Sri Lanka will be represented by three boxers at the ASBC Asian Youth Boxing Championships 2019 scheduled to be held from November 8 to 18 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

This is the third international competition for Junior National boxers this year as the Schools Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (SBASL) are in sync with Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) president Dian Gomes' long-term strategy of grooming a new generation of boxing stars for 2022 Commonwealth and Asian Games.

Sri Lanka sent a six-member team for the inaugural ASBC Asian Schoolboys Boxing Championships in Kuwait in July where 14-year-old Ashen Shreemal Thalewalagedara from Sri Dheerananda College, Pilimathalawa outclassed Kuwait's Omar Alotaibi in the preliminary round before going down to Turkmenistan’s Alisher.

Sri Sumangala College, Kandy boxer Yazmin Mohamed Usaith Hossen also created history at the ASBC Asian Junior Boxing Championships in Fujairah, UAE, when he defeated Malaysia’s Pavithran Kanth in his opening bout before losing to a Kazakhstan fighter in the second round. His success was Sri Lanka’s first ever triumph in the history of the ASBC Asian Junior Boxing Championships.

Sri Lanka were represented by four boys and four girls in this championship.

Consistent with this policy of giving international exposure to promising school level boxers, three outstanding pugilists have been selected on their performance at the BASL Youth Boys & Girls Boxing Championships held from September 7 to 10 at the Jayathilaka Boxing Stadium in Nawalapitiya. They are J.K.D.T. Rashmika (Vidyarathane University College, Horana), R.G.T.W. Rajapaksha (Kingswood College, Kandy) and J.K.N.T. Nethmina (Narandeniya National School, Kamburupitiya).

They will be accompanied by AIBA 3-Star coach Amila Aravinda, AIBA 1-Star coach Pradeep Jayasinghe and Narandeniya NS Principal D.L. Priyadarshana as manager.

Thonej Rashmika, 18, a Youth and Stubbs Shield winner last year, was adjudged the Best Boxer at the BASL Youth Boys & Girls Boxing Championships this year. He will be fighting in the Bantam weight (56kg) category.

Tharinda Nethmina, a promising young talent from Southern Province, will be boxing in the Fly weight (52kg) while Rajapaksha will be competing in the Light Fly weight (49kg) category.

Boxers born in 2001 or in 2002 are eligible to compete in the ASBC Asian Youth Men and Women Boxing Championships. The last edition of this Championships was held in Bangkok in April 2018 which was a Qualifier for the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games and for the Budapest AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships.

A very fine bowling spell of 6 for 17 by Malith Shihan guided Moratu Vidyalaya to beat Basilica College on first innings by 127 runs in their inter school under 13 division one tournament cricket match played at Ragama.

Batting first homesters were shot out for 43 runs and in reply Vidyalians declared at 170 for 4 with Vihnaga Akash scoring 52 runs and at stumps homesters were 64 for 3 with Vishmika Sharoth unbeaten on 35 runs.

Chief Scores

Basilica – 43 in 32.2 overs – Malith Shihan 6/17 and 64/3 – Vishmika Sharoth 35 n/o, Malith Shehan 2/18

Moratu Vidyalaya – 170/4 dec. 26.3 overs – Vihanga Akash 52, Dineth Sithumina 33, Pramod Mihiranga 3/ n/o, Dineth Chanuka 24

In an inter school division one under 13 cricket mach, Piliyandala Central drew with St. Joseph’s College, Colombo and played at Piliyandala. Batting first Centralians scored 121 runs with Dimantha Dissanayake capturing 7 for 30 and when rain stopped play Josephians were 80 for 4. Josephians are coached by former Cambrian cricketer Kalpa Fernando.

Piliyandala Central – 121 in 65.5 overs – Ramesh Lakshitha 27, Yasiru Ransara 25, Dimantha Dissanayake 7/30

St. Joseph’s College – 80/4 in 23 overs – Dinuka Perera 30, Thineth Salinga 2/20

In a division three under-13 cricket match, St. Joseph’s College, Nugegoda beat Loyala College, Bopitiya by 169 runs on first innings at Kandana. Batting first Nugegoda Josephian’s declared at 200 for 7 with Anjana Loges and Dammina Gunasekera scoring 90 and 62 runs respectively and the pair put on 130 runs for the third wicket.

