South Africa are due to make a tour of Sri Lanka from July 4 to August 15 during which period they are due to take on Sri Lanka in a series of two Tests, five One-Day Internationals and a one-off T20 International. South Africa commence their tour with the Test series at Galle followed by the second Test at SSC. The one-day games will follow afterwards.

The tour itinerary released by Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday:

July 12-16 1st Test Match Galle International Cricket Stadium

July 20-24 2nd Test Match SSC grounds

July 29 1st ODI – (Day Game) Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

Aug 1 2nd ODI – (Day/Night) Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

Aug 5 3rd ODI – (Day) Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

Aug 8 4th ODI – (Day/Night) Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

Aug 12 5th ODI – (Day/Night) R Premadasa Stadium

Aug 14 T20I - (Day/Night) R Premadasa Stadium

Lumbini College Colombo beat Bandaranayake College Gampaha by 3 wickets in their 5th Battle of the Blue & Green annual limited overs cricket encounter played at the R Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

Bandaranayake winning the toss and electing to bat were bowled out for 172 in 42.3 overs. Sahiru Roshen top scored with 78 and Prabath Madusanka took 4 wickets for 18 runs.

Lumbini replied with 173-7 wickets in 37.3 overs with Kavin Peiris scoring an unbeaten 78.

Bandaranayake Gampaha: 172 in 42.1 overs (Sahiru Roshen 78, Sisitha Madanayake 27, Janidu Jayawardhane 26, Prabath Madusanka 4/18, Vimukthi Kulathunge 2/23)

Lumbini: 173/7 in 37.3 overs (Kavin Peiris 78 n.o., Poorna Sandaruwan 22, Janindu Jayawardane 2/31) - YK

Superb bowling spell of 3/4 in eight overs with seven maidens by Menusha Sachintha put Vijitha Central in contention at the end of the first days play of the 9th Golden Battle of Ruhuna last evening.

Vijitha Central invited to bat first scored 127 runs in 59.1 overs. Lahiru Kosala was the only batsman to take on the bowlers by scoring 38 off 76 balls with five boundaries and a six while Tharindu Ushan was rewarded with a five wicket haul while Pivithuru Piyadasun captured two wickets.

Menusha Dinun Sachintha and Kushan Malinda bowled 10 maiden owers between them to restrict the Rajapaksa first innings to 19/3 at the end of 16.1 overs at which time umpires Asanka Kahatapitiya and Samantha Kumara called off play due to bad light.

Vijitha Central 127 in 59.1 overs: Lahiru Kosala 38, Rusika Jayakantha 14, Tharindu Ushan 5/47, Pivithuru Piyadasun 2/15

Rajapaksa Central 19/3 in 16.1 overs: Jineetha Malith 10 not out, Menusha Sachintha 3/04

The Sri Lanka Junior Golf Championship reached the climax with five age group category finals to be played at the Royal Colombo Golf Club Course today (April 5).

The Sri Lanka Junior Golf Championship sponsored by Perera & Sons Bakers for the fifth consecutive year produced much interest and quite a following at the semi-final stage.

There were no surprises in the girls’ Gold & Silver combined category with top seeded Kayla Perera cruising to an easy 8 & 6 victory over Dhaliya Helshiba Herath from Victoria Golf Club to set up an enthralling final clash with Taniya Minel Balasuriya, the current Sri Lanka Ladies National title holder. Kayla Perera who missed the National Championship week, returned with a sensational 2 under par gross in the qualifying round to be the top seed for the Junior Girls Championship for the coveted Rukmini Kodagoda Challenge Trophy 2018.

Taniya Minel beat her sister Sherin Mithara 5 & 4 in the second semi-final. Taniya was crowned the Junior Girls Champion in 2017. Vinod Weerasinghe the runner-up last year, comfortably secured his berth in the final defeating S. Dhuwarshan from NEGC 4 & 3. Sathsara Dilshan an experienced junior beat Dilshan Malinda seeded number 1 after the qualifying round for the match-play segment, to meet Vinod in what should be a closely fought final. However, Vinod Weerasinghe is the favourite to clinch the Junior Boys Golf Championship title and the Rukmini Kodagoda Challenge Trophy for boys.

