Sports
Asian Games medals cap remarkable year in track and field sports
by Reemus Fernando
Ending a decades long medal drought at the Asian Games was the most remarkable accomplishment by the track and field athletes during 2023. From schoolgirl Tharushi Karunaratne’s triumphant entry into track and field folklore to the men’s 4×400 metres team’s record-breaking feat at the Asian Athletics Championships breathed life into otherwise forgotten disciplines in the country’s sporting landscape.
The Ratnayake Central Walala prodigy had already showcased her potentials when she brushed shoulders against the likes of Gayanthika Abeyratne in the 800 metres and Nadeesha Ramanayake in the 400 metres during the previous year. The season opening trial in March was where Karunaratne exhibited her prowess first this year, winning the 800 metres in an Asia leading time of 2:01.39 seconds at Diyagama. It was followed by an impressive 53.41 seconds triumph in the 400 metres.
At the Asian Junior Championships, she bagged three medals including two golds. She was some five seconds clear of the silver medal winner when she sealed the gold in the 800 metres in a 2:05.64 seconds feat at the Yecheon Stadium in Yecheon, South Korea. Then she clinched the silver in the 400 metres while Jayeshi Uththara bagged the bronze. The 4×400 metres mixed relay gold was won in a new national record time when she joined Uththara, Vinod Ariyawansa and Shehan Dilranga. The other medal, a bronze was won by Kahawatta Central athlete Malith Yasiru who cleared 15.82 metres in the triple jump.
The Asian Athletics Championship held in Thailand was a remarkable success as Sri Lanka won eight medals including three golds. Sri Lanka men’s 4×400 metres team inclusive of Aruna Dharshana, Kalinga Kumarage, Pabasara Niku and Rajitha Rajakaruna smashed the meet record to win gold in a time of 3:01.56 seconds. They beat formidable India to the second place and shocked relay enthusiasts earning applauds from even rivals in a World Championship year.
They could not repeat the same feat at the Asian Games and the World Championships but the future looks bright for the relay team as three out of the four medallists are still in their early 20s. The other two gold medals were won by Karunaratne and Nadeesha Ramanayake. Karunaratne won the 800 metres gold in a new championship record time of 2:00.66 seconds, which Ramanayake stopped the clock in the 400 metres in a new personal best of 52.61 seconds. Veteran Gayanthika Abeyratne won bronze medals in the 800 metres and the 1,500 metres.
When Sri Lanka entered the Asian Games this year the country had endured a medal drought in track and field since 2006. Tharushi Karunaratne, the men’s 4×400 metres team, the women’s 4×400 metres team and Dilhani Lekamge combined to win four medals for Sri Lanka. While Karunaratne beat a strong field to win the 800 metres gold, the men’s 4×400 metres team settled for bronze behind India and Qatar. Lekamge threw the javelin to a new national record distance of 61.57 metres to clinch the silver medal. The women’s 4×400 metres team inclusive of Karunaratne, Ramanayake, Uththara and Lakshima Mendis settled for bronze behind Bahrain and India.
While victories at Asian Level were the top performances of the track and field team, triple jumper Shreshan Dhananjaya decamping during a competition in Europe and steeplechaser Nilani Ratnayake’s suspension due to a doping violation were the real low points of an otherwise remarkable year.
The country could not have the services of two leading athletes at Asian level this year. While Italy based sprinter Yupun Abeykoon who had produced a phenomenal sub ten seconds performance in the 100 metres had to withdraw from the team due to an injury, US based high jumper Ushan Thivanka did not make himself available due to reasons best known to him.
With their probable return Sri Lanka can only look forward to better performances during the Olympic year.
Sri Lanka Cricket have strengthened their backroom staff ahead of the World Cup by roping in former India opener Vikram Rathour as Batting Coach, SLC sources told The Island.
The 56-year-old brings a weighty CV to the dressing room, having been part of the Indian coaching set-up that lifted the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in 2024. Rathour is currently serving as assistant coach of IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, but will join the Sri Lankan camp next week.
Rathour is expected to stay on through the six-match white-ball series against England at R. Premadasa Stadium and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, before overseeing the team’s final tune-up for the World Cup. With a proven track record and a reputation for technical clarity, SLC will be hoping he can help the batters find their range before the big dance.
SLC have steadily been bolstering their support staff. Power-hitting coach Julian Wood was hired last year and continues to work with both the men’s and women’s teams from the High Performance Centre.