In reply Loyala were skittle out for a paltry 31 runs and following on at stumps Loyala were 2 for 3 runs.

Chief Scores

St. Joseph’s – 200/7 in 36.3 overs – Anjana Logus 90, Dammina Gunasekera 62, Sachintha Tennakoon 3/30, Ushan Aloka 2/24

Loyala College – 31 in 13 overs – Akhen de Alwis 4/3, Sithila Thisara 4/4, Dammina Gunasekera 2/11 and 2/3 – Sithila Thisara 3/0

Fine allround performance by Sachini Dayaratne, the cricket Captain of St.Anthony’s Girls College,Katugastota, who scored 47 and bagged 4 wickets for only 7 runs against Pelwatte Navodya Vidyalaya, Buttala helped her School to an easy victory by 88 runs in their Div.I Girls School Cricket match held at Pelwatte Suger Corporation Grounds recently.

Scores:

St. Anthonys’ Girls 157/8 in 25 overs (Sachini Dayaratne 47, Tharushi Sathsarani 26, Chethena Vimukthi 2 for 22, Imesha Upamali 2 for 15,)

Pelwatte Navodya Vidyalaya 69 all out in 18.5 overs (Chethana Vimukthi 12, Sachini Dayaratne 4 for 7, Meedum Gamage 2 for 13)

D.M. Dharmathilleke was born on 19th of November,1931 is an old boy of Dharmaraja College,Kandy and one of the most senior Sportsman and Scholars the College has produced.

He was an all-round Sportsman who represented the School in Cricket, Soccer and Hockey and captained the School Hockey team in 1951 – 1952. He has been a leading debater of the School in the Sinhala and English medium.

He was involved in all activities of Dharmaraja College from his School days upto date completing over five decades. D.M.Dharmathilleke entered the University of Peradeniya and studied from 1952 – 1955 and passed out as an Arts Graduate and while in the Campus he captained the Hockey team and was the President of the Ramanathan Hall of the University. After the graduation he joined his alma mater, Dharmaraja College as a teacher and coached the under 13 cricket team of the school which included players like T.B. Kehelgamuwa and G.S. Ratnayake. His students included A.P. Gunaratne, and T.B. Damunupola (both became

Prinicpals of Popular Schools like Ananda College, Colombo and Dharmaraja College,Kandy)

In 1971 D.M. Dharmathillake got through the CCS examination and joined the Government Service as an Assistant Commissioner of the Dept.of Labour and later became the Senior Asst.Secretary of the Ministry of Indigenous medicine and General Manager of the Ceylon Railways.

Even though he was always busy in these important positions, he never forgot his alma mater and got involved in the school activities, specially interested in cricket and found the time to witness the cricket matches and when the team played with Colombo schools and won he used to grant the outstanding players cash prizes.

He was the Joint Secretary of the Old Boys Union and instrumental in improving the Play-ground of the school.

He formed the OBU Branch in Colombo and helped to review the junior cricket in the school and also inaugurated the Cricket Foundation to look into the interests of the College cricket.

He was selected to be the President of the ‘Olcott Memorial Sports Foundation’ which was formed among the Buddhist Schools of the Island from 2008 to 2013.

He is really dedicated to the activities of Dharmaraja College, Kandy and at present he is the Patron of the School Sports Foundation and the Old Boys Union of the School.

Members of the Sri Lankan team which took part in the South Asian under-21 Regional Badminton Championships in Addu City, Maldives, posing for a photograph with the President of Sri Lanka Badminton, Rohan de Silva, SLB Officials and coaches during a felicitation ceremony held in Colombo.

Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) felicitated the junior shuttlers who excelled at the recently concluded 21st BWF World Junior Championships and the South Asian under-21 Regional Badminton Championships at a ceremony in Colombo.

The members of the two teams, SLB President Rohan de Silva, Vice-Presidents, officials and coaches were present at the occasion which took place at the 80 Club.

In a significant move, (SLB) also presented cash awards to outstanding shuttlers of both teams for their achievements at the two major badminton tournaments.