The Silver Division for Boys saw Nirekh Tejwani defeating Yannik Kumara 1up, reversing the result of 2017 when Yannik beat Nirekh in the final of the Bronze Division. Nirekh will meet K. Danushan in the final after Danushan brushed aside S D M Hirushan comfortably 4 & 3.

In the Bronze Division, NWG Shanal Binuksha beat Reshan Algama 2 up. M S Sanjay had a close call to overcome Pranav Muralidaran who fought valiantly to the end before going down in the 19th hole in a sudden-death play-off. Shanal Binuksha meets Sanjay and is tipped to be the Bronze Division Champion.

Kaya Daluwatte played consistent golf to beat Khvan Tejwani 4 & 3 to enter the final of the Copper Division and defend the title she won last year. Thejas Rathis Kanth continued his giant killing run defeating C. Dharaniyan from the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, seeded #3, with a convincing 2 & 1 victory to meet the top seeded Kaya Daluwatte, the defending champion of the Copper Division. Thejas Rathis Kanth has defeated the #2 and 3 seeds in the match-play format and now meets the top seed in the final. Nonetheless, Kaya Daluwatte is tipped to defend her title she won in 2017.

The ‘Five’ finals will be worked off at the RCGC from 8.00 a.m. in the following order:

Boys Gold Division final will be followed by the Girls Gold & Silver Division final at 8.10 a.m. The Silver Division boys’ final will play at 8.20 a.m. and the Bronze Division final is at 8.30 a.m. The Copper Division final over 9 holes will tee-off at 8.40 a.m. The morning play will be followed by a solemn prize giving hosted by the proud Sponsors Perera & Sons Bakers and the Rukmini Kodagoda Challenge Trophy for the Junior Golf Champion Boys and Girls respectively will be presented.

These tournaments are conducted by the Sri Lanka Golf Junior Sub Committee.

Mount Lavinia beach was abuzz with excitement last Sunday as Prima KottuMee and YFM hosted the first ever Beach Cricket Carnival in Sri Lanka.

Teams representing 8 higher educational institutes competed against each other to claim the championship. ACBT, ICBT, SLIIT and NSBM entered the semi-finals after a day full of exciting matches played on the purpose-built turf by the sea. The final match for the championship between ICBT and SLIIT was played under flood lights, adding a novel experience to the atmosphere. Following a thrilling encounter, ICBT emerged champions of the Prima KottuMee – Y FM Beach Cricket Carnival.

Celebrities, YouTubers and Social Media stars joined in the fun by taking part in a number of exhibition matches. The ‘Hot & Spicy’ atmosphere created by Prima KottuMee was almost palpable, making the carnival the best experience for all the youth present. At sunset, the crowds who were gathered were entertained to a line-up of popular artists and much more entertainment at the mini concert.

The Addalaichenai Central College won the Under 20 Boys Volley Ball Championship beating Faiza Maha Vidyalaya in the Akkaraipattu Zonal Level Inter School Volleyball Championship conducted by the Akkaraipattu Zonal Education Office Assistant Education Director (Physical Education) S.M.Jameel and held at the Palamunai Public Play Grounds recently.

The ahletics events will be held on April 22 and 23 at Akkaraipattu Central College play ground. All champions and Runner-ups will be qualified to take part in the Eastern Province Sports Competition.

Akkaraipattu Zonal Level team events were held between the Addalaichenai and Pottuvil divisional school teams under the guidance of the Akkaraipattu Zonal Education Director A.M.Rahmathullah.

Results of the team event finals:

Volleyball (Under -16): champions – Al-Hamra Maha Vidyalaya, Oluvil. Runner-up – As-Siraj Maha Vidyalaya, Akkaraipattu.

Volleyball (Under-18): champions – Al-Arham Vidyalaya, Addalaichenai. Runner-up – Addalaichenai Central College.

Volleyball (Under 20): champions – Addalaichenai Central College. Runner- up – Faiza Maha Vidyalaya, Akkaraipattu.

Football (Under-16): champions - Pottuvil Central College . Runner-up – Al-Arham Vidyalaya, Addalaichenai.

Football (Under 18): champions – Pottuvil Central College, Runner-up – Addalaichenai Central College.

