (Theiventhiran Dinoshan 79, Nagendrarajan Sowniyan 44, Murfin Abinash 35, Anthonypillai Sukethan 25, Chamindu Anushka 3/62, Samindu Pramod 2/45)

lAt Veyangoda: Match drawn.

St. John’s Nugegoda: 339/9 decl.

Bandaranayake Central Veyangoda: 85 (51/7 o/n) in 28.1 overs (Dhanuja Dewmith 21, Dinusha Mendis 6/30, Madushan Chamodya 2/10) and 261/7 in 101 overs (Prashan Mayantha 41 n.o., Salinda Hapuarachchi 36, Anjana Tharanga 34, Avishka Madushan 32 n.o., Arana Dabare 32, Movindu Lomith 26, Dinusha Mendis 2/46, Madushan Chamodya 2/76)

lAt Godigamuwa: Loyola Negombo won by 74 runs.

Loyola: 166 and 154 (54/4 o/n) in 50.5 overs (Dinidu Madushan 43, Shameen Nonis 30 n.o., Dilshan Perera 5/50, Nisala Akash 2/19, Duvindu Jayawardhane 2/38)

Gonsalves Pamunugama: 117 and 129 in 65.1overs (Pethum Priyashad 30, Duvindu Jayawardhane 22, Stephan Surindu 4/6, Samindu Shahen 3/48)

lAt Ruwanwella: Ananda Sastralaya Kotte won by 230 runs.

Ananda Sastralaya: 239 and 273/8 decl. in 53 overs (Dulantha Pehesara 71, Ashan Ishira 62, Isuru Avinda 37, Abilash Dinakara 31, Chamindu Sathmina 22 n.o., Kalana Madusanka 4/84, Amodya Heshan 3/60)

Seethawaka Central Avissawella: 166 (139/6 o/n) in 46.3 overs (Kalana Madusanka 59, S. Dilukshan 24,Thisara Dhananjaya 21, Avishka Dilshan 5/42, Abilash Dinakara 4/50) and 116 in 32.3 overs (S. Dilukshan 23, Kalana Madusanka 22, Kavindu Mihiranga 4/29, Vinuk Dilwan 2/3)

lAt Dickwella: Vijitha Central Dickwella won by 6 wickets.

Vijitha Central: 229 and 52/4 in 10.4 overs (Saumya Niwarthaka 3/17)

Sandalanka Central: 127 (78/5 o/n) in 53 overs (Nimesh Tharuka 45, Saumya Niwarthaka 31, Ravindu Kumara 22, Menusha Sachintha 5/22, Kushan Malinda 2/20) and 150 in 30.5 overs (Jalitha Chamod 38, Ulesh Harshana 31, Kasun Chathuranga 26, Rashmika Jayalath 24, Omesh Lakmal 5/62, Vihanga Kesara 2/29, Menusha Sachintha 2/32)

lAt Ampara: Wayamba Royal Kurunegala won by 7 wickets.

Wayamba Royal: 214 and 45/3 in12.2overs (Gavin Gunarathne 2/16)

D. S. Senanayake NS Ampara: 56 and 202 in 78overs (Hasantha Madhura 71 n.o, Navod Ransilu 42, Gavin Gunarathne 23, Kalpa Adithya 20, Harsha Devasinghe 2/15, Pethum Adikarinayake 2/27, Hasanka Jayawardhane 2/27)

DAY ONE SCORES

Matches will be continued today on day two.

lAt Ananda Mawatha: Ananda: 254 in 69.4 overs (Kanishka Ranthilakage 99, Kamesh Nirmal 40, Daminda Reshan 36, Sudeepa Agulugaha 29, Pasindu Tennakoon 5/79, Lasith Warnakulasooriya 3/33)

St. Anne's Kurunegala: 70/4 at close in 22.3 overs (Muiz Raseel 29)

lAt Pallekele: Kingswood: 235 in 91 overs (Dumindu Damsika 88, Achala Bogodawaththa 62, Devinda Dissanayake 40, Kaliq Amath 5/34, Ravindu Rathnayake 3/22) vs Isipathana.