Sri Lanka won one gold, one silver and four bronze medals at the South Asian under-21 Regional Badminton Championships. Teshani Nayanathara and Hasara Wijerathna won the women’s doubles at the event which took place in Addu City, Maldives.

The team also included Dumindu Abeywickrema, Ranthushka Sasindu, Sethum Perera, Digayu Kahatapitiya, Lakindu Ranaweera,Praween Bhanuka, Nadun Punchihewa, Hasini Ambalangoda, Ashini Fernandi, Jananuwani Amanda and Chathuli Ishara. The team was coached by Yukthi Rangana.

At the 21st BWF World Junior Championships in Kazan, Russia, Lankan shuttlers finished in the 26 th position among 43 teams after beating Lithuania, Australia and Peru.

The eight-member team, coached by former national champion and double Olympian Thilini Jayasinghe, included Lochana De Silva, Viren Nettasinghe, Chamath Dias, Thulith Palliyaguru, Dilmi Dias, Panchali Adhikari, Chamudi Abeywickrema and Anurangi Maskorala.

DHAKA, Tuesday - Bangladesh captain and star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was banned Tuesday from all cricket for two years, with one year suspended, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.

The ban came after Shakib “accepted three charges of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code”, the sport’s governing body said in a statement.

These included failing to disclose to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit full details of approaches or invitations made in relation to the Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe Tri-Series in January 2018 as well as the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL), it said.

The 32-year-old’s ban came as a blow to Bangladesh’s preparations for next month’s tour of India where the all-rounder was set to lead the team for a two-Test series and three T20 international matches.

Shakib, who has played 56 Test, 206 ODIs and 76 Twenty20 internationals, is by far Bangladesh’s best known player, having topped the ICC all-rounder rankings in all three formats several times since 2009.

He starred for the team during the recent World Cup in England, where he scored over 600 runs and picked 11 wickets.

In the World Cup, he also became the fastest and only the fifth cricketer to reach 5,000 runs and 250 wickets in ODIs.

Shakib will be free to resume international cricket October 29, 2020 subject to him satisfying the conditions in respect of the suspended part of the sanction, the ICC said.

“I am obviously extremely sad to have been banned from the game I love, but I completely accept my sanction for not reporting the approaches,” Shakib was quoted as saying in the ICC statement.

There was no immediate comment from the country’s cricket authorities who were expected to name the teams for the India Tests and T20s on Wednesday.

But Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the country’s cricket board “will always be with Shakib and will help him in every way.”

She said that while match-fixers often contact players, Sbakib’s “mistake is that when he was contacted he didn’t give it too much importance. He didn’t inform... the ICC.”

Having grown up in a rural town west of the capital Dhaka, Shakib burst into the international scene after excelling in age-level cricket.

He is possibly Bangladesh’s most loved cricketer and only last week successfully led a brief strike by Bangladesh’s professional cricketers to press for better pay and benefits.

But this is not the first time the left arm orthodox spinner and left handed batsman has faced disciplinary actions.

In 2014, Shakib was suspended by the BCB from all cricket for six months following “serious misbehaviour” with Bangladesh’s coach Chandika Hathurusingha, and for his altercation with a spectator during a ODI against India in Dhaka.

“He has a severe attitude problem, which is unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh cricket. We think that his behaviour is such that it’s directly impacting the team,” Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan told reporters at that time.

Last week Bangladesh cricket authorities said they would also take legal action against Shakib for allegedly breaching his contract to sign a sponsorship deal with a top mobile phone operator.

Shakib inked the agreement with former national team sponsor Grameenphone for an undisclosed sum at a time when he was also leading the players’ strike. – AFP

Aaron Finch has declared he wants Australia to be the best Twenty20 side on the planet by next October’s ICC T20 World Cup, though what appears a lofty ambition could theoretically be achieved as soon as next week.

After defeating India away in their most recent completed T20 series and after Sunday’s thrashing of Sri Lanka in Adelaide, Australia currently sit in fourth position on the ICC rankings on a rating of 262 (level with South Africa though behind on decimal points).

