The 31st Youth Services Sports Festival scheduled to be held from 26th to 29th September at the Sugathadasa Staium has been postponed due to inclement weather, According to the National youth service Chairman the new dates will be notified later.
More than 3000 athletes from all over the country are expected to take part in this event. (DR)
The first unofficial cricket test between the Sri Lanka ‘A’ and touring Bangladesh ‘A’ which was scheduled to be held at FTZ Sports Complex (BOI), Katunayake was abandoned by match officials due to inclement weather. The first day of the contest was washed out without a ball being bowled and the story was the same on the second day too.
The persistent rain didn’t even let the players have a practice session and after lunch on day two match umpires Rohitha Kottahachchi and Deepal Gunawardene decided to end the wait and announce the match abandoned.
The second unofficial test will begin on 30 September at Galle International Stadium.
Trinity College are determined to perform well. They have proved after their win in their first outing that they are all out to give a good display during the 2019/20 inter-school cricket season.
Trinity will field a talented and experienced side packed with no less than seven experienced players and they look forward to a successful season. They won the first game against St. Servatius College last week. Their second game against Mahanama College which was to be played on Friday and Saturday has been postponed to another date.
Damika Kulatunga who played for Trinity in 2002/3 as an all-rounder is in charge of the cricket squad for the last three years and admits that the side is up to a good standard with some of last year players adding experience. It should be said that Trinity is one of the oldest cricket playing schools in the country, they not only produced several top class cricketers but also produced even invincible teams. This school provides all facilities for the sport. They have a superb indoor net, bowling machine, an international standard ground and a sporting Principal Andrew Fowler-Watt who gives the cricketers all encouragement.
They are fortunate to have the services of their former cricketer Kavinda Jayasuriya as the head coach who has done a good job in the last few years. His assistant coaches are Lahiru Sandakelum and Naveen Ekanayake, the team physiotherapist is Lasantha Herath, traineer Shantha Kumara Wickramanayake and POG Shean de Silva along with the cricket wing of the Old Trinitians.
Trinity are led by Lion winner Ruvin Peries who is one of the most senior player of the side, a stylish right handed batsmen and a good bowler. He is a Sri Lanka schools under 19 player who is in good form and should lead the side from the front as he did to win the first game last week. Much is expected from this cricketer. Peries’ deputy is Abhishek Anandakumara another Lion winner who did a good job with the bat in the opening game against St. Servatius College where he went on to score 110. He is a fine right hand bat and an off spinner who is sure to do well. There is Shane Gunatillake a colorsman who is an excellent left-hand bat with good batting display last season, Umari Raizan is also a coloursman who is a steady right handed batsmen and a right arm leg spinner, Agbo Amarasinghe, a senior player and a technically correct right hand bat, Ranuda Somaratne, a good right hand bat, Kavindu Dias a right and bat and orthodox bowler, Matheesha Pathiraja, a right arm pace bowler who took a haul of seven wickets for six runs in the first match of the season, Amarasinghe a steady right hand bat, Uvindu Wimaladarma, a good left handed stroke maker who bowls leg spin are some of the senior players Trinity will depend on during the season.
The squad of the season is made out of players like Ruvin Peiris, Abhishek Anandakumara, Shane Gunathilake, Umair Raizan, Uvindu Wimaladarma, Dinitha Siriwardena, Agbo Amarasinghe, Jeff Weerasinghe, Kavindu Dias, Ranuda Somaratne, Thewin Amarasinghe, Matheesha Pathiraja, Ranuda Somaratne, Urindu Wimaladharma, Manuila Kularatna, Vibawith Ehelapoka, Supun Waduge.
Fixtures: Sep 20-21 played St. Servatius College at Asgiriya and won, 27-28 v Mahanama College at Asgiriya (postponed), Oct 4-5 v St. Thomas’ College, Matara at Asgiriya, 11-12 v St. Josephs Vaz College, Wennappuwa at Asgiriya, 18-19 v St. Peter’s College at Bambalapitiya, 21-22 v Richmond College at Galle, 25-26 v St. Benedict’s College at Asgiriya, Nov 1-2 v St. Sebastian’s College at Asgiriya, 27-28 v Nalanda College at Asgiriya.
2020 January 3-4 v Lumbini College at Asgiriya, 10-11 v Zahira College at Maradana, 17-18 v St. Josephs College at Darley Road, 24-25 v Wesley College at Cambell Park, 31-Feb 1 v Ananda College in Colombo, 7-8 v St. Sylvester’s College at Asgiriya, 15 - annual Old boys match at Asgiriya, 20-21 v S. Thomas’ College at Asgiriya, 28-29 v Royal College at Asgiriya, Mar 14-15 Big match v St. Anthony’s College at Asgiriya (104th Kandy Battle of the Blues), 21 – one-day against St. Anthony’s College at Katugastota.