lAt Kalutara: Royal Panadura: 110 in 37.1 overs (Dushantha Madusanka 36, Sachin Chamuditha 30, Samesh Madusanka 3/14, Rasanjana Aravinda 3/22, Kosala Ravinda 3/25) Tissa Central Kalutara: 268/4 at close in 62 overs (Ramesh Madusanka 129, Kosala Ravindu 69 n.o., Janith Lakruwan 36, Lakindu Chanchala 2/62)

lAt Henegama: Henegama Central: 94 in 27 overs (Pramith Darshana 47, Sandaruwan Chinthaka 6/22, Buddhika Kamesh 2/14, Yasith Rashmika 2/22) and 103/5 at close in 32 overs (Samith Wijenayake 54, Yasith Rashmika 2/13, Sandaruwan Chinthaka 2/36)

Galahitiyawa Central: 146 in 35.5 overs (Manujitha Ravishan 57, Sandaruwan Chinthaka 27, Samith Wijenayake 4/42, Pramith Darshana 3/54)

lAt Kalutara: Vidyaloka Galle: 234 in 61.1 overs (Sasindu Saumya 73, Sanju Lakshan 59, Sonal Ransara 40, Adeesha Nethmika 5/65, Madushan Chathuranga 3/38)

Welapura MV Kalutara: 56 in 20.5 overs (Venura Kumara 23, Nadeera Ishan 4/6, Hansaja Kamod 2/10) and 11/2 at close in 10 overs (Nadeera Ishan 2/9)

lAt Wennappuwa: St. Joseph’s Negombo: 166 in 42.2 overs (Vikum Fernando 47, Malith Kavinda 43, Uvindu Anjana 4/36, Sithum Induwara 2/14, Aryan Achintha 2/32) and 15/0 at close in 5 overs

Defence Services School Colombo: 148 in 46.2 overs (Sithum Induwara 31 n.o., Kaushal Vithanage 28, Malith Kavinda 4/37)

- (YK)

A ceremonial cricket match between Sri Lanka and Australia will be held in Canberra, Australia from February 1 to 5 marking Sri Lanka’s Independence Day 2019.

The cricket match at Manuka Oval in Canberra, is the first-ever Test Cricket Match in Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – Canberra, according to Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Australia Somasundaram Skandakumar.

“It will be a competitive as well as a ceremonial event for both countries and will invoke considerable interest among cricket fans,” High Commissioner Skandakumar told the Daily News at the Sri Lankan High Commission in Canberra.

Australia-Sri Lanka relations are marked by the love for sports, especially cricket which is adored in both countries, the High Commissioner said, marking Australia Day which fell on Saturday.

In addition, Adventure Race World Championship 2019 – Sri Lanka has now been announced.

This event will take place in Sri Lanka from December 3 – 13 and the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra was instrumental in initiating it.

This popular world event was inaugurated in 2001 and been held annually in various parts of the world. This year is the first time it will be staged in Asia.

DFCC Bank registered their fourth successive win, thereby to remain as the only unbeaten team in Group ‘A’, in the ongoing ‘Coca –Cola’ Trophy –MCA ‘D’ division 40 Over League Tournament 2019, continued last week-end (26th and 27th January)

DFCC Bank, chasing the moderate total of 165 runs in 40 Overs, set up by Heshan Flexi, reached their target in 37.2 overs with Amitha Jayaratne scoring a well compiled 72 not out.

The other noteworthy performances came from Madushan Fernando from David Pieris Motor Co. (68 not out Vs. Colombo Dockyard), Jeewantha Pradeep from Central Finance (87 Vs. Airport & Aviation), Lakshan de Silva from David Pieris Motor Co., (4 for 20 Vs. Colombo Dockyard), Ravindu Maduranga from NDB Bank (4 for 10 Vs. Hemas Group), Tharindu Vidanapathirana from Delmage (75 Vs. Softlogic Finance)

Week-end’s Match Results / Five Matches

l At Mattegoda : Central Finance beat Airport & Aviation by 54 runs.