Football (Under 20): champions Al-Faiza Maha Vidyalaya, Akkaraipattu, Runner-up – An-Noor Maha Vidyalaya, Addalaichenai.

Cricket: champions – Minhaj Maha Vidyalaya, Palamunai. Runner-up – Addalaichenai Central College.

Elle: champions – Minhaj Maha Vidyalaya, Palamunai. Runner-up – As-Siraj Maha Vidyalaya, Akkaraipattu.

When will Kandy’s football get back to where it was? This is the question on every football fan's lips. There are plans, by some of the keen football lovers to help kick back football to its former glory days when Kandy produced top class players who went on to sport national colours. If that is to happen then it is essential that a new set of competent promoters should serve in the committee. Today football in Kandy is in the doldrums, from 1988 to 2010 the sport flourished, but sad to say, the sport is now at a low ebb.

Football is a game popular all over the world but it is sad that it is not so in Kandy which has rich history in the Hill Capital when men who mattered ran the game when even Colombo feared them. But sadly the game has received step motherly treatment in the last six years or so, and is out of the big picture. The Kandy Association Football League (KAFL) is 93 years old.

Football in Kandy can be traced back and has a record of over being over 150 years, when white servicemen were there they took a keen interest. Kand AFL was formed in 1925. It is one of the founder members of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) (earlier known as Ceylon Football Association). Kandy had one of biggest leagues with over 40 teams.

At present, the people who are involved administrating Kandy football don’t know its history. Only now a knockout tournament is played in Kandy. Last year the AGM and the tournaments was not held and the FFSL has not taken any action.

Kandy won the All Island Senior and junior League championship for the first time under the presidency of B.M. Liyanage. With this win Kandy toured Nepal. It was the first ever Kandy team to go on an overseas tour, that was in early 1990’s. What the controlling body should do is to appoint an interim committee and run football in Kandy until it is properly organized. They should obtain the support of those who have done great service to this game in the past. Last year’s AGM was not held, and a person who is involved with football. a club owner who is into gambling tried to come in as president to promote his gambling.

Holding office for prestige is not what is required now. People must come forward and serve football. Today, most officials holding office are only keen on coaching and refereeing for financial benefits. If football in Kandy is to improve the controlling body must put the leagues on the correct path.

The FFSL is not showing any interest for Kandy football. It is time they woke from their deep slumber and started to move the game of football in Kandy towards the right direction.

Ex-Sri Lanka captain Hashan Tillakaratne and his wife Apsari Singhabahu Tillakaratne, who heads Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket, commended the role played by the Lake House to promote school cricket through the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest for the past four decades.

Tillakaratne, who now serves as the high performance batting coach of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and his charming wife Apsari, the head od SLC’s women’s cricket, were of the view that the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest has been a source of encouragement and inspiration to young cricketers to progress beyond school level.

Ex-national captain Tillakaratne, who was adjudged the runner up to Asanka Gurusinha, the present manager of the Sri Lanka national team, for the Best Batsman award in 1986, said they anxiously looked forward to the event during their school days. “It was the biggest event for us those days when I was playing school cricket for D.S. Senanayake College. Even now, choolboy cricketers are eagerly looking forward to this event which rewards the most outstanding schoolboy cricketers,” he said.

“ There is a great feeling when you know that your hard efforts would be rewarded at the end of a school season. You have a hope when you play for your school. Standing at the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer victory podium is a great feeling for any schoolboy crickter,” Tillakaratne said adding that the organisers the Sunday Observer of Lake House and its present sponsor SLT Mobitel deserves credit for recognizing school talent.

“School cricket is the stepping stone for club cricket and to the Sri Lanka national pool thereafter. It is important that we encourage and inspire them to march to the next level,” said the veteran Sri Lanka captain who was a member of Arjuna Ranatunga’s 1996 World champion team.

“The sponsor Mobitel is rendering a great service by providing the financial backing for the show which is undoubtedly a great source of encouragement for thousands of schoolboy cricketers in the country who are dreaming of representing their country at some level,” added Tillakarate who had represented Sri Lanka in 83 Tests to aggregate 4,545 runs with 11 centuries and 20 fifties at an attractive average of 42.87.

