Sports

“You can’t take a break for education”-Lalith Priyantha

Published

6 years ago

2021/03/24

Sahan Weerasooriya

A table tennis legend speaks

by A Special Sports Correspondent

Table tennis was one of worst affected sports due to the pandemic. One reason for this could be that most players are also engaged in some kind of coaching; hence there being a loss in income.

Table tennis legend and veteran’s player Lalith Priyantha was one such player. He said that he survived a difficult period.

We can’t sometimes fathom as to how Priyantha stays in shape and contests the veterans’ events. Times were hard during the past one year without coaching and Priyantha looks back and can send a sigh of relief.

He coaches two schools and Methodist College, one of those schools, was good enough to release his salary in full despite table tennis activities coming to a standstill in the country. Life for table tennis coaches looked bleak for almost a full year because health authorities banned all sports in the island.

Exactly after March last year the table tennis players got an opportunity last February to access their growing skills when they contested the All Island Ranking Table Tennis Tournament conducted by the Western Province Table Tennis Association for the year 2020. Afterwards they played in another All Island Ranking Table Tennis Tournament in Kegalle which was conducted by the Sabaragamuwa Province Table Tennis Association, also of these being events in the table tennis calendar for year 2020.

Priyantha is one person who sought media attention for the sport during the pandemic. He organised press conferences and said table tennis would be one of the safest disciplines to conduct because the players positioned themselves at a safe distance during matches. He is of the opinion that the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTASL) must be innovative and shouldn’t wait till the government or the Ministry of Sports clears the path for them.

The sport over the years lacked the involvement of former national players as administrators. The reason for this is a rule brought by the Minister of Sports that individuals involved in coaching can’t hold office in national sports associations. That literarily ruined the chances of Priyantha serving the TTASL; which he once did in the capacity of president. But he states that he is willing to serve the TTASL in an advisory role if he along with past national players are drafted into a committee to help the sport. He states that much can be done to take the game to schools which have not had the table tennis experience.

One thing that is to his advantage is that he still plays competitive table tennis and contests all the veterans’ tournaments. “This helps me to be in touch with the players. I can also relate to them because I also coach schoolgirl table tennis players. A coach must be able to be the sparring partner of players and play his shots” said Priyantha who is still fit for a 55 year old veteran player. For the record he is the present singles champ and has won the doubles and mixed doubles events at the national veterans’ table tennis tournaments.

Priyantha is happy about the present facilities the players enjoy. Most tournaments are now played on carpet and the players play with the best rackets and shoes. But it was not so many years ago. Priyantha remembers wearing t-shirts which were not stretchable; which made playing shots all the more difficult. But the sun shone on him in 1987-1988 when Butterfly company (Japan) sponsored him offering him rubbers, rackets and t-shirts. That was a boon, but he had other advantages. He was squint-eyed so opponents struggled to read his movements. He finished off his opponents with his forehand play; hence his backhand rubber was rarely wasted.

If there is one word that describes this man it’s ‘versatile’. Of course during his playing days he was known by the press by a gamut of names: Piranha, Dark Horse, King of Ping Pong and King Kong of Ping Pong. But after retiring in 1993 after the national players’ tour to Germany he stepped on his coaching and also served the association as an administrator and Sri Lanka coach.

Describing his career in table tennis he compared it to following a map and not as a venture where he was achieving one goal after another. He enjoyed playing table tennis and one of the benefits or fringe benefits he received was winning medals. He won on most days he played, but there were also days where he lost. Winning a tournament and waiting anxiously overnight to read about it in the newspapers the next day destroyed his sleep.

He is a coach who creates bridges so that the younger generation of players can reach him. Apart from coaching the players at the two schools he is coaching Priyantha also undertakes private coaching. He would be mindful when talking with youngsters and avoid saying, at any cost, words like, “During my time things were different and we did things differently’. That would, according to Priyantha, burn the bridges that would connect the present generation with the past. “I never compare people in different eras because the present generation wouldn’t relate to that. I just appreciate and acknowledge their skills and effort” said Priyantha who during his youth was rated as the island’s number one player and also became the Sri Lankan male player with the highest world ranking.