Cen. Finance – 257/9 (40) (Jeewantha Pradeep 87, K. Silva 42, C. Jayanetti 25, U. Indrajith 21 not out, D.C. Karunaratne 3/33, N.H. Yapa 3/30)

A&A – 203 (36) (A. Sandeepa 41, M.N. Indika 35, N.H. Yapa 32, Vikum Costha 4/50, C. Jayanetti 2/18, R. Dilshan 2/27)

l At MCA: Delmage Group beat Softlogic Finance by 91 runs.

Delmage – 246 (38.4) ( Tharindu Widanapathirana 75, I. Vindana 45, D.Nalinda 35, S. Dheelanka 4/40, S. Christopher 2/50, A. Liyanage 2/45)

Softlogic Finance – 155 (33) (D. Faux 51, C. Kodituwakku 25, P. Balagama 2/30, M. Munasinghe 2/20, T. Vidanapathirana 2/30, R. Sandaruwan 2/12)

l At Veyangoda – DFCC Bank beat Heshan Flexi by 04 wickets

Heshan Flexi – 164 (34.5) (Hiruna Sigera 41, Malitha Lakshan 32, Samith Wijenayake 24, Pansilu Deshan 22, Amitha Jayarathna 2/18, Lakshitha Liyanage 2/30)

DFCC Bank – 168/6 ( 37.2) ( Amitha Jayarathna 72 not out, Geeno Lawrance 31, Pansilu Deshan 2/14, Lalith Prasanna 3/32)

l At Darley Road – DPMC beat Col. Dockyard by 07 wkts

Colombo Dockyard - 139 (39.3) (ST Rajamanthrie 53, Lakshan de Silva 4/21 Manjula Bandara 3/16, Mayura Dihan 2/26)

DPMC - 140/3 (22) (Madushan Fernando 68 not out, Gayanga Roshan 26, NU Kariyawasam 2/29)

l At Thurstan : NDB Bank beat Hemas Group by 06 wkts.

Hemas Group - 87 (27.3) (Chandana Batuwita 23 not out, Ravindu Maduranga 4/10, Sekar Anojtharan 2/16, Nimesh Fonseka 2/20)

NDB Bank - 91/4 (25.5) (Muditha Elpitiya 36)

Weerapuranappu Model School beat St. Joseph’s College, Colombo on first innings by 69 runs in their inter school under 13 division three tournament second round cricket match played at Moratuwa. Batting first homesters scored 230 runs

with Vihanga Sathsara scoring 58 runs and Damien claimed 4 for 52. In reply at stums Josaphians were all out for 161 runs with Anjelo scoring 61 runs and Samiru Sulakshana capturing 5 for 38 runs.

Weera Puranappu MS - 230 - Vihanga Sathsara 58, Ason Hashen 45, Damien 4/52, Semneth 2/61

St. Joseph’s - 161 - Anjelo 61, Samiru Sulakshana 5/38, Shenal Sashmika 3/21

Drawn match at Pitipana

Another game in the same division and same age group and in the second round St. Benedict’s College drew with Mahinda Rajapakse College, Homagama at Pitipana. Batting first homesters declared at 230 for 3 with Chanithu Anuditha scoring 73 runs and Roshan Gunawardene unbeaten on 52 runs and at the close Bens were 132 for 3 with Akesh Lowrenz unbeaten on 78 runs.

Mahinda Rajapakse Colleg - 230/3 in 57 overs - Chanith Anuditha 73, Chethaka Nushan 37, Roshan Gunawardene 52 n/o, Ashen Shaminda 26 n/o

St. Benedicts - 132/3 in 43 overs - Nethaka Wijerathne 33 n/o, Akesh Lawrenz 78 n/o, Roshan Gunawardene 2/19

A snap goal, late in the second half, scored by S. Bala gave Old Bens SC Veterans a thrilling 1/0 win over Muthuwella SC Veterans in the semifinals of the ‘Thilak Peiris’ Trophy, All Island Masters 11-a-side Football Tournament 2018, at Cooray Park, Wellawatte on January 27.