The CEAT Racing Team clinched its second Car Team championship in three weeks at the Walawa Supercross organised by the Sri Lanka Army Regiment of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) on 22 nd September, continuing its hi-Octane performances of the 2019 racing season.
The team’s Ushan Perera was adjudged Champion Driver of the Walawa Supercross and with team mate Malika Kuruwitaarachchi took the Car Team Championship after Ushan Perera won the SLGT Super Car Race 2 and was placed third in the SLGT Super Car Race 1, and Malika Kuruwitaarachchi won the Subaru Legacy event.
In all, the CEAT Racing Team accounted for eight podium finishes, with motorcycling ace Jacques Gunewardena winning Race 1 of the MX 250cc event and taking second place in Race 2, Upulwan Serasinghe winning the Ford Laser 1300cc event and coming in third in the Ford Laser 1500cc event, and Colonel Duminda Jayasinghe finishing second in the SLH 1600cc event.
The CEAT Racing Team also dominated the Gajaba Supercross earlier in September, winning both the Car and Bike team championships at the Saliyapura circuit in Anuradhapura.
Madrid, Tuesday: Lionel Messi endured yet more injury frustration on Tuesday after going off at half-time against Villarreal but Barcelona gave their coach Ernesto Valverde some much-needed relief with a comfortable 2-1 victory.
Messi received treatment in the first half for what looked like a problem with his left thigh and was then unable to continue after the interval, replaced by Ousmane Dembele.
His withdrawal will be a major concern for Barca, particularly given this was Messi’s first start of the season after just recovering from a niggling calf injury sustained at the start of August.
After the match, Valverde struck a note of calm.
“When something happens to Messi, everyone stops, not only on the field, but in the stands as well,” he said.
“It is a small problem in the adductor and as a precaution we have decided not to risk it. In theory, it is nothing more but we will see tomorrow how it is.”
Barcelona visit Getafe in La Liga on Saturday before playing Inter Milan at home in the Champions League four days later. Certainly, they would have been eager to see Messi back in their line-up, having suffered a humbling 2-0 loss at newly-promoted Granada last weekend, a result that left them with seven points from five games, their worst start to a season since 1995.
They arrived at Camp Nou with doubts hovering, particularly over Valverde, but delivered a far more convincing win than the scoreline suggested, thanks to early goals from Antoine Griezmann, his third of the season, and Arthur Melo.
“We are still far from our best but with matches everything will improve,” said Griezmann.
On his own adaptation at Barcelona, he added: “It’s different. A different style of football, a different position. I knew it was going to be a challenge and it would take time.
“But I’m not too bad, right? Three goals. I can do better, yes, but I have to keep working.”
Santi Cazorla put Villarreal in touch on the stroke of half-time but in truth the visitors barely threatened thereafter, with Barcelona impressively composed when nerves might easily have taken over.
It means Valverde’s side climb to fourth in the table, one point behind Real Madrid and level on points with Atletico Madrid, who both play on Wednesday. Villarreal’s encouraging start stalls a little as they drop to eighth. Granada, who backed up their shock win over Barca with a 1-1 draw at Real Valladolid, top the table, although both Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid can move three points above them when they play their games on Wednesday.
Barcelona started well, with Griezmann heading in after just six minutes, darting to the near post to flick home Messi’s floated corner. The pair shared a celebratory hug too.
Seven minutes later, there was a second and another goal almost from nothing. Arthur collected the ball 30 yards out and harpooned a shot straight past Sergio Asenjo and into the top right-hand corner.
Messi, who won FIFA’s Men’s Player of the Year award on Monday, took treatment on the sideline just after the half-hour mark and Cazorla pulled one back soon after with a swerving effort from distance.
The ball straightened as it flew, which fooled goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, on his way left towards the corner.
Dembele replaced Messi and the 16-year-old Ansu Fati came on for Luis Suarez with 12 minutes left. Fati twice went close but shot over and then wide. A third for Barca looked more likely than an equaliser for Villarreal. - AFP
Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Dinesh Chandimal will join the Army as a Commissioned Officer, Army spokesman Major General Sumith Atapattu said yesterday.
Chandimal will be enlisted as Commissioned Officer at the Army headquarters today.
According to the media spokesperson, the rank for the respective post will be revealed later.
Close sources said that Chandimal will be ranked as a major for the post. He will be enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force of the Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps, according to the Army Cricket Committee.
Maj. Gen. Atapattu said that Chandimal’s request had been accepted by the Defence Ministry and that he is expected to play for the Sri Lanka Army cricket team.
The Army spokesman added that the former national captain would have to face an entrance exam in the near future.
Close officials from the Sri Lanka Army Cricket team also revealed that two more senior players will join the Army in the near future and discussions were currently taking place.
Chandimal was a key member of 2012 ICC World Twenty20 runner-up team and 2014 ICC World Twenty20 winning team. He led Sri Lanka in the group stage of the 2014 ICC World Twenty20.