He made his Test debut for Sri Lanka in December 1989 in the second Test against Australia in Hobart. Incidentally, his last Test for Sri Lanka too had been against Australia where he made an unbeaten 74 at the SSC ground in March, 2004.

Tillakaratne’s talent was not only confined to the established game but also in ODIs. He was a vital ingredient in the Sri Lanka ODI team, including that of the 1996 champion team which beat Australia by seven wickets in Lahore to win the ICC World Cup 22 years ago. He had represented Sri Lanka in 200 ODIs to aggregate 3789 runs at an average of 29.60 with two centuries and 13 half tons.

Meanwhile, Apsari Singhabahu Tillakaratne stressed the importance of having a similar event to recognize the achievements of schoolgirls playing cricket. Since taking over the role of heading women’s cricket at SLC, she has worked hard to popularize the game among girls’ schools.

Along with the district coaches of SLC, she travels across the country to spot raw talent that could be carefully groomed to fill vacancies in the national women’s team. Since taking over the destinies of women’s cricket, she has been able to discover rich talent for the national women’s pool.

“The best way to have a strong Sri Lanka national women’s pool is by popularizing the game at school level. When I took over, only a few girls’ schools were involved in cricket. But now we see more and more girls’ schools playing cricket. That’s a positive sign,” she said.

In a bid to further promote and popularize the game among girls’ schools, Apsari introduced a series of ‘big matches’ to make it a passion among the new generation. “It has been a great success. We encouraged major schools in selected towns to play big matches, similar to customary annual encounters played among boys’ schools. We provided technical and logistical support for them to inaugurate a series of big matches so that schoolgirls would come to witness those and generate a passion for the game. Such girls’ big matches were played in several areas, including Nuwara Eliya,” she said.

Apsari said promoting women’s cricket among schools enables them to have a strong national development pool, giving better options for the selectors when picking the Sri Lanka women’s team. “When more and more girls’ schools play cricket, we have enough talent for the district squads. We are maintaining district squads throughout the island.

The most outstanding girls at those squads will be picked to the national development pool,” she said while adding that the Sri Lanka women’s team has been training under Hemantha Devapriya, assisted by Oshadee Weerasinghe.

“We have introduced the Super Four format in women’s cricket too. Dambulla, Galle, Kandy and Colombo teams will compete in the Super Four. Outstanding players from other areas will get a chance to represent these teams and gain experience. They could prove their class at the highest domestic level and make a strong claim for places in the national pool,” she added.

The national mobile service provider, Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel continues to provide that ‘smart connection’ to the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest as the principal sponsor. Under the directions of the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Telecom and SLT Mobitel P.G. Kumarasingha, the Chief Executive Officer of the SLT Mobitel, Nalin Perera has made a significant contribution towards the success of the event during the past decade. The Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year continues to enjoy the longstanding association of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) and the Sri Lanka Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association with the blessings of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), headed by Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala.

Voting for the most popular segments of the 40th Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest, continues under three divisions. The most popular contest is gradually reaching its peak as the season is coming to an end by early next month. Voting coupons for the Observer-Mobitel Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest appear in the Daily News, Sunday Observer, Dinamina and Thinakaran.

The 40th edition of the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest is scheduled to be held in July.

Incidentally, this will be the 11th consecutive year that SLT Mobitel will be sponsoring the Mega Show, which has a rich history of producing legendary cricketers, including Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, world’s highest Test wicket taker Muttiah Muralitharan and the Chief ICC Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle.

Winning the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year title has been the dream of every schoolboy cricketer as they generally believe that the prestigious title would take them closer to wear the Sri Lanka ‘cap’. Most past winners of the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the tile had made their Sri Lanka debut in next to no time, some of them just months after winning the ‘Crown’.

There are three past Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year main award winners in the current Sri Lanka team - Dinesh Chandimal (2009), Niroshan Dickwella (2012) and Kusal Mendis (2013). The trio stepped into the Sri Lanka team just months after their crowning glory to become vital ingredients of the national team.

Chathuranga Lakmal won the bronze medal for Sri Lanka in weightlifting at the 21st Commonwealth Games held in Australia this morning.

He competed in the 56kg category, lifting a total weight of 248kg.

Malaysian weightlifter Muhammad Azroy won the gold medal lifting a total weight of 261kg and Indian weightlifter Gururaja won the silver medal lifting a total weight of 249kg.