In the other semifinal played on Saturday, January 26 at the same venue, Maligawatte SC Veterans beat the Super Stars SC Veterans, 1/Nil. The ninth edition of the tournament is conducted by Sri Lanka Soccer Masters Association inaugurated in 1994.

Old Bens SC who has won the title four times in the past, is led by M. Roshan and managed by Athula Perera.

The final between the Old Bens SC and Maligawatte SC will take place on Sunday, February 10 at Campbell Park, commencing at 4.30 pm.

The Travel Trade Sports Club will kick-start their multi events sports calendar 2019 early this time with the Archery Championships, sponsored once again, by Yenesha Travels, Seeduwa.

The fifth edition of the tournament is confirmed to be held on February 15 at the Colombo Archery School, CR&FC, Longdon Place, commencing 5.00 pm.

Entries have been called from the 170 strong TTSC Membership, closing on Monday, 11 th February with Ms. Gayani Karunaratne, C/O Aitken Spence Travels, Vauxhall Tower II, 04th floor, Vauxhall Street, Colombo 2.

At the previous tournament held on Februara 22, 2018 at the same venue, Aitken Spence Travels ‘A’ regained the title beating Serendib Leisure Hotels ‘A’ team. Serendib Leisure Hotels ‘B’ team won the third place beating Green Holiday Centre ‘A’ team.

The next three weekends, is going to be crucial for Kandy Sports Club in the current Dialog rugby league tournament as Sri Lanka Rugby has decided to conduct a knockout league amongst the first four teams in the table to decide which team should be awarded the trophy.

This is unfair by Kandy SC as they have to play most of their matches in Colombo, besides the players are exhausted and the expenses are very high. The SLR doesn’t contribute in any way to the club and arranging additional matches is beyond the clubs reach financially.

As current table leaders Kandy SC will probably finish on top and deserve the trophy. The good news is the defending champions will be close to full strength for these games. They need to be able to withstand the pressure against CH & FC, CR & FC and Havelock SC.

Kandy SC need to beat each of these teams, if they are to win the league for the 20th time. They are under the chairmanship of former St. Anthony’s College, CH & FC, Kandy SC and Sri Lanka center Lasantha Wijesuriya, and they’ve got a very professional set-up comprising coach Sean Wijesinghe, assistant coach Fazil Marija and team manager Kapila Silva.

In the first round they beat all the clubs they met, Air Force SC, Army SC, Police SC, Navy SC, CR & FC, CH & FC and Havelock SC. In the second round they lost to Army SC and beat Navy SC, Air Force SC and Police SC. Last Saturday they crushed Navy Sports Club 63-31 in a try-fest at Nittawela.

In the last game against the sailors it took just 19 seconds for Kandy SC to take the lead from the rapidly advancing sailors, who took time to handle the ball and failed to take any points in the first quarter of the game.

Kandy ran the ball well in the first half to sore four tries against two, and at the final whistle Kandy SC had doubled it with 8 tries, one penalty try against Navy SC’s 5.

Rajan Thilina Wijesinghe created a good impression by pocketing 36-points from four tries and eight conversions. He leads as the highest points scorer.

The annual Inter-House Athletic Meet of the Musaeus College will be held tomorrow (Feb.1) at the Nondescripts Cricket Club grounds, Colombo 7, commencing at 12.00 noon. The president of the National Academy of Science Sri Lanka A. M. Mubarak will be the chief guest whil his wife Dr Chithrangani Mubarak will be the guest of honour.

CAPE TOWN, Tuesday - South Africa captain Faf du Plessis picked hosts England and 2011 champions India as the title favourites for this year’s Cricket World Cup and said his side will go into the tournament with lowered expectations, which could work to their advantage.