The 2019 So Sri Lanka Pro World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 event organised by the Sri Lanka Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka together with the Ministry of Sports and National Olympic Committee commenced yesterday morning at Arugam Bay in the presence of a large gathering of Surfing fans from all over the world.
Amapara District Secretary D. M. L. Banadaranayake along with the Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Kishu Gomas and Director General Eastern Province Tourism Promotion Bureau A. S. Fayis, LSC Chairman P. Thilak Weerasinghe, Sri Lanka Surfing Federation President Hiran Ukwatte were present at the ceremonial inauguration.
Altogether 22 local surfers competed in the initial stage where out of 10 qualifiers were from the Argam Bay Surfing Association. In yesterday’s preliminary round event 32 surfers including 16 local wild card entries and 16 foreign competitors competed and 16 were selected for the next stage.
LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed its match officials for Pakistan’s home series against Sri Lanka starting from Oct 27 in Karachi with the first of the thee One-day Internationals before the teams clash for three T20s in Lahore.
While Australian David Boon has been appointed as the ICC match referee, two ICC Elite Panel Umpires, namely Michael Gough and Joel Wilson are also appointed for the ODI series. In 2015, Zimbabwe became the first international side to tour Pakistan after the attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009. But the ICC had refused to appoint it’s match officials then, citing security fears.
In 2018, however, the global cricket-governing body appointed Boon as the match-referee for the T20 series for a home series against West Indies.
Gough had visited Karachi earlier this year for the HBL Pakistan Super League. From Pakistan, world prominent umpire Aleem Dar, also from the elite panel, has been appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board as a home umpire for the third ODI to be played on Oct 2, as well as for all the three T20Is to be played on Oct 5, 7 and 9.
Ahsan Raza, Shozab Raza and Asif Yaqoob, all on the ICC Panel of International Umpires, will also officiate during the forthcoming series.
KARACHI: All Sindh government departments and law enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure coordinated efforts for successful holding of three one-day international matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, scheduled for Sept 27, 29 and Oct 2.
These instructions were issued by Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah while presiding over a meeting to review arrangements including provision of foolproof security during Pak-Lanka series to be played at the National Stadium Karachi.
Highlighting the importance of the series, the chief secretary said negligence from duty would not be tolerated. He advised Sindh police to maintain a well-organised security system such as the one used for PSL matches in the recent past when the series was accomplished smoothly with no major complaints.
The meeting was attended among others by secretaries of sports, home, health, local government and public health engineering departments, besides Karachi commissioner and officials of Pakistan Cricket Board, law enforcement agencies and army.
KAMAISHI, WEDNESDAY: Underdogs Uruguay pulled off the greatest win in their history to beat Fiji 30-27 Wednesday, the first upset at the Rugby World Cup in Japan after a pulsating game at the Kamaishi Recovery Stadium.
The South Americans had only ever won two games at the World Cup and are ranked nine places below the more celebrated Pacific islanders, whom they had never beaten.
But they capitalised on an error-strewn performance by Fiji, whose hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages now hang by a thread.
Uruguay's captain Juan Gaminara broke down in tears at the end of the game, saying: “We are not the biggest, we are not the tallest but we came here to win.” “Since we qualified, we have been thinking about this game and you saw the passion. I'm really proud,” added Gaminara, whose squad contains several players with semi-professional status.
The thrilling game had a much deeper significance as it was played in Kamaishi, one of the towns hardest-hit by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated north-eastern Japan.
The stadium, the only purpose-built venue at the Rugby World Cup, was built on the site of a school destroyed by the waves and hosting the match was seen as a powerful sign of recovery.
As Japan's Crown Prince Akishino looked on, the crowd observed a moment's silence to remember the more than 1,000 people killed in the tsunami, several children in the crowd removing their caps and bowing their heads in prayer.
With emotions running high, Fiji were first on the scoresheet in the seventh minute, Mesulame Dolokoto dotting down to complete a slick line-out move that came after a delightful chip and catch by fullback Alivereti Veitokani. But Uruguay showed immediately they were not there to make up the numbers and hit back via a mazy run from scrum-half Santiago Arata, one of the smallest players on the pitch, who evaded several tackles before touching down under the posts for an easy conversion.
Fiji's huge forward superiority eventually told as prop Eroni Mawi bundled over from close range. But Uruguay refused to go away and again took the lead as No 8 Manuel Diana barged over for a converted try.
And the minnows leapt further ahead with 26 minutes on the clock, Juan Manuel Cat finishing off a flowing move down the left. A penalty just before half-time gave battling Uruguay a deserved 24-12 lead at the break.
Fiji had taken a shock lead of their own into the second half of their defeat by Australia, but this time they found themselves needing a dramatic comeback.
After Josh Matavesi missed a relatively simple penalty that would have steadied the nerves, lock Api Ratuniyarawa finished off a move that featured a sensational off-load.
And replacement scrum-half Nikola Matawalu dived over following an outrageous dummy to closed the gap to 22-27 and set up a nail-biting last 10 minutes.