Madampa MMV squad:

Two schools from Ambalangoda Education Zone - Devapathiraja College Rathgama will meet Madampa MMV in the 2nd “Battle of Brothers” annual Cricket encounter for Sir Ernest De Silva Memorial Challenge Trophy at Madampagama School ground on April 6 and 7.

Devapathiraja Rathgama won the match in last year and they lead in the series

Devapathiraja Rathgama will be led by Pethum Madhusanka and Thisra Dilshan will be assisting him as deputy skipper.

Madampa MMV will be led by Udesh Chathuranga Mendis and Kavindu Sureshana will be the deputy skipper.

Devapathiraja College played in division two in the schools cricket season. Devapathiraja advanced to the semi final in the two day tournament and quarter final of the limited overs tournament. Devapathiraja played 14 matches and they won 4 matches and lost 2 matches. Other matches were drawn.

Madampa MMV played in division three in the school season. They played only seven matches and they won only one match and lost six matches.

Left hand batsman, last year captain and most experienced player Raveen Yasas scored more than 1250 runs and was the leading batsman with a double century and 2 centuries of the schools season. Skipper Pethum Madhusanka scored over 700 runs and took 69 wickets he was leading wicket taker in the side. Sudeera Weerarathne scored over 600 runs and Pawan Sandesh scored over 450 runs. Jeewaka Shasheen scored over 450 runs. Deputy skipper Thisara Dilshan and Kalpa Chethiya Gimhana scored more than 250 runs.

Kavindu De Zoysa scored more than 200 runs for Madampa MMV. Malsha Tharupathi took 28 wickets and he scored more than 150 runs.

(YK)

Colombo FC clinched the City Football League President Cup as they registered victory for the third successive year by beating Saunders by 2 goals to 1 in an closely fought final played at the City Football Complex grounds recently.

The game from the first touch itself was fast pace and in the 6th minute owing to a mis-judgement by the main and assistant referees and a non fair play approach by Colombo FC players resulted in a goal against Saunders.

According to reports Saunders skipper Chanuka Eranga was elbowed on the face by an opposition player and he fell to the ground and was on the ground until the move from 10 meters from the center line had ended being a goal.

As Saunders’ veteran goal keeper Asanka Viraj tried to stop the ball it bounced off his hands to see M.N.M. Fazal slot the ball into the right corner to give the much needed lead for Colombo F.C.

Organiszers of the tournament were not with this incident and were seen discussing with the match official after the match.

Ten minutes later Saunders had flopped two chances in tow minutes as Janith Piyumal and most senior striker N.C. Abeysekare missed the chances from close ranges.

However in the 22nd minute Abeysekera amended for his lapse earlier by sending a cool pass to Sundararaj Niresh who in turn sent the ball floating into Colombo F.C. goal which was the eaqualizer for Sanders.

From there onwards the momentum of the game changed and both teams tried their best to take the lead.

As the half time was nearing another blunder in Saunders defence line saw M. Safran Sathar put Colombo F.C. ahead with a perfect goal.

At the breather Colombo FC were leading 2 goals to one.

After the turn around both teams were going all out to score but the defencive tacticts thwarted the chances of both teams.

In the final moment of the game both teams missed several chances and when the final whistle was blown by R. Prasanth. Colombo FC had won the match with a difference of one goal.

Sundararaj Niresh of Saunders was adjudged the best player of the tournament while Lakpriya Fernando of Colombo FC won the best goalkeepers award.

Colombo FC won the City League President Cup outright and a cash prize of Rs. 200,000/- plus gold medals. The runners up Saunders pocketed Rs. 100,000/- cash prize along with a trophy plus silver medals.

The other teams that took part in the tournament organized by City Football League were Java Lane, Moragasmulla, Cooray and Victory.

R. Puvanendiran, the President of City Football League sponsored the tournament and Anura de Silva, Presedent of FFSL was the chief guest and gave away the awards. Ravi Kumar of AFC was the guest of honour.

A practical test for the Karate players who undergo training under the instructions of Shihan L P Edirisinghe, the Sri Lankan Representative/Coach of Kamitsuma Oku Karate Kai Japan Sri Lanka Branch was held at the main hall of Kalutara Girls National School recently.