Clean sweeps of the three-match series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the next 10 days would propel Australia into top spot, where an impressive Pakistani outfit currently sit, as long as New Zealand win one of their five upcoming matches at home to England.

But such is the unpredictability of the format, Pakistan were beaten by the seventh-placed Sri Lankans 3-0 earlier this month.

“That’s the goal,” Finch said when asked about Australia’s push to improve their world placing to number one in a format in which they’ve struggled to match their traditional domination in Test and ODIs.

“I think there’s always times when you go through ups and downs as a side, but now we’ve got a specific date in mind, which is the start of the World Cup, to really build that foundation of a really good, solid T20 side that can beat the best in the world and sustain that for a long period of time.

“One of the most important things is that we can sustain it … being a more well-rounded side and that all comes back to the balance of the side, and the consistency and chemistry.

“The more we can get that going well together, the more consistent I think you’ll see our side.”

Australia are hot favourites to beat Sri Lanka in Wednesday night’s second T20I at the Gabba and Finch said each match the team now play would be viewed through the wider lens of next year’s World Cup on home soil – a piece of silverware conspicuously missing from the hosts’ trophy cabinet.

Central in Australia’s plans is the compilation of a playing squad with considerable experience at international level, something that team rotation is set to provide. Such a process is already in action, with Mitchell Starc permitted to miss tomorrow night’s fixture in order to attend his brother’s wedding, paving the way for the likely inclusion of pacemen Billy Stanlake or Sean Abbott.

“Everything that we’re doing on and off field is based around working back from the T20 World Cup,” Finch explained.

“That’s with selections, that’s with the way we’re managing our players and giving guys enough game time as well so they’re getting more and more T20 exposure; I think domestically there’s enough there but internationally we just haven’t had the amount of cricket we would’ve liked over the last couple of years.

“The fact we’ve got 20 (T20) games (before the World Cup) … we’re just really pleased that we’re playing more of it now.”

Australia’s second T20I against Sri Lanka begins at 6pm local time (SLT 1.40 pm) on Wednesday at the Gabba.

Indian Women emerged champions of the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup tournament when they defeated Sri Lanka Women by 14 runs under the D/L system in the final played at the R Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

Sri Lanka Women missed a golden opportunity of turning tables on the strong Indian side when they had them reeling at 90 for seven in 31 overs after India had won the toss and decided to take first strike.

However a fine rearguard action from Tanushree Sarkara (47 off 76 balls, 4 fours) who figured in a half-century stand off 81 balls with Simarn Dil Bahadur (34 off 51 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) saw India recover to a respectable total of 175-9.

Sri Lanka Women’s run chase was delayed by rain and when they began their innings their target was reset to 149 runs off 35 overs.

Sri Lanka Women were never allowed to build up any partnerships of substance and they were eventually bowled out for 135 in 34.3 overs with TP Kanwar and Devika Vaidya being the main destroyers of their batting sharing eight wickets between them.

Top scorer for Sri Lanka Women was Harshitha Madavi with a patient 39 off 66 balls.

Madavi was later named Player of the Series and Vaidya Player of the Finals. Scores:

Indian Women 175-9 in 50 overs (Tanushree Sarkar 47, Simarn Dil Bahadur 34, Kavisha Dilhari 3/27, Sachini Nisansala 2/25) Sri Lankan Women 135 in 34.3 overs (Harshitha Madavi 39, Lihini Apsara 22, Madushika Methananda 25, TP Kanwar 4/15, Devika Vaidya 4/29)

With rain washing out play in the first two days the first under 19 cricket test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh ended in a draw at Barisal yesterday.

Sri Lanka under 19 who won the toss and batted first reached 331-7 declared with skipper Nipun Dhananjaya (67), Sonal Dinusha (58) and Dunith Wellalage (50 n.o.) scoring half-centuries apiece.

Dhananjaya and Dinusha figured in a 113-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Bangladesh under 19 were struggling at 142 for 6 wickets when the game ended. Alvi Hoque top scored with 54 with Matheesha Pathirana who took 3 wickets for 13 runs on his debut was adjudged Man of the Match.