Former India Fielding Coach R. Sridhar has also had a stint with Sri Lanka overseeing fielding standards and is currently in Dambulla working with the squad involved in the three-match T20I series against Pakistan.
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Adding further firepower to the coaching arsenal, Sri Lanka great Lasith Malinga has been drafted in as fast-bowling coach up to the World Cup.
Sri Lanka have been placed in Group B of the 20-nation tournament alongside Australia, Oman, Zimbabwe and Ireland. The former champions open their campaign on February 8 against Ireland and are expected to progress to the second round, with Australia the only side ranked above them in the group.
An 18-member squad has already been named for the ongoing Pakistan series, with the final 15-man World Cup squad expected to be announced shortly.
The Sri Lankan leg of the tournament will be staged at R. Premadasa Stadium, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, while India will host the bulk of the competition, including the semi-finals and final. However, should Pakistan advance to the knock-out stages, both their semi-final and final will be played in Colombo under the hybrid model.
There has also been speculation that Bangladesh’s World Cup fixtures could be shifted to Colombo amid ongoing political tensions with India.
Under 19 Cricket
St. Benedict’s pulled off an exciting three wickets victory over St. Aloysius’ as Mewan Dissanayake held the batting line up together with an unbeaten half century in the Under 19 Division I tier ‘B’ match at Karandeniya on Wednesday.
Bens beat St. Aloysius’ by three wickets at Karandeniya
Scores
St. Aloysius’ 167 all out in 54.5 overs
(Chanul Sanketh 23, Vinod Danushka 23, Sevitha Dumal 37, Dulsath Nimviru 29; Yohan Edirisinghe 2/18, Vihanga Rathnayake 3/24, Lithika Jayasundara 3/09) and 116 all out in 52.1 overs (Chanul Sanketh 44; Ayesh Gajanayake 3/27, Lithika Jayasundara 2/16, Mewan Dissanayake 3/30)
St. Benedict’s 144 for 5 overnight 167 all out in 45 overs
(Tehan Bitar 30, Vihanga Rathnayake 28, Sithum Hasaranga 36, Lithika Jayasundara 31; Chenul Nethmina 4/42, Hiviru Nimtharana 4/22) and 117 for 7 in 31.3 overs (Mewan Dissanayake 52n.o.; Hiviru Nimtharana 2/09, Oshadha Devinda 3/39)
First innings win for Thurstan at Thurstan ground
Scores
Thurstan 257 all out in 74.4 overs (Akhen de Alwis 25, Yohan Senanayake 34, Rison Jansen 20, Sethru Fernando 57, Rachintha de Silva 29, Udarsha Nimsara 23, Dewmika Hewapathirana 21; Minaga Ariyadasa 5/88, Thenusha Nimsara 2/92, Nethuja Bashitha 2/25) and 121 for 4 decl.in 30.3 overs (Yohan Senanayake 44, Rachintha de Silva 63n.o.)
Richmond 69 for 2 overnight 166 all out in 53.5 overs
(Chalindu Karunaratne 52, Ameesha Rasanjana 25; Yovun Silpa 3/46, Thanuga Palihawadana 4/44) and 68 for 3 in 25 overs (Ameesha Rasanjana 24n.o.; Thanuga Palihawadana 3/39)
Dialog Television announced that it has secured the exclusive media rights in Sri Lanka for all International Cricket Council (ICC) events from 2026 to 2028, alongside a free-to-air broadcast collaboration with TV Supreme.
This landmark agreement positions Dialog Television as the official Pay-TV broadcaster of ICC events in Sri Lanka, covering all major tournaments across Men’s, Women’s and Under-19 formats. The rights include the ICC Cricket World Cups and T20 World Cups for both Men and Women, the ICC World Test Championship Final, and other ICC-sanctioned international events during the 2026–2028 period.
Dialog Television also holds the exclusive OTT and mobile streaming rights for ICC events in Sri Lanka, enabling fans to follow the action across smartphones, tablets, and connected devices. Supported by Dialog’s high-speed mobile network and expanding 5G capabilities, this ensures a smooth, high-quality viewing experience, allowing fans to enjoy ICC matches seamlessly via the Dialog ViU+ app, wherever they choose to watch.
Complementing its Pay-TV coverage, Dialog Television has partnered with TV Supreme as the official free-to-air (FTA) broadcast partner in Sri Lanka, ensuring nationwide access to ICC events. TV Supreme is a fast-growing free-to-air television network with an established presence in cricket broadcasting.
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