Fiji threw everything at Uruguay, but a Felipe Berchesi penalty took them out of sight and they clung on for dear life in the final stages, Matawalu's last-minute try not enough to prevent victory.
The Pacific islanders, who were seen as an outside bet to cause a shock of their own in Pool D that includes Wales and Australia, were left to rue a comedy of errors including several relatively simple missed kicks.
A disconsolate captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu said: “Everything went wrong today. It's not the result we wanted. It's not how we wanted the game to go today. We underestimated a very good Uruguay team."
AFP
Samoa’s Lee-Lo, Matu’u cited over foul play
TOKYO, WEDNESDAY: Cardiff Blues centre Rey Lee-Lo and London Irish hooker Motu Matu'u were cited on Wednesday for acts of foul play in Samoa's bruising 34-9 World Cup opening win over Russia.
The pair will attend hearings before an independent judicial committee at a date to be agreed with the players and their representatives. Samoa winger Ed Fidow also received a citing commissioner warning for an act of foul play in the same match.
“This remains on his disciplinary record in the event that he accumulates any combination of three warnings or yellow cards during the tournament,” World Rugby said in a statement.
- AFP
Madrid, Tuesday: Lionel Messi endured yet more injury frustration on Tuesday after going off at half-time against Villarreal but Barcelona gave their coach Ernesto Valverde some much-needed relief with a comfortable 2-1 victory.
Messi received treatment in the first half for what looked like a problem with his left thigh and was then unable to continue after the interval, replaced by Ousmane Dembele.
His withdrawal will be a major concern for Barca, particularly given this was Messi’s first start of the season after just recovering from a niggling calf injury sustained at the start of August. After the match, Valverde struck a note of calm.
“When something happens to Messi, everyone stops, not only on the field, but in the stands as well,” he said.
“It is a small problem in the adductor and as a precaution we have decided not to risk it. In theory, it is nothing more but we will see tomorrow how it is.”
Barcelona visit Getafe in La Liga on Saturday before playing Inter Milan at home in the Champions League four days later. Certainly, they would have been eager to see Messi back in their line-up, having suffered a humbling 2-0 loss at newly-promoted Granada last weekend, a result that left them with seven points from five games, their worst start to a season since 1995.
They arrived at Camp Nou with doubts hovering, particularly over Valverde, but delivered a far more convincing win than the scoreline suggested, thanks to early goals from Antoine Griezmann, his third of the season, and Arthur Melo.
“We are still far from our best but with matches everything will improve,” said Griezmann.
On his own adaptation at Barcelona, he added: “It’s different. A different style of football, a different position. I knew it was going to be a challenge and it would take time.
“But I’m not too bad, right? Three goals. I can do better, yes, but I have to keep working.”- AFP
LAHORE: The Sri Lankan cricket team’s tour to Pakistan will prove to be a boost for the country’s cricket and its prospect to host other international sides in the future, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ehsan Mani has said.
The Islanders landed in Karachi on Tuesday and are set to take on the hosts in three One-day Internationals in the metropolis’ National Stadium, with the first game on Friday.
This is Sri Lanka’s second visit to Pakistan after the 2009 attack on their team bus in Lahore. The Lankans played a T20 in October 2017. Lahore will host three T20s from October 5-9 after the Karachi one-dayers.
“Despite the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009 they have come to Pakistan and it is a big gesture and like a fresh gust for Pakistan cricket,” Mani said during the series’ logo unveiling ceremony at the Gaddafi Stadium.
“We hope soon the other international teams will also come.”
Mani said PCB and and Sri Lanka Cricket share a special bond and the former played it’s part to strengthen the relationship when it did not cancel the Pakistan Under-19 team’s tour to Sri Lanka despite terrorist attacks in Colombo on the occasion of Easter this year.
“The PCB has also showed the same gesture of love earlier after Colombo was rocked by the terrorists activities as our junior team was ready for its scheduled visit to Sri Lanka and that shows both the countries have exemplary relations which will be strengthened further with this visit of the Sri Lankan team,” said the PCB chief.
Mani said Pakistan had also played a very active role to help Sri Lanka to get Test status from the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the past.
Mani credited the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for playing a big part in bringing back international cricket to the country while prominent efforts were being made in the last three years to convince international teams to visit Pakistan.
He said the PCB would welcome all the players who want to visit Pakistan in the future. He said in the fourth edition of the PSL, almost 35 foreign players were in Pakistan, which showed they had the trust on the security arrangements.
Mani urged local fans to visit the stadiums when Pakistan and Sri Lanka take on each other in the limited-overs matches. The PCB chief hoped the series will witness full-packed stands at the National Stadium and the Gaddafi Stadium.
Hiruni Wijayaratne, Sri Lanka’s lone representative at the 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships scheduled to be held from September 27 to October 6 in Doha, Qatar, will be aiming to run smart in the harsh and barren environment in the Middle Eastern desert nation in a bid to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The women’s marathon is scheduled to begin at 2.29 a.m. (Sri Lanka time) on Saturday, the final event on the first day of the championship in Doha. Hiruni qualified for the event after winning a silver at the Dusseldorf marathon clocking 2:34.10 while renewing her National record and setting a new South Asian record.