Over 150 school going Karate players (girls and boys) from many schools in the Kalutara District took part in this practical examination held by Edirisinghe and he was assisted by two experienced Black Belt Karate Coaches, who are also students of Shihan Edirisinghe.

The Karatekas who participated in this test qualifie4d to receive white belts up to the Black Belts and the speciality was that the parents of the competitors had also come to witness the belt-awarding ceremony. Two little kids, aged 7 and 9 also received Yellow Belts at the test, while three of the boys were promoted as Black Belt holders.

The two Yellow Belt holders Senuli Nethara Wijesundara (a grade 2 student aged 7, at Kalutara Girls National School) and M Sethumli Imansa Perera (a girl student aged 9, at Tissa Central College, Kalutara)

The three Black Belt Karatekas are Range Buddika de Silva (of Tissa Central College, who qualified after 8 year training), Tharusha Rukshan (Kalutara Tissa Central College, after 7 years training) and Isuru Amith Siriwardena.

Seylan Bank sponsored the Golden Jubliee National Carrom Championship 2018 as the official title sponsor which concluded at the Hilton Residence Colombo recently. Chamil Cooray of Seylan Bank bagged SL National Singles title for the 14th time defeating his opponent Nishantha Fernando, former 2012 World Carrom Champion of SL Air Force. The final award ceremony took place coinciding with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Sri Lanka Carrom Federation (CFSL).

“I joined Seylan Bank in the year 2005 and I am very much thankful to the support I have been receiving through means of flexible work arrangements and timely sponsorships by Seylan Bank which help me immensely in balancing both work and carrom life” says Chamil.

One of the significant moments of this year’s event was, winners were awarded cash prizes in addition to the trophies and souvenirs.

Being an employee of Seylan Bank for 14 years, Chamil praises the continuous support and sponsorship given to him by the bank and how his achievements are acknowledged.

An unprecedented number of 72 entries from 28 member firms have confirmed participation at the 17th Travel Trade Sports Club (TTSC) Bowling Championships 2018 to be held today (April 6) at the Strikes Cosmic Bowling Centre, Excel World, Colombo 10, from 3.00 pm onwards. Luxe Asia ‘A’ won the title last year.

The Teams : Aitken Spence Travels, Amadeus Lanka, Amaya Resorts & Spas, Browns Tours, Ceylon Roots, Citrus Waskaduwa, Classic Travels, Connaissance de Ceylan, Theme Resorts, Eco Team,Emirates Air, Exotic Holidays, Green Holiday Centre, Hamoos Travels, Hayleys Travels, Hemas Aviation, Hemas Travels, Kingsbury Hotel, Luxe Asia, Mayflower Holidays, Reddot Travels, Resplendent Ceylon, Shums Travels, Singapore Airlines, Travel Outlook, Viluxur Holidays & Walkers Tours.

The Tournament is sponsored for the first time by Pearl of Asia.

Two Sri Lankan weight lifters Chathuranga Lakmal and woman weight lifter Dinusha Gomes bagged two bronze medals for the country on the opening day of the XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia yesterday.

Lakmal was the first to win the bronze in morning competing in the 56 kg weight category he lifted 249 kgs. The winners was Malaysia’s Mohamed Azrah Mohamed Izfar Hawafi who lifted 261kgs from the Snatch and Jerk to set a new Games record. The earlier Games record too was set by a Malaysian way back in 2002. India’s Gururaji won the silver medal for lifting 248 kgs, a kilo ahead of Sri Lanka’s Lakmal.

A soldier from the Commando Regiment 28 year old Lakmal who held the Sri Lanka national record was able set a new National record with his lift of 249 kgs.

Lakmal speaking to the Daily News said that his aim was to win a medal for his country which he did. He said that was confident of a medal according to his fitness on that day. Even his coach R.B. Wickramasinghe had predicted that he would win a medal because of his strong mentality.

The evening session that went on till late night saw woman lifter Dinushi Gomes win the second medal for the Lankans. She too did well to set a national record for the women’s 46 kg weight class clearing 155 kgs.

Indian Chanu Sailkho Virabai of India won the Gold medal setting another Games record for the same discipline lifting an astonishing 196 kg. Marie Saiko Roilyawas was placed second and received the silver.