He wants the present players to do well and bring glory to the country. According to Priyantha winning a medal outside South Asia is extremely difficult for Sri Lankans, but not unthinkable if the right contributions and exposure are provided for the players. In one rare instance of comparing eras Priyantha said that players during his time played in about 10 domestic tournaments while the present generation players are contesting as little as 3-4 domestic tournaments per year; hence lesser opportunities for the present players to grow and much easier to secure player rankings.

He is also concerned about education clashing with table tennis in a country like Sri Lanka. “Players in this country think very differently and take a break from the sport to pursue exams. This is an unhealthy practice and something of great concern. In other countries players manage both table tennis and education and this method of balancing sports and studies continues throughout their sports careers till they complete their degrees,” reminded Priyantha.

The veterans table tennis player wishes to work with the younger generation of players for many more years. He wants a player to come up from the present set of players and make Sri Lanka proud. He wishes them to be better players and at the same time be educated individuals. But he wishes them to see the thin dividing line that separates those who receive an education and end up as average performers and those who receive the same education and become extremely successful and to be in that second group he wishes his chargers to cultivate intelligence.

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Sports

Dickwella axed, Bandara earns maiden Test call up

Published

19 hours ago

2026/10/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

Anjala Bandara, 22 years of age and from far off Matale, has earned a call up to the Test side.

by Rex Clementine

The Niroshan Dickwella experiment has proved short lived, with the national selectors deciding to move on and handing a maiden Test call up to 22-year-old Anjala Bandara, who is expected to take over the wicketkeeping duties for the two match Test series against Pakistan.

Dickwella’s recall after more than three years in the wilderness had raised quite a few eyebrows. The selectors defended their decision, arguing that he remained the finest wicketkeeper in the country. Few disputed that claim. The concerns, however, were never about his glovework but rather his ability to shut out the noise, keep his emotions in check and maintain discipline off the field. True to form, India’s fielders managed to get under his skin in the second innings of the Galle Test and the left-hander duly lost patience and threw his wicket away.

A fellow left-hander, Bandara’s journey to the national side has been anything but conventional. He first emerged from the little known Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya in Matale before being snapped up by St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota. He eventually found his way to Mahanama College for his Under-19 cricket and now turns out for Colombo Cricket Club.

While Bandara has been prolific with the bat, boasting a formidable First Class average of 65, his work behind the stumps remains a work in progress. The selectors, however, believe he has made sufficient strides to be thrown into the deep end of Test cricket.

“We had a special programme for Anjala. In fact, we sent him to Mahesh Gunathilaka, one of the finest wicketkeepers produced by the country. He has worked on a few areas and we feel he is ready for Test match cricket,” Chairman of Selectors Kapila Wijegunawardene told The Island.

Wijegunawardene also confirmed that Pasindu Sooriyabandara would open the batting in Pakistan.

The former Royal College batter made his Test debut as a concussion substitute against India in Galle after Dinesh Chandimal was injured, but his introduction to the highest level was hardly a fairytale as he departed for a first ball duck. He made amends in the second Test, however, with impressive knocks of 80 and 92, showing that his baptism by fire had done little to dent his confidence.

Although Pathum Nissanka has been included in the squad, his availability remains subject to fitness. The prolific opener had been expected to return for the tri-nation series in Pakistan beginning later this week, but his recovery from the hamstring strain that ruled him out of the T20 series has taken longer than anticipated.

The Pakistan series will also mark Kusal Mendis’ first assignment as Test captain. His predecessor, Dhananjaya de Silva, who stepped down from the leadership, retains his place in the squad, although whether he makes the playing XI is another matter.

With competition for middle order places heating up, the former captain could find himself in a straight shootout with Kamindu Mendis for one of the remaining berths. It is an intriguing selection headache, particularly given that Dhananjaya was leading the side only a few weeks ago.

Another interesting inclusion is Eshan Malinga, who has largely been regarded as a white ball specialist. The selectors have now opened the door for him in the longest format, offering the young quick an opportunity to prove that his skills extend beyond the limited overs game.

Sports

Richmond edge Maris Stella to move closer to quarter-finals

Published

19 hours ago

2026/10/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

Spinner Tenusha Nimsara has taken nine wickets in three matches.

by Reemus Fernando

Richmond College are all but through to the quarter-finals of the Under-19 Division I Tier A Limited Overs Tournament after a nine-run win over Maris Stella College, Negombo, under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method at the Army Grounds in Karandeniya on Monday.

‎It was Richmond’s third straight victory, and it puts them at the top of Group ‘B’ with one match remaining.