“Since I returned home after the Nationals, I have focussed on very marathon specific work. Prior to the last encounter in Colombo, I was focussed on the National championship and having a good performance there. But since I returned home to the US, I have been running a lot of kilometres, sometimes almost 200 kilometres a week while focusing on marathon pace and marathon strategy specific training,” said Hiruni in an interview with the Daily News.
“Also I know it’s going to be very warm in Doha. I think the expected temperatures is about 35 degrees Celsius. So I have been doing some heat related preparations so that I am acclimated to the harsh conditions in Doha,” said Hiruni who arrived in Doha yesterday morning after a 26-hour flight with a stopover in London.
Hiruni is overwhelmed with pride at being Sri Lanka’s representative but is realistic about her targets in the marathon.
“As the only athlete in Sri Lanka athletics to participate in this year's world championships my main goal and my own goal is to perform as well as possible on the international stage. As I mentioned before, I know that the weather is not going to be conducive to running a fast time. I don’t think anybody will be there to run a fast time especially in an event like the marathon where you are out there for more than two hours in the heat,” said Hiruni, 28, a dual Sri Lanka-American citizen who has her roots firmly grounded in her country of birth despite being based in Boulder, Colorado where she works for a technology company.
“So my goal is to be as competitive as possible. If you finish among top 10 in marathon field it is an automatic qualification for the Tokyo Olympics. If you finish in the top 20 in the field, then you get points to add towards your world rankings so that you have a very good opportunity to be in the Tokyo Olympics. So those are my two main targets,” she said.
“There will be other opportunities for me to run a fast time to renew the national record. Those are all things in my radar and my aspirations. But as an athlete and as an intelligent competitor, it’s my job to respect the conditions that I will be walking into, and to be prepared mentally and physically to compete,” said Hiruni, who has a Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing.
“I hope that the people of Sri Lanka and my supporters and my friends and family will be part of my achievements regardless of what I do. But most importantly, I want to be part of myself because I want to know that I gave it a 110 per cent, to give forth my best performance on that day,” said the former student of St. Bridget’s Convent.
“I do feel some pressure to perform well in Doha. As the only athlete I think it’s a great responsibility, a wonderful responsibility bestowed upon my shoulders to make our nation proud. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be there. And ofcourse I have dreamt about performing well and lifting the Sri Lankan flag high above my shoulders after a very good performance which will hopefully have qualified me for the Olympics,” she said.
“But even if that’s not the case, me just being there and for people of Sri Lanka to have an athlete representing our motherland in myself, I think is a great achievement. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be in Doha and am very grateful for the support that I have received from Sri Lankans near and far to continue to succeed in my athletic career,” said Hiruni.
Day two of the SLT Speedup Cycle Sawariya started from Embilipitiya on its way to Bandarawela yesterday and the cyclists travelled through Ambalantota, Hambantota, Weerawila, Wellawaya, Ella to reach Bandarawela covering a distance of 156 km.
The race was flagged off by Sanjaya Kumara, Deputy General Manager (SLT) - Sabaragamuwa Province.
The winner of day two was Sujith Hasantha of Sri Lanka Port Authority team.
The first and second runners-up were Chamod de Silva of Sri Lanka Port Authority team and Janaka Hemantha of Sri Lanka Navy team respectively.
On day one the Tour Leader Jersey was received by Chamika Sandun Kumara of Sri Lanka Navy team while Chamod de Silva of Sri Lanka Port Authority received the Best Young Rider Jersey.
Chamika Sandun Kumara of Sri Lanka Navy team received the Best Sprinter Jersey along with team mate Nihal Silva.
The King of the Mountain Jersey was won by Viran Ramesh of Sri Lanka Port Authority.
All these jersey winners will travel to the finishing line wearing their jerseys.
The third day of the race today starts at 9.00am from Bandarawela and will travel through Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and to the finish at Kurunegala.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Sri Lanka Cricket announced the schedule for forthcoming Sri Lanka’s tour of India during the month of January 2020.
Sri Lanka will play a three-match T20I series against India.
In the wake of Zimbabwe’s suspension by ICC, the BCCI invited Sri Lanka to participate in the three-match series. Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed the participation and the itinerary is as follows:
5 Jan: 1st T20 at Guwahati
7 Jan: 2nd T20 at Indore
10 Jan: 3rd T20 at Pune
A team of 10 young sailors has qualified to represent Sri Lanka at the IODA (International Optimist Dinghy Association) Championships for Asia and Oceania. The event will be held off the coast of Mussanah, Oman during the first week of October 2019.