Dinusha whos has been in the sport from 2006 has won many awards in Sri Lanka including the National School Games weight lifting Championship. She said that at present she has reached Asian Games qualifying standard and hopes to win another medal for Sri Lanka at the forthcoming Asian Games.

The Lankan swimmers who took to the waters yesterday failed to live up to expectations when they were beaten comprehensively. Chiranta de Silva competing in the 50 meter Butterfly event finished way behind the leaders clocking 25.13 seconds. The other swimmer to enter the waters Akalanka Pieris competing in the 50m Butterfly clocked 25.32secs.

In the evening Akalanka swimming in the 50m Back Stroke once again failed to impress when he could muster only a time of 58.68secs.

In Badminton India thrashed Sri Lanka 5-0.

The confrontation between the two top school rugby teams Royal College and St.Joseph’s College Maradana in the Singer ‘A’ Division inter-schools league rugby first round match at Havelock Park today should turn out to be a thriller. The match will kick off at 4.15 pm.

Royal who came back to their normal pattern of play from the very first match against Kingswood College Kandy where they won 29 points to 5 under the coaching of dedicated and hardworking former national rugby captain Dushanth Lewke has been training really hard in the last few weeks and are determined to pull off a morale-boosting win.

Joes on the other hand started training two to three months back under the watchful eyes of their coach Nilfer Ibrahim who was also the Sri Lanka national sevens head coach some time back.

The forte of the Royal team has been their power-packed forwards. The Royal ‘eight’ especially their ever green Sasitha Siyath, Maleesha Madumewan along with Himantha Hirushan, Ebrahim Barrie, Nuwan Jayawardena and Ifam Fareed have always given a terrific display in the loose but today they will be given a torrid time by the Joes forwards spearheaded by burly Shavon Gregory, John Ganegoda, Sonal Damien, Tharindu de Alwis and Nimesh Kavinda ably supported by Shehan Kelaniyagoda.

In the set scrums Royal hooker Fareed should get the better of his vis-à-vis Damien while the line outs should be shared between the Royal duo of Sasitha Siyath and Maleesha Madumewan and Joes Kavinda and Kelaniyagoda of Joes.

With the halves combination of Mubeen Falleel and Nikhil de Silva having clicked very well in the last few matches the Royal side will hope that Falleel will set his three quarters in motion at every turn as they have two hard running centres in Janindu Dilshan and Thulaib Hassan.

In addition they also have two experienced wingers in skipper Shabith Feroz and Yasis Rashmika who have stood out with their powerful runs down the flank with full back Dulan Gunawardena often joining the line to form the overlap.

But the Josephian speedy three quarter line is having a slight edge over the Royal threes as they have players of the caliber of cracking centres in Gamunu Chethiya and skipper Shameesha Verangana along with speedy wingers Dulanjana Piyatissa and K.D. Kavinda with ever reliable full back Shan Akila who is a safe player both in attack as well as in defence. All will depend on how their nippy scrum half Rashen Gunawardena will feed their speedy three quarter line and the kicking boot of fly half Santhush Algama.

St.Joseph’s will have to be at their very best if they are to beat the formidable Royal team as presently Royal looks invincible and hard to beat.

Going by the two team’s starting line ups and the performances so far in this ongoing league tournament, a close tussle for supremacy can be expected today.

Vinod Weerasinghe cruised to a 6 & 5 victory over Sathsara Dilshan to win the Rukmini Kodagoda Challenge Trophy and the title of Sri Lanka Junior Boys champion 2018. Vinod, winner in 2016 and runner-up in 2017, clinched the Junior champion title for the second time, playing excellent golf in the final.

The Sri Lanka Junior Match-Play Golf Championship, sponsored by P&S Bakers for the fifth consecutive year, displayed beyond reasonable doubt the improvement and development of junior golf in Sri Lanka.

Chairperson of the junior Sub- Committee, Niloo Jayathilake said: “Today, we witnessed some amazing golf by juniors with the girls’ final taking center stage. The first hole saw Kayla sink an amazing 20 foot putt for a birdie with Taniya Minel responding with an eagle to win the first hole. The final produced 3 eagles with Kayla making an eagle on the 7th whilst Taniya added the 11th hole eagle to her 1st hole spectacle and a flurry of eight birdies between them.”

