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CARAT – 2026 begins in Sampoor, Trincomalee
The Sri Lanka Navy and the United States Navy commenced the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2026 (CARAT 2026) maritime exercise in Sampoor, Trincomalee today, 27 July 2026.
The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy and Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Buddhika Liyanagamage.
The bilateral exercise is held with the aim of strengthening maritime security cooperation and enhancing operational interoperability between the two naval forces.
The exercise, which will run from 27 to 31 July, comprises a series of training activities involving the Sri Lanka Navy, including Navy Marines, Naval Infantry, the Sri Lanka Air Force, and the United States Marine Corps.
Training modules cover a wide range of operational areas, including operational synchronization (OPSO Syn), cyber security, diving and salvage, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS), explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), maritime domain awareness (MDA), medical subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE), diving tactics (DIVTACS), replenishment at sea approach and Station Keeping By Distance Line (RASAPP & SKBDL), live-fire exercises and combat readiness assessment (LIVE FIREEX & CRAA), casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), search and rescue (SAR), photo exercises (PHOTOEX), Helicopter Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (HVBSS) and snake handling demonstrations.
Among those attending the inauguration were Commandant of the China Bay Air Force Academy, Air Vice Marshal Amal Perera, Acting Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet, Commodore Dhanesh Pathberiya, Director Marine, Commodore Sanjeewa Kodikara, and Captain Michael J. Messenger, Deputy Commander of Expeditionary Strike Group SEVEN / Amphibious Force, Seventh Fleet / Task Force 76 of the United States Navy, along with military personnel from both countries.
Leah Poulton the former Australia batter turned coach and administrator, will join England Women as managing director, succeeding Clare Connor.
Poulton will be charged with overseeing the success of the international team and pathways after the ECB cited her “impressive track record driving women’s cricket forward in Australia”.
Poulton earned 90 caps for Australia before retiring in 2015 and has spent the past six years as head of elite female cricket at Cricket New South Wales. There, she oversees cricket performance operations across two WBBL franchises, women’s state cricket and one of the world’s largest women’s cricket talent pathways.
Before that, she spent three years at Cricket Australia as a High Performance Coach, where she was instrumental in setting up Australia’s enviable women’s high-performance pathway, which included developing the Australia A and Under-19s women’s teams.
In her new role, she will be accountable for the performances of England Women, England Women A, England Women Under-19s and the overall women’s high-performance system.
Poulton will start in her new role in November with England set to host the Women’s Ashes next summer. She fills the role vacated by Connor, who announced earlier this year that she would be leaving the ECB after a career spanning 18 years, and will work closely with England Women’s head coach Charlotte Edwards and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.
“I’m incredibly excited and honoured to be joining England, and to have the opportunity to help shape our programmes and, most importantly, invest in our people,” Poulton said. “I’m looking forward to working with Charlotte, Nat and the wider team, building on the strong foundations already in place and taking the programme forward.
“I know how vital strong pathways and a healthy domestic game are to sustained success, so I’m looking forward to connecting with people across the game and helping give the next generation of English players every opportunity to thrive. It’s a huge privilege to be part of England Women, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Richard Gould, the ECB’s CEO, said that with the senior women’s team had made under Edwards, appointed last year, and having reached the final of their recent home T20 World Cup, England Women were well placed for a successful era.
“I’m delighted to welcome Leah on board to help us build on this and take us to the next level,” Gould said. “She has a deep understanding of international cricket from her playing career and has built an impressive reputation in her time in administration.
“I believe she and Lottie will be a formidable combination, and will continue the team’s progress and development as we compete for the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy and Women’s Ashes in 2027.”
[Cricinfo]
University of Sri Jayewardenepura weightlifter Avindu Liyanagedara made history yesterday by becoming the first Sri Lankan university student to win a gold medal at a World University sports event, as Sri Lanka made a spectacular start to the 2026 World University Weightlifting Championship in Doha, Qatar.
Liyanagedara won the men’s 60kg title, while Sabaragamuwa University’s Nipun Dissanayake added a bronze medal in the 65kg category on the opening day of the championship.
Liyanagedara lifted 105kg in the snatch and 132kg in the clean and jerk for an impressive combined total of 237kg.
Spain’s Gomez Martinez took the silver with 228kg, while Chun-Yen Tang of Chinese Taipei won bronze with 227kg.
Dissanayake also secured a podium finish in the 65kg class with a total of 220kg, comprising a 100kg snatch and a 120kg clean and jerk.
Iran’s Mohhadov Tehran won the gold with 289kg, with Moldova’s Ion Badanev taking silver with 288kg.
Liyanagedara’s achievement represents a landmark breakthrough for Sri Lankan university sport. His gold is the first gold medal won by a Sri Lankan university student at a World University sports event, while Dissanayake’s bronze further strengthened the country’s historic opening-day showing.
The Sri Lanka University Sports Association has entered five male and two female athletes for the championship, with University of Colombo’s Sujan Walgampaya serving as team manager and coach.
The championship continues in Doha until September 12, with Sri Lanka already assured of a memorable place in the history of World University sport through Liyanagedara’s historic gold medal.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
England Women appoint Leah Poulton as managing director
Bangladesh bank on bowlers in bid to bring India down
Avindu makes history with first World University gold for Sri Lanka
Establishment of National Trade Negotiation Committee (NTFC) and Trade Policy Consultation Committee.
Showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts
Justice Minister hits back at CLA
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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