‎Batting first, Richmond posted 171 for nine in their allotted 50 overs, with Bevin Jayawardana top-scoring with a patient 55 off 88 balls. Punal Hansajith contributed 24 off 39 deliveries, while Risinu Rupasinghe made 22 and Ravinu Randinu added 18.

‎Maris Stella’s Malan Kadigamuwa led the bowling effort with three wickets for 37 runs in nine overs, while Rosel Perera claimed two wickets for 31 runs in his 10-over spell.

‎In reply, Maris Stella reached 127 for six in 42 overs against a revised DLS target of 136. Richmond therefore secured victory by nine runs under the method.

‎Punal Hansajith and Tenusha Nimsara claimed two wickets each to keep the Maris Stella batting line-up in check. Hansajith conceded just 20 runs in nine overs, while Nimsara gave away 14 runs in seven overs, with both bowlers maintaining tight control.

‎For Maris Stella Kavith de Silva scored 29 off 46 balls, while Gaveesha Induwara remained unbeaten on 24 off 38 deliveries. Manuja Nayanajith added 23 off 55 balls, and Yumeth Sathmira contributed 16.

‎In their previous encounters bowlers domnated for Richmond to beat Sri Sumangala College Panadura and St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa comfortably.

‎Sri Sumangala were dismissed for 106 runs with Hiruk Akalanka, Tenusha Nimsara and Punal Hansajith claiming two wickets apiece. Akalanka returned figures of 2 for 21 in six overs, while Nimsara took 2 for 21 in five overs, including one maiden. Hansajith also claimed two wickets, conceding 24 runs in 5.3 overs. Hiruka Akalanka then lead the chase with a knock of 45run (in 46 balls with5fours and 2 sixes) to seal a six wickets win.

‎The match against St. Sebastian’s saw Tenusha Nimsara hog the limelight, taking a five-wicket haul to restrict the Moratuwa outfit to 115 runs.

‎Richmond had a few anxious moments in reply but got home with two wickets in hand.

‎In Group ‘A’ the contest is still open with S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia slightly ahead of others after Jaden Amaraweera scored a cracking 76 off 75 balls (7x4s, 4x6s) to lead them to six wickets win over Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa (153/8 in 50 overs) on Monday. S. Thomas’ (200/9 in 50 overs) had a DLS tie against Trinity (126?4 in 36) and their other match ended in a no decision.

‎While Mahinda were leading Group ‘C’ by Monday, Nalanda completed their quota of first round matches unbeaten in Group ‘D’.

Sports

CIC Holdings partners Rumesh Tharanga on his journey towards Olympic glory

Published

19 hours ago

2026/10/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

From left: Gayan Lakshan Perera, General Manager - Marketing and Corporate Communication; Ashan Ransilige, Chief Executive Officer, Link Natural Products; Waruna Madawanarachchi, Managing Director, CIC Agri Cluster; Ajith Weerasinghe, Chief Executive Officer, CIC Feeds Group; Aroshan Seresinhe, Group Chief Executive Officer, CIC Holdings PLC; Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage; Physiotherapist Chandima Sarathchandra Gurusinghe and Thushara Premakeerthi Pathirage.

Diversified conglomerate CIC Holdings PLC (CSE: CIC) has partnered with Sri Lankan national athlete Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage as his Official Nutritional & Wellness Partner, supporting his journey towards the 2028 Olympic Games and his ambition to bring home Sri Lanka’s first ever Olympic gold medal.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment that extends beyond conventional sports sponsorship, with CIC standing alongside Rumesh through the years of preparation.

Rumesh Tharanga has established himself among the world’s leading javelin throwers following a landmark 2026 season. He set a Sri Lankan national record of 92.62 metres in Rome, claimed the Commonwealth Games title and became Sri Lanka’s first Diamond League champion. He strengthened his position as the world’s No. 1 ranked men’s javelin thrower by winning gold at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest with a 91.09 metre final round throw. Most recently, he won Sri Lanka’s only gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 by winning the men’s javelin throw

For more than six decades, CIC has been part of the lives of Sri Lankans through its presence across agriculture, healthcare and wellness, personal care and other sectors. The partnership extends this longstanding role of nurturing Sri Lankan lives to supporting the journey of an athlete pursuing an ambition with significance for the entire nation.