“This event is the top-ranked event on the sailing calendar for our junior sailors, and we are delighted that we are able to field a full team this year”, says Yachting Association of Sri Lanka (YASL) Sailing Convener, Asanka Goonewardene. “Participating in this event is a great opportunity for our young sailors to compete alongside the best in the world, and the experience they gain and bring back with them is invaluable for the development of the sport at the school and national level”.
The Sri Lankan team for IODA 2019 comprises children from St. Thomas’s College, Mt. Lavinia, Ladies’ College, Colombo, and Royal College, Colombo. The competitors are: Shashenka Fernando, Enalka de Silva, and brothers Dhanika, Nikhil and Tharen Nanayakkara (St. Thomas’s), Tarini de Silva, Lara Gunawardana and Taalya Tranchell (Ladies College) and Udan Marapperuma and Manthisa Gunasekara (Royal College).
The team was selected after trials conducted in June this year by the Yachting Association of Sri Lanka, and approved by both the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Education. Since then, the team has been training hard under experienced National Coach Krishan Janaka, with the support of Sri Lanka’s Olympian sailor Lalin Jirasinghe and the assistance of YASL and the Sri Lanka Navy. The Team Manager is Jayantha Gunasekara, who is also the Teacher-in-Charge of Royal College Sailing.
The Ceylon Motor Yacht Club has also been magnanimous in its support and encouragement for youth sailing over the course of many years, and has generously provided its premises and facilities on the Bolgoda Lake for school-children to train. This team has benefited greatly from the support of the CMYC.
This year the team has also been extremely fortunate to garner the support of TASS, who came forward to provide physical training for the team as a sponsorship package.
TASS specialises in developing tailor-made physical training programmes to improve strength and conditioning for individual sports.
Sports Scientist Thanura Abeywardena and his team have come onboard to help the young sailors to achieve the level of fitness they need to compete at international level, focusing on strength, conditioning and injury prevention. The structured physical training programme has been invaluable to the young athletes and the generous support of TASS is greatly appreciated by both the team and YASL.
Even in the short space of time that TASS had to work with the athletes, Coach Janaka says there is a noticeable improvement in their on-the-water performance.
Moratu Vidyalaya one of the leading cricket playing schools in division one which has produced cricketers of the calibre of Ajantha Mendis, Nisha Madushka, Sanka Ramesh, Lucky Rogers, Chandana Mahesh, Athula Wickramatilleke, Gamini Perera, Suminda Priyankara to mention a few will be captained by sixth year player and wicket keeper middle order left hand bat Madushan Dilakshana Ferdinando and his deputy will be Roshan Kavishka and they are coached by old vidyalian Prasanna Dissanayake and the master in charge is Rasika Chaminda under the guidance of the Principal Hemasiri Athaudage.
This season they are down to play fifteen matches excluding the big match with their arch rivals Sri Sumangala Collage Panadura.
Already they have, played their first game against St. Anthony’s College Wattala which ended in a draw.
Madushan’s first year in the first eleven team was in 2014/15 and scored 248 runs and followed with 272 runs in 2016 and 348 in 2017 and 411 in 2018 and last year 480 runs with three fifties and a century versus Zahira College Colombo. Also he collected 33 victims behind the stumps. He has already played in five big matches and four limited over matches against Sumangalians and last year he got a fifty in the Big Match.
This year he was selected for the Colombo district squad and played for the Old Moratu Vidyalians Sports Club in the under 23 tournament. He has the distintion of leading this alma mater in the under 13,1517 an 19 teams.
Third year coloursman right hand middle order but and right arm fast medium bowler Thevarathanthrige Naduka Fernando will captain Prince of Wales College Moratuwa first-eleven cricket team in the forthcoming inter schools cricket season and his deputy will be Lakshan Perera.
He commenced his school career at St. Johns Private School Panadura in 2007 and passing the grade five scholarship examination he entered Prince of Wales college in 2012.
Playing in division one in the under 17 team he scored 205 runs and took 20 wickets and in 2018 he captained the same team and scored 250 runs and claimed 15 wickets and reached the pre-quarters.
While playing in the under 17 he was selected to the first eleven team and scored 202 runs and captured 25 wickets and last season he bagged 30 wickets. He played in two big matches and two limited over matches.
In addition he represented Matugama Sports Club in division two under 23 tournament. He was coached by former Cambrian Kalpa Fernando who left recently to join St. Josephs College Colombo.
The master in charge is Kasun Devapriya and the Prefect of Games is Vajira Abeywickrama withthe principal Kusala J. Fernando extending his fullest sport.
Ushan Perera and Rumesh Bulljaens won the Best Driver and the Best Rider awards respectively at the 9th Walawa Supercross 2019, organized by the Sri Lanka Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in association with Sri Lanka Army Motor Sports Committee and Sri Lanka Motorcycle club (SLMC) at the craftsman Autodrom, Sewanagala, Ambilipitiya recently.
The meet was held as a fund – raiser for the welfare of Sri Lanka Army's Electrical and Mechanical Engineering regiment servicemen and 12 driving and 12 riding events were conducted.
