Former Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara doesn’t appear to be a great admirer of the recently appointed Cricket Interim Committee. During a television interview with Derana TV, he said that the current government must take responsibility if the newly-appointed panel failed to deliver.

MP Jayasekara has long been known as a man who shoots from the hip and at times, as a doomsday prophet, if his scathing criticism of the Hambantota Port project in the past is anything to go by.

In 2015, retired judge the late Prasanna Jayawardene formulated a comprehensive restructuring plan for Sri Lankan cricket, modelled along South African lines and SLC sought time from the ICC to implement these sweeping changes.

However, powerful cricketing figures within the government at that time sensed danger and convinced President Maithripala Sirisena to effect a Cabinet reshuffle. The Sports Ministry was shifted from the UNP to the SLFP.

Having switched his political alliance to the ruling party yet again, Dayasiri was brought in as Minister of Sports.

At his first interaction with the media, he left a strong impression. There was genuine optimism as he answered questions intelligently, spoke of the bigger picture and explained the legal framework required to drive reforms with striking clarity. Those present walked away convinced that he was the right man to take sports forward.

However, under his watch, reforms were stalled, fresh elections were called and SLFP strongmen returned to the helm of SLC. It was, without doubt an opportunity missed. Soon, the Minister of Sports found himself a prisoner of his own SLFP colleagues within government ranks.

From thereon, Dayasiri made a series of blunders. He became embroiled in a running battle with fast bowler Lasith Malinga, with their public spats repeatedly going viral across social media platforms.

Sri Lanka were touring India in 2017 and the limited-overs squad was preparing to fly to Delhi for the second leg of the tour. Dayasiri raised a storm, insisting that the Sports Minister’s approval had not been obtained before the team’s departure. Despite SLC apologising for the oversight, he demanded that the players return home and follow protocol. Appeals were made to the Minister over the phone by the players, but he refused to budge. The players were ordered to disembark. Those who doubt this episode can verify it with Thisara Perera, who captained the white ball team.

During his recent television interview, Dayasiri came out with a range of conspiracy theories, including claims of intervention by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before Shammi Silva was asked to step down. With the world grappling with a crisis in the Gulf region, the leader of the world’s largest democracy surely has bigger fish to fry than meddling in another nation’s cricketing affairs.

The former Minister also questioned how newly appointed head coach Gary Kirsten would function alongside the Interim Committee, while casting aspersions on Justice Chithrasiri – whose recommendations on cricket governance are expected to come into force soon – branding him a government loyalist.

No government is without fault and criticism is both necessary and healthy. But Dayasiri, in this instance, appears to be swinging wildly without sighting the ball and his words are best taken with a pinch of salt.

by Rex Clementine

Under-17 Division I Cricket Tournament

Defending champions Devapathiraja College, Ratgama are set to begin their title defence of the Inter-School Under-17 Division I Cricket Tournament on May 19.

‎The tournament, which will feature 70 teams from across the island, promises a highly competitive opening round, with each team scheduled to play a minimum of seven matches depending on their group composition.

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Sandaru Malshan will captain
Devapathiraja Under
17 team this season.

Led by captain Sandaru Malshan, Devapathiraja will open their campaign against Rahula College, Matara. The Ratgama school created headlines last year when they stunned several traditional powerhouses to clinch their maiden Under-17 Division I title, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing history.

‎Placed in Group B, Devapathiraja will face strong opposition from southern schools including Vidyaloka, Mahinda, St. Aloysius’ and Richmond from Galle, along with St. Servatius’, St. Thomas’ and Rahula from Matara.

Meanwhile, last year’s runners-up Mahanama College, Colombo are drawn in a competitive Group C. Their group features Holy Cross, Kalutara, St. Peter’s, Colombo, S. Thomas’, Mt. Lavinia, Ananda, Colombo, Piliyandala Central, Tissa Central, Kalutara, Taxila Central, Horana and Kalutara Vidyalaya.

‎The 70 teams have been divided into eight groups, with the top four teams from each group advancing to the second round. The next stage will see 32 teams competing in a knockout format, raising the stakes as the tournament progresses toward crowning a new champion.

‎With strong contenders across all groups and the defending champions eager to retain their crown, the tournament is expected to deliver exciting school cricket action in the weeks ahead.

by Reemus Fernando

Fifteen-year-old Sri Lankan squash player Sithumli Mendis has achieved consecutive international success, securing third place finishes in both the 2026 Australian Junior Open and the Oceania Junior Championships in the Girls’ Under-17 category.

Competing in the Australian Junior Open, Sithumli entered the tournament ranked 17th in a strong field of 32 players. She produced impressive performances throughout the event, defeating several higher-ranked opponents to advance into the semi-final stage. Although she fell short in the semi-final, she bounced back strongly to win the third-place playoff and secure a podium finish.

She carried her strong form into the Oceania Junior Championships, where she once again claimed third place in the same age category. The tournament featured over 400 players from more than ten countries, making it a highly competitive international event.