Scores:

Sri Lanka under 19’s: 331/7 decl (84.3) (Nipun Dhananjaya 67, Sonal Dinusha 58, Dunith Wellalage 50 n.o., Lakshan Gamage 46, Chamindu Wickramasinghe 45, Ravindu Rashantha 21, Chihan Kavindu 15, Ashraful Islam 3/83, Asadullah Galib 2/46, Noman Chowdhury 2/68)

Bangladesh under 19’s: 142/6 at close (Alvi Hoque 54, Pritom Kumar 28, Naimur Rahman 25 n.o., Sajid Hossain Seam 23, Matheesha Pathirana 3/13, Lakshan Gamage 2/12) – YK

Ibbagamuwa Central College beat St. Xavier’s College Marawila by 10 wickets in their ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 19 inter-schools cricket match played at Albert F. Peiris Stadium Wennappuwa yesterday.

Janith Perera scored 115 for St. Thomas’ College Kotte in their drawn match against Welapura MV Kalutara.

RESULTS

• At Wennappuwa: Ibbagamuwa Central won by 10 wickets.

St.Xavier’s Marawila: 75 (73/8 o/n) (45.3) (Chanuka Fernando 35, Nisal Nethsiri 4/19, Yasiru Jayarathna 3/13, Malik Nethsiri 3/28) and 102 (40.1) (Yohana Perera 27, Tharanga Premarathna 4/27, Nisal Nethsiri 4/39)

Ibbagamuwa Central: 138/6 decl. (36.3) (Prabuddha Premalal 74, Kulan Bandara 20, Roshen Savindu 3/46, Yohana Perera 3/20) and 43/0 (10.4) (Prabuddha Premalal 26 n.o., Kulan Bandara 17 n.o.)

• At Kalutara: Match drawn.

Welapura MV Kalutara: 129 (2/0 o/n) (55.2) (Sachintha Vidusara 28, Lahiru Sashmitha 28, Janith Perera 4/46, Achintha Kavinda 4/47) and 26/1 (7)

St. Thomas’ Kotte: 137/4 decl. (39.5) (Janith Perera 115, Adeesha Nethmina 2/39) - (YK)

Sri Lanka Cricket provided bowling machines to 16 schools that performed well in the Under 19 Schools Cricket Division 1 Tournament during the year 2018/19 season.

Accordingly, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, Nalanda College, Colombo, Prince of Wales, Moratuwa, Trinity College, Kandy, Thurstan College, Colombo, Mahinda College, Galle, Richmond College, Galle, Maris Stella College, Negombo, St. Servatius College, Matara, St. Peter’s College, Colombo, Zahira College, Colombo, Mahanama College, Colombo, St. Benedicts’ College, Kotahena and Ananda College, Colombo were presented bowling machines each valued at Rs. 650,000.

These battery powered machines were handed over during a simple ceremony held at Sri Lanka Cricket with the participation of school cricket captains, Principals and Masters in Charge of the respective schools.

“This is only a start and we are planning to provide these machines to all the 36 schools, which plays Division 1 cricket in due course,’’ said Shammi Silva, president Sri Lanka Cricket. “We are also looking to allocate more funds to support school cricket going forward, as we believe, it is important for us to develop the game at school level in order to unearth hidden talent.”

The Principal of the Mahanama College L.M.D. Dharmasena said, “This is a timely act by Sri Lanka Cricket. We know, without school cricket, we cannot speak about international cricket. We assure that these equipment’s will be utilized in the most productive way to help Sri Lanka cricket unearth talent.”

Oshara Panditharatne, President, Schools Cricket Association and Kamal Dharmasiri, Head of National Development Center of SLC were also present.

TOKYO, Tuesday - A World Rugby video trumpeting England’s response to the New Zealand haka in their World Cup semi-final has earned millions of views online, putting the governing body in an awkward spot should it decide to censure the English team.

Before their stunning 19-7 win in Yokohama last Saturday that ended the All Blacks’ eight-year reign as world champions, England lined up in a V formation to counter New Zealand’s traditional Maori challenge.

In 2011 France formed an arrow head shape and advanced on New Zealand while they performed the haka before the World Cup final in Auckland and were subsequently fined £2,500 ($3,212) for breaching a “cultural ritual protocol”.