SLGU Council member Niloo also added that even the members and amateurs at the RCGC rarely produced this high standard of golf in a final as displayed by Kayla and Taniya.

Nirekh Tajwani continued his consistent performance to win the Silver Division defeating K. Danushan with consummate ease 5 & 4.

Ten-year-old Shanal Binuksha, a talented junior following in his father’s and grand father’s footsteps cruised to a 7 & 6 victory over M.S. Sanjay of Nuwara Eliya Golf Club to win the Bronze Division. Kaya Daluwatte won the Copper Division (9+ & under) for the second consecutive year defeating Thejas Rathis Kanth comfortably 3 & 2.

The Rukmini Kodagoda Challenge Trophy was given away by Gihan Perera (CEO - P&S) on behalf of the sponsors Perera & Sons Bakers. “We are proud to sponsor the Junior Golf Match-play Championship in memory of the late Rukmini Kodagoda, a Family Director of P&S,” said Gihan Perera.

Rukmini Kodagoda was a star golfer, tennis national champion and above all an exemplary sportswoman who was committed to developing golf from the junior level. The progress and growth of the junior golf is a tribute to the commitment of the Sri Lanka Golf Union president’s vision of laying the foundation at junior level and the untiring efforts of the Junior Sub-Committee of the SLGU focused on promoting golf among children, students and juniors.

Two brilliant tries apiece scored by captain Chamuka Seshan and Hasidu Dinusha brought D.S. Senanayake College a smashing 38 points (6 tries, 4 conversions) to 10 (2 tries) win over Dharmaraja College Kandy in their Singer ‘A’ division inter-schools league rugby tournament first round game played at Navy grounds in Welisara yesterday. At lemons DSS led 24-5.

D.S. Senanayake fought like terriers in the entire match combining effectively with their forwards and backs giving no room for their opponents. Dharmaraja collapsed following relentless pressure from the entire DSS outfit.

For the winning D.S. Senanayake side the six tries were scored by second row forward cum captain Chamuka Seshan (two), third row forward Hasidu Dinusha (two), centre Kavinda Pathirana and wing three quarter Isuru Fernando one try apiece. Hasidu slotted in the four conversions.

Centre Malintha Rajapaksa and Supun Wijesiri scored a try each for Dharmaraja.

Dhammissara National School Nattandiya beat Ananda National School Chilaw by five wickets to win the inaugural Battle of Pearl limited overs cricket encouter played at Nattandiya yesterday.

Ananda Chilaw were bowled out 152 with Pasindu Heshan making a top score of 53. Mohammed Rizlan took 5 wickets for 28 runs and Rusiru Hansaka took 3 wickets for 24.

Dhammissara National School replied with 154-5 in 31.1 overs with Kasun Gunawardane scoring 40.

Ananda Chilaw: 152 in 26.1 overs (Pasindu Heshan 53, Dilshan Sathasra 22, Mohomad Rizlan 5/28, Rusiru Hansaka 3/24, Ashan Shanuka 2/40)

Dhammissara NS: 154/5 in 31.1 overs (Kasun Gunawardana 40 n.o.,, Nislaka Nayanajith 30, Nisal Fernando 30, Ashan Bandara 2/29) - YK

The 9th Ruhuna Battle of Gold cricket encounter between Rajapaksa Central College Weeraketiya and Vijitha Central College Dickwella ended in a draw at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Sooriyawewa yesterday.

Rajapaksa Central replying to Vijitha Central’s first innings of 127 scored 164 for 9 wickets declared with Tharindu Ishan scoring an unbeaten 21 and Menusha Dinu taking 7 wickets for 48 runs.

In their second innings Vijitha Central scored 11 runs for one wicket.

Vijitha Central: 127 in 59.1 overs (Lahiru Kosala 37, Tharindu Ushan 5/47, Pivithuru Piyadasun 2/15) and 11/1 in 8 overs

Rajapaksa Central: 164/9 decl. (19/3 o/n) in 67.2 overs (Tharindu Ishan 21 n.o., Menusha Dinu 7/48, Kushan Malinda 2/47) - YK