The SL/GT 3500 cc car event comprised two races. Ushan won the third place and the first place in first and second races respectively. Even though Ashan, Kushan, Ushan, Kapil and Gamini competed in the first race, Kushan had to pull out from the race due to technical trouble of his vehicle. Ushan was quick to take Kushan's place, but experienced Kapila Nishantha secured second place showing his prowess. Ushan and Gamini Nelson won the third and fourth places respectively.
In the second race, Ashan had to delay in second round, because of a wheel problem of his vehicle. But he finished the race as fourth driving with only three wheels. Ushan and Kapila competed with each other for the first place and even though Kapila showed his driving prowess, he had to be satisfied with the second place, because Ushan's vehicle collided with his vehicle in the last moment. Ushan won the first place. Ushan and Kapila claimed the same bonus points, but finally Ushan won the Best Driver trophy. Gamini Nelson won the third place.
In MX-175-250 cc (4T) event, Jacques Gunawardena won the first place in the first race. Second place was won by Rumesh Builljaens. Shanuka Sandaruwan won the third places of both races. In the second race, Jacque collapsed on the track and as a result, Rumesh won the first place. Even though Jacque and Rumesh earned equal bonus points Rumesh bagged the Best Rider award.
The second fastest event of the meet, SL/H 1600 cc Honda was won by Irfan Fuard. Upulwan Serasinghe and Zaakir Wahah won the second and third places respectively.
Mallika Kuruwitaarachchi won the SL/H 2000 CC Subaru Legacy event as usual. Buddhika Ruklantha won the second place. The T and J – Diesel 5500 cc turbo event was won by Buddhika without any challenge. Veteran driver Duminda Jayasinghe won the second place.
Deshan Solaki won the both races of Mx Super Motard 250-750 cc (4T) open event. Imal Manchanayake wonthe second place of the first race while Buddika Dinesh won the second place of the second race. Sachira Rajakaruna secured the third places of both races. Lahiru Jeewantha won the first places, of MX Racing 125-100 cc (2T) event and M-STD/MOD 250-175 cc (4T) second race as well as he won the second place of STD/MOD 250-175 cc (4T) first race.
Keshan Godage won the MX 65-85 cc (2T) 100-125 cc (4T) under 15 event. Tharuka Romesh De Silva won the second place.
Lahiru Jeewantha and Deshan Solanki were the only two competitors to win two events at the meet. Keshara Godage won the driving and riding events and claimed the upcoming driver and the rider ward. Deshan Solanki won the veteran driver Ananda Wedisinghe trophy.
Ashan, Ushan, Kesara, Upulwan, Mallika, Shenal, Buddika, Chamika Ruklantha, Dipeepa Imjaz and Shamel won the driving events while Rumesh, Deshan, Lahiru, Shanuka, Dineth, Hirusha, Sakeed, Raveesha and Keshan won the riding event.
All winners were offered cash prizes and trophies. Best Driver and Best Rider were awarded motorcycles too. The chief quest of the meet was the commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva.
Causeway Paint (Pvt) Ltd was the main sponsor of the meet while CEAT Kelani tyre International (Pvt) Ltd and Hutch Communication (Pvt) Ltd were the special sponsors. Staford Motors and Browns PLC Ltd were the co-sponsors.
Results:
Group ‘MX’ 125cc – Racing Motorcycles – 100cc up to 125cc (2T)
1 Lahiru Jeewantha, 2 Kamaldeen Hamthan, 3 Madura Priris
Group ‘J’ MX 65cc (2T) Under 12
1 Dineth Mihiranga, 2 Rivinu Rathnayaka, 3 N H A Ometh Niduwara
Group ‘M’ – STD /MOD 250cc Motorcycles Over 175cc up to 250cc (4T) Race – 1
1 Shanuka Sadaruwan, 2 Lahiru Jeewantha, 3 Supun Ganegoda
Group ‘J’ MX Motorcycles 65cc up to 85cc (2T) Under 12
1 Hirusha Padukka, 2 Rivinu Rathnayaka, 3 Minuka Rathnayaka
Group ‘J’ MX Motorcycles 50cc Over 5 Under 10
1 MH Saqeed Ahammed, 2 Hirusha Padukka, 3 M H A Ometh Niduwara
Group ‘MX’ 250cc Motorcycles 250cc Over 175cc up to 250cc (4T) Race – 1
1 Jacques Gunawrdena, 2 Rumish Bulljaens, 3 Shanuka Sadaruwan
Group ‘SM’ Super Motard Open 250cc up to 750cc (4T) Race – 1
1 Deshan Solanki, 2 Imal Manchanayeka, 3 Sachira Rajakaruna
Group ‘M’ – STD /MOD Street Trail 125cc Motorcycles Over 100cc up to 125cc (2T)
1 K A D Ravisha Jayashan, 2 Madura Priris, 3 Nihal Wijeratna
Group ‘J’ MX Motorcycles 85cc Over 65cc up to 85cc (2T) & Over 100cc up to 150cc Under 15