However, despite speculation about a possible fine, as of Tuesday no disciplinary action had been taken against England, with a clip on World Rugby’s official YouTube channel captioned “England’s incredible response to intense New Zealand haka” having received nearly 3.7 million views.

It is understood the protocol states opponents must not cross the halfway line but at the two tips of England’s V formation, six players –- Joe Marler, Billy Vunipola, Mark Wilson, Elliot Daly, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Ben Youngs –- appeared to be standing in New Zealand’s half.

Match officials could be seen urging England players to return to their own half before appearing to be sufficiently content with their positions to let them stay where they were.

“(Joe Marler) said he got confused,” explained fellow England prop Mako Vunipola.

“He thought he was supposed to go all the way around it and go to their 10 (metre line).

“But because of that, he’s the one who has to pay the fine. He dishes it out a lot so the boys would be more than happy if he has to pay it.”

After the match, England players revealed coach Eddie Jones had been behind the unusual way they lined up, with captain Owen Farrell, seen smiling during the haka, saying: “We wanted not to just stand there and let them come at us.”

No comment was available from World Rugby about whether England will face disciplinary action.

England will bid to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time when they return to Yokohama for this Saturday’s final against two-time champions South Africa. – AFP

TOKYO, Tuesday - South Africa’s Cape Town will host the next Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2022, World Rugby announced on Tuesday, marking the first time the event has been held in Africa.

The coastal city was awarded the tournament at a time of rising fortunes for sevens rugby, which made its Olympic debut in 2016 and will return for the Tokyo Games next year.

The three-day event will be held at the 55,000-capacity Cape Town Stadium in September 2022, World Rugby said after a meeting of the World Rugby Council in Tokyo.

Exact dates are still to be announced for the tournament, which will feature 24 men’s and 16 women’s teams, a statement said.

New Zealand sealed back-to-back titles and their third overall at the last sevens World Cup in Las Vegas in 2018 -- mirroring the performance of the 15-a-side All Blacks, who were crowned world champions in 1987, 2011 and 2015. – AFP

Bangladesh captain and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was banned from all cricket for two years, with one year suspended, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.

The ban came after Shakib "accepted three charges of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code", the sport's governing body said in a statement.

These included failing to disclose to the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit full details of approaches or invitations made in relation to the Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe Tri-Series in January 2018 as well as the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL), it said.

The 32-year-old's ban came as a blow to Bangladesh's preparations for next month's tour of India where the all-rounder was set to lead the team for a two-Test series and three T20 international matches.

(Source: Sports24)

A fine bowling spell of 5 for 17 by Kaveen Pathirana enabled St. Joseph’s, Colombo beat Seethawaka Maha Vidyalaya by 48 runs on the first innings in their inter-school under 13 division one cricket tournament match played at Avissawella.

Batting first Seethawaka were all out for 119 runs with Dinuja Amarasinghe scoring 50 runs. In reply, Joes declared at 167 for 2 with Dunik Perera and Kaveesha Dissanayake scoring 88 and an unbeaten 61 respectively with the opening pair putting on 152 runs.

Scores:

Seethawaka Vidyalaya 119 in 55.1 overs (Dinuja Amarasinghe 50, Sithija Akesh 32, Kaveen Pathirana 5/17, Kaveesh Jayawardene 3/30) and 2/1 at stumps

St. Joseph’s 167/2 in 27 overs (Dunik Perera 88, Kaveesha Disanayake 61 n.o.)

Joes played in the same age and division against Thurstan and President’s College, Kotte and both matches were washed out due to rain.

Scores

St. Joseph’s 175 in 52.1 overs (Sasanka Ranaweera 40, Keneth Sasmina 36, Rithika Geenath 22, Ruvin Peiris 5/29 vs Thurstan College 41/3

President’s College 121 in 60.2 overs (Rithika Geenath 4/26, Kaveen Pathirana 3/8, Leshon Liou 2/32, Rithika Geenath 2/11)

All sportsmen and sports enthusiasts will always remember the late J.R. Jayewardene, the first Executive President of the country and illustrious Royalist who was a versatile sportsman, sports benefactor, philanthropist and a gentleman. He died 23 years ago on November 1, 1996. The former President was a great lover of sports. Every single sportsman in Sri Lanka be they young or old as well as thousands of sports fans will remember this great Sri Lankan and legend.

Born to a prominent Ceylonese family with a strong association with the legal profession, JR was the eldest of 11 children, of Justice Eugene Wilfred Jayewardene KC, a Puisne Justice of Supreme Court of Ceylon and Agnes Helen Don Philip Wijewardene daughter of Tudugalage Muhandiram Don Philip Wijewardena a wealthy merchant.

JR received his primary education at Bishop’s College, Colombo and later attended Royal College, Colombo for his secondary education excelling in studies, sports and extracurricular activities. He was the first secretary of the Royal College Social Services League in 1921 and he became the head prefect in 1925 and also represented the school in football and boxing in addition to rugger and cricket. He was also a member of the cadet corps. He later served as Secretary of the Royal College Union.

JR as he was popularly known faced both victory and defeat as a schoolboy in the same spirit. At Royal College he played cricket, debuting in the Royal-Thomian “Battle of the Blues” series in 1925. In that encounter although JR was dismissed for a duck he held the catch that brought victory to Royal. Some of his team mates at cricket were L. D. S. (Chippie) Gunasekera, H. E. Wijetunge, D. W. L. Lieversz, D. C. L. Perera, H. C. Dharmaratne, H. Meedeniya, R L. and W. Goonewardene and W. Ludovici. He also played cricket for Law College and for SSC. He captained the rugby team in 1924 in the annual Royal-Trinity encounter (which later became known as the Bradby Shield). That year although Royal had a good side they lost to Trinity led by P.A. Buultjens - by 3-37 at Bogambara. (the 37 points came off 2 goals and 9 tries) to 3 points one try scored by D.W.L. Lieversz (Snr) - the first try by a Royalist against Trinity. JR was a fine line-out jumper and played in the company of V.C. Bartholomuesz, W.L. Siebel, R.F.C. Schrader, E. D. de Silva, E.F. Don, C.D.R. Bastian, K.S. Surendranath, V.E. Jayasundara, C.G.A. Perera, P.C.W. Peiris, N.S. Joseph, D.W.L. Lieversz (Snr), F.S. de Silva and L.D.S. Gunasekara.

Excelling in both studies, sports and club and societies he was the first secretary in Royal College Social Services League in 1921 and he became the head prefect in 1925 and also represented the school in football and boxing; he was also a member of the cadet corps. He later served as secretary of the Royal College Union. In football, JR was the team’s vice captain and played as centre half, and was famous for long range kicks. He was also a fine pugilist and boxed for Royal along with friend Dr. Colvin R de Silva, with great honour. For a short time he played tennis and up to his demise was the president of SSC.

JR gave cricket a prominent place and went on to become the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka. When Sri Lanka gained Test status in 1982, he was the head of the country. He was present at Sri Lanka’s first test victory at P. Sara Stadium and was the chief guest when Sri Lanka beat Pakistan to win the Asia Cup.

It was during his leadership that the work at Asgiriya Stadium was done. He was the chief guest at the ceremonial opening of the stadium and when the Sugathadasa Indoor and Outdoor Stadiums were renovated and, R. Premadasa Stadium was built by late President R. Premadasa.

When the indoor nets were inaugurated in 1983 JR bowled his “leg spin” and “googlies” to open the project and was instrumental in building the Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters at SSC grounds.

As a keen ruggerite and cricketer he often visited Kandy to play against Trinity College from 1914 to 1925. JR’s name was extremely popular among the Royalists not because he participated in numerous sports disciplines but for his outstanding contributions to the country.

JR did not practice law for long. In 1938 he gave up his legal career to became an activist in the Ceylon National Congress (CNC), which provided the organizational platform for Ceylon’s nationalist movement. He became its Joint Secretary in 1939 and in 1940 he was elected to the Colombo Municipal Council from the New Bazaar Ward. He was elected to the colonial legislature, the State Council in 1943 by winning the Kelaniya by-election.