South Africa’s World Cup adventures have often ended in unfortunate circumstances — including falling foul of an unfair rain rule, misreading the Duckworth–Lewis run-rate requirement, or comical run outs at the death.

Four years ago they seemed to have one foot in the final until New Zealand pipped them in a thrilling semi-final by belting a six off the penultimate ball of the match.

Such results have led to South Africa being labelled ‘chokers’ at the 50-over event, and in turn has lowered their expectations for the 30 May to July 14 tournament.

“We will go with a little bit less pressure on us as a team in terms of the expectation of winning it,” Du Plessis, who team are ranked fourth in the ODI standings, said on Tuesday.

“It is pretty clear that England and India are the two favourites.

“We are a young group and the guys are just excited about the opportunity.”

However, Du Plessis is aware that South Africa will still have to deal with a lot of hype in the run-up and during the tournament as well as the narrative of their past failures.

“We have gone to tournaments in the past where we have felt like we had the strongest team on paper, but cricket is not played on paper,” he said.

“When opponents look at us now, we are not the strongest team. But when a South Africa team goes to the World Cup, the chat in the media starts, even the opposition starts to chat!”

MENTAL CHALLENGE

Du Plessis believes managing the mental side will be key for his squad, which is expected to include 10 debutants.

“I remember going through the process of the previous World Cup (in 2015),” he said. “Going through the hurt of putting in so much time and energy into trying to win a trophy, and by the end you are absolutely shattered.

“Yes, all of us badly want to win a World Cup but for me as a captain, it is very important to make sure that players don’t try to be supermen to win.

“I have felt like we have been guilty of that in the past ... and that expectation can (put) a lot of weight on your shoulders.

“They just need to go there and be the best they can be.”

The World Cup will be played in a round-robin format with all 10 nations pitted against each other in the first round and the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals.

South Africa open their campaign against England at The Oval on May 30. – Agencies

CANBERRA, Wednesday: Canberra’s first-ever Test match is set to be played in front of a near full house, with only a few thousand tickets remaining for the opening three days of the match at Manuka Oval.

The sold-out sign has already gone up for day two of the second Domain Test between Australia and Sri Lanka, while just 2500 tickets remain for Friday’s opening day and 4500 for day three on Sunday.

Saturday’s local Premier (club) Cricket games have been called off to ensure cricket lovers can attend the Test.

Manuka Oval, a multi-purpose venue that holds 12,000 fans for cricket, will become just the 11th Test venue in Australia following years of lobbying from Cricket ACT to host a match in the nation’s capital.

The ground has hosted nine one-day internationals in the past as well as the annual Prime Minister’s XI clash, but this will be its first taste of the five-day format.

“There’s been a lot of people who have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears to try and get a Test match,” Cricket ACT chief executive James Allsopp told AAP.

“We’d love to host a Test every summer, but the reality is that’s not going to happen.

“All we can control is that the Test … is really iconic and a really special occasion that is a great representation (of) Canberra and regional cricket, then we can get as much internationals as possible in the future.”

Having unveiled the ground’s new media centre just before Christmas, Cricket ACT has also erected a temporary stand with a roof on the eastern side of the ground to provide more shaded areas for fans during the Test and the KFC BBL game between Sydney Thunder and Hobart Hurricanes on February 9.

The summer heat in the nation’s capital can be extreme, but the forecast for the opening two days of the Test is for mild temperatures in the mid-to-late 20s before rising to 34 degrees Celsius on Sunday and Monday.

On Tuesday, the ACT government committed a further $2.7 million to add more permanent shaded areas to the ground later this year.

“We’re investing in the infrastructure here with a long-term view,” said ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr.

“It’s not going to hundreds of millions of dollars, and the intent here is not to turn Manuka Oval into a mini-MCG. This has to remain the best boutique cricket and AFL venue in the country.”