1 Kesara Godage, 2 Tharuka Rumesh De Silva, 3 Gagana Fenando
Group ‘M’ – STD /MOD 250cc Motorcycles Over 175cc up to 250cc (4T) Race – 2
1 Lahiru Jeewantha, 2 Shanuka Sadaruwan, 3 Kamaldeen Hamthan
Group ‘SM’ Super Motard Open 250cc up to 750cc (4T) Race – 2
1 Deshan Solanki, 2 Buddika Dinesh, 3 Sachira Rajakaruna
Group ‘MX’ 250cc Motorcycles 250cc Over 175cc up to 250cc (4T) Race – 2
1 Rumish Bulljaens, 2 Jacques Gunawrdena, 3 Shanuka Sadaruwan
Car races:
Group SL – E Car up to 1000cc – Nissan March
1 Kesara Godage, 2 Withanage Nirosh Jeewantha, 3 M M A Jayantha, 4 Dilipa Palliyaguru, 5 Thenuka Liyanaarachchi
Group SL – A Car Mini 7
1 Imraz Fayroze, 2 Namal Silva, 3 W M S Thisara
Group SL – E Ford Laser / Mazda 1300cc
1 Shamal Wagodapola, 2 Kesara Godage, 3 Chamagh Paliyaguru, 4 kolitha Edirisinghe, 5 Shan De Silva
Group SL – GT A Car up to 3500cc Race – 1
1 Ashan Silva, 2 Kapila Nishantha, 3 Ushan Perera
Group SL – N Ford Laser / Mazda 1300cc
1 Upulwan Serasinghe, 2 Mihan Peiris, 3 Imesh Silva, 4 Sudeera Nilaweera, 5 Dilip Shanka Dias
Group SL – A Modified Cars up to 1050cc
1 Chamika Ranathunga, 2 W N S Thissera, 3 Dilanka Wijesuriya
T & J – Diesel up to 5500cc Turbo
1 Buddika Ruklantha, 2 Lt Col Duminda Jayasinghe
Group SL – N Ford Laser / Mazda 1500cc
1 Senel Gunawardhana, 2 Nishantha Senadeera, 3 Upulwan Serasinghe
Group SL – E Car Mini up to 1275cc
1 Kushan Perera, 2 Mahesh Sanjeewa, 3 Suranjan Dabare
Group SL – H Car up to 1600cc Honda
1 Irfan Fuard, 2 Upulwan Serasinghe, 3 Zaakir Wahab
Group SL – H Car up to 2000cc Subaru Legacy
1 Malika Kuruwitaarachchi, 2 Buddika Ruklantha, 3 Asanka Bandara
Group SL – GT A Car up to 3500cc Race – 1
1 Ushan Perera, 2 Kapila Nishantha, 3 Gamini Nelson
Expert financial planner NDB Wealth will celebrate their fifth year of sponsorship of the premier junior golf tournament in Sri Lanka on October 25. The event was re-branded as the NDB Private Wealth Junior Masters Golf Championship in 2018 with the successful inclusion of National, Private and International schools with the intention of popularizing golf in schools in Sri Lanka.
The schools tournament, an initiative of Sri Lanka Golf with NDB Wealth will be held at the historic and iconic Royal Colombo Golf Course (RCGC).
The inclusion of the schools brought about a revised format for the tournament encouraging better representation and participation. Registrations are currently underway for the 2019 championship.
Team event will consist of a team of two players under the age of 18 years and below (Senior Division) and under 12 yrs (Junior Division).
A school can field more than one team and team pairings can be two girls, two boys or one girl and one boy where all will play 18 holes. Playing tee markers will be as per the specified Senior or Junior categories. Individual Events and the winner of the schools team event will have the lowest team aggregate score over 18 holes of play.
The Individual Event will be segregated into Senior and Junior Divisions for Boys and Girls respectively where participants will compete for the relevant categories in teach Division. Trophies, certificates and prizes will be awarded for category winners, 1st and 2nd Runner-up for both Boys and Girls in the respective Division.
At last year’s tournament Reshan Algama and Kvahn Tejwani of Colombo International School won the School Team event, with Reshan Algama bagging the Overall Winner title. Vinod Weerasinghe and Taniya Balasuriya topped the Senior Boys and Senior Girls categories respectively while Reshan Algama and Kaya Daluwatte secured the Junior Boys and Junior Girls categories.
“It has been a monumental journey over these past five years and we hope that with every step taken we had been able to propel the sport of Junior Golf to greater heights across Sri Lanka.
The NDB Private Wealth Junior Masters Golf Championship is a perfect balance of focused planning, foresight, calculation and competition, together with the required ambition, discipline and precision which are vital skills seen in both exemplary financial planners, and the best golfers around the world.
We encourage junior golfers to take this opportunity to improve their game by competing against the very best local talent”, said Prabodha Samarasekera, CEO of NDB Wealth.