After joining the UNP on its formation in 1946 as a founder member, he was re-elected from the Kelaniya electorate in the first parliamentary election and was appointed by D. S. Senanayake as the Minister of Finance in the island’s first Cabinet in 1947. Initiating post-independence reforms, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Central Bank of Ceylon under the guidance of the American economist John Exter.

Although JR is no more his memory will remain forever in the minds of all those who knew his qualities. Sri Lanka will never have another J.R.Jayewardene.

The Colours Awards ceremony of Pushpadana Girls School, Kandy was held on October 21 at the College Hall under the distinguished patronage of Lieutenant General L.H.S.C. Silva, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, and the guest of honour was Dayalini Abeygunawardena, the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Fortitude Executive Coaching and a distinguished past pupil of the school.

The Principal of the school, Lalitha Egodawela received the chief guest and the other guests and well over 400 students of Pushpadana received awards such as Merit awards, Pushpa awards, and Swarna Pushpa awards.

The awards were for swimming, athletics, badminton, table tennis, eastern cadet band, basketball, chess, hockey, etc.

Apart from these awards, three more awards were presented i.e. two commendable performances and Best sportswoman of the year.

BRISBANE, Wednesday: David Warner and Steve Smith each smashed half-centuries as Australia hammered Sri Lanka by nine wickets to win the second Twenty20 in Brisbane on Wednesday and wrap up the series.

It was another massive wake-up call for the Sri Lankans, who arrived in Australia on the back of a 3-0 series win against Pakistan but have now been outplayed twice, after being crushed by 134 runs in Adelaide on Sunday.

They must now regroup for the third and final match in Melbourne on Friday.

Warner and Smith came together after Aaron Finch was caught down the leg side off Lasith Malinga for a golden duck, and the pair produced a batting masterclass. Warner was unbeaten on 60 and Smith not out 53.

Chasing 118 to win after Sri Lanka were restricted to 117 all out off 19 overs, they reached their target with 42 balls to spare.

“The bowlers did a terrific job, we bowled in the right areas and created chances and restricted them to 117, which wasn’t enough on this wicket,” said Smith.

“It’s nice and easy batting at the other end from Davy,” he added. “He’s doing a terrific job. Played beautifully the other day and backed it up tonight as well.”

Warner scored his first-ever T20 century when Australia crushed Sri Lanka on Sunday, and he brought that scintillating form into Brisbane.

In his first knock in the short format at international level since 2016, Smith was also firing -- producing some glorious drives and clever singles as he and Warner raced each other to see who could make 50 first. The explosive Warner won the battle, with his 14th T20 half-century coming off 30 balls, with seven fours. Smith soon followed, grabbing his third 50, off 32 balls, with six boundaries.

There was nothing the Sri Lankan bowlers could do against such quality batsmen, who were never troubled.

“It’s a tough side and I think with this kind of batting line-up our score wasn’t enough,” said Sri Lanka skipper Malinga. “We didn’t get the score we expected and the batsmen will have to be more responsible. Shot selection is not that great and we didn’t get any partnerships in the middle overs.”

Two wickets from the towering Billy Stanlake, in for Mitchell Starc who was attending his brother’s wedding, and a brace each for Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa and Pat Cummins kept Sri Lanka in check after they won the toss and batted. Australia got an early breakthrough in the second over when Kusal Mendis was run out after a mix-up with Danushka Gunathilaka, who called for a run after hitting the ball then didn’t move. He attempted to make amends by opening his bat, clubbing a huge six off Stanlake, before his luck ran out and he was clean-bowled by the lanky paceman for 21. Spinner Agar then enticed rising star Avishka Fernando into a big hit when on 17 and he skied it straight to Cummins, who took a difficult catch.

When Niroshan Dickwella fell to Cummins for five, Sri Lanka began to crumble. Kusal Perera chopped onto his stumps on 27 and Dasun Shanaka went for just one, feathering a catch to wicketkeeper Alex Carey off Stanlake. It left them in deep trouble at 75 for six after 11.2 overs and the wickets kept tumbling as Australia tightened the screws.

After Sri Lanka in Melbourne, Australia face Pakistan in three T20s in Sydney, Canberra and Perth.

- AFP