Sports

Clay target shooting resumes at Payagala with CTSCC Club Day

Published

5 years ago

2020/08/20

After a lapse of more than a year, the Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo (CTSCC) resumed shooting activities with the first Club Day at the Clay Target Shotgun Range at Payagala on Saturday. The Club Day not only signified the resumption of shooting sports, which were forced to stall activities due to a circular issued by the Ministry of Defence in 2019, but also as an opportunity to the members of CTSCC who had not taken part in any sort of shooting sport activity.

The day was filled with activities of clay target shooting, an Olympic sport in which Sri Lanka has the potential to claim global recognition. The shotgun range in Payagala, managed and operated by the CTSCC is a venue where many national clay target shooters compete and train prior to international events.

“The Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo was delighted to have its Club Day after many months of closure. It was a very pleasant sight to see the members interact with each other and enjoy a beautiful day of clay shooting, followed by fellowship and lunch,” the CTSCC, issuing a statement, said.

Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo possesses the only purpose-built clay target shotgun range in the country, and is the venue for National Trap and Skeet Meets of the National Shooting Sport Federation of Sri Lanka (NSSF). CTSCC is an active affiliate of NSSF, who also suffered a huge setback due to the closure of many shooting ranges throughout the country.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Jofra Archer back as England and Sri Lanka begin World Cup countdown

Published

2 hours ago

2026/01/30

Priyan

Jofra Archer will return ahead of schedule from his side strain (Cricinfo)

Time for the real quiz. As pleasing as it was for Harry Brook and Brendon McCullum to win a rare ODI series away from home – England’s first in almost three years – the true purpose of their return to the coal-face so soon after the Ashes was to help them tune up in the shortest format, with a T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka just around the corner.

England are a more confident beast in T20, as evinced by them blasting 304 for 2 against South Africa last September – the highest score in games between Full Member nations. But this series will provide important reconnaissance ahead of the World Cup, with England set to play their three Super 8s games in Sri Lanka (assuming no slip-ups in the group stage, where they face Nepal, West Indies, Scotland and Italy).

That game at Old Trafford effectively sealed the deal on Jos Buttler reuniting with Phil Salt at the top of the order (after Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett were tried earlier in the summer) and most of the line-up fills itself in from there. Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson have been earmarked as the experienced frontline spin pairing, with the potential also to call on Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks; Sam Curran helps balance the side, while Jofra Archer, who was not in the original squad, is a surprise inclusion, fit to lead the seam attack after a side strain interrupted his Ashes.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, need to brush up on their T20 skills as they prepare to host a global men’s ICC competition for the first time since 2012. As Andrew Fidel Fernando, ESPNcricinfo’s senior writer out in Sri Lanka, said on the Switch Hit podcast at the start of the tour, perhaps they could do worse than learning some of the reckless habits that are second nature to their guests?

The days of Sri Lanka being a team of freewheeling mavericks at the cutting edge of the format are long gone. To pick out just one measure of their conservatism, since the start of 2025, Sri Lanka batters have scored at a rate of 8.09 per over in T20Is – quicker only than Afghanistan and Bangladesh, among Full Members. Results have been patchy, with one series win – against Zimbabwe – in that time.

They have a new captain, too, albeit an old hand in Dasun Shanaka, who previously did the job between 2021 and 2023. He officially replaced Charith Asalanka last month (though Asalanka remains in the squad) and has already found himself in the spotlight trying to explain decisions by the selectors. with Kusal Perera seemingly retained at the expense of Kamindu Mendis, despite the latter being, in his captain’s words, “a very valuable player”.

The backroom has at least been strengthened, with Vikram Rathour and Lasith Malinga among the experienced heads Shanaka can turn to. And there is still plenty to work with: the likes of Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana all dangerous talents who evoke the rebellious spirit of Sri Lanka’s golden period.

While Sri Lanka’s T20 batting has become more and more inhibited, Pathum Nissanka has ascended to the peak of his hitting powers. Five years since coming through with a first-class average in the 60s and a reputation as a classical strokemaker, he shapes as one of the players best placed to carry Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup hopes on home soil. He had his best year in T20Is in 2025, pushing his strike rate up to 149.16 and scoring a maiden hundred (although the moment was slightly spoiled by Sri Lanka slipping up against India and losing the Super Over). A 24-ball fifty in the third ODI against England, briefly firing hopes of chasing 358, showed his batting is in the right mode.

Liam Dawson comes across as someone who would rather the spotlight be pointed in completely the opposite direction, but he has steadily become a key cog in the white-ball set-up – after years of collecting winners’ medals on the fringes. Since being recalled last summer as part of England’s planning for a subcontinental World Cup, he has taken twice as many wickets (12) as he did in the first eight years of his T20I career, performing his role with aplomb as the middle-overs flannel who suffocates opposition batters.

Sri Lanka look set to field a very similar top order to that used in the ODI series – although that may not include Pavan Rathnayake, who has batted once in T20Is but won a place in the squad after his sparkling maiden hundred on Tuesday. Dushmantha Chameera returns to contention after being rested for the ODIs, but Sri Lanka might want to have a look at his back-up, Pramod Madushan, whose last T20I appearance was in 2023. Dunith Wellalage was practising his range hitting at training on Thursday and could also be in line for a recall.

Sri Lanka (possible): Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage/Dunith Wellalage, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera/Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana

England named their team a day out, with Salt, the No. 2-ranked ICC batter, partnered by Buttler and Tom Banton carded at No. 4, having been apprenticing as the side’s finisher. Jacks missed the New Zealand tour with injury but is back to take over from Jordan Cox (who isn’t in the squad) at No. 7, while Jamie Overton is preferred to Luke Wood and Brydon Carse. Duckett was considered after bruising a finger during the third ODI. Fast bowler Josh Tongue could make his T20I debut at some point on the tour.

England : Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (capt), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.

(Cricinfo)

Sports

Nestomalt run for Sri Lanka on Sunday

Published

13 hours ago

2026/01/30

Thilina Walpola

Nestomalt Run for Sri Lanka Marathon 2026, organised by SingleTree Events, will be held in the city of Galle on 1 February 2026, from 6.00 a.m. onwards, bringing together runners, families, and communities for a morning fuelled by purpose and energy.

‎Designed to be inclusive and high-spirited, the Nestomalt Run for Sri Lanka Marathon 2026 features four running categories catering to all ages and fitness levels – from seasoned athletes to families running together. The categories include: 21.1 km – Elite Run, 10 km – Challengers Run, 5 km – Fun Run, 2 km – Family Run.

‎More than just a race, the Nestomalt Run for Sri Lanka Marathon carries a powerful cause at its heart, with all proceeds directed to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, reinforcing the collective spirit of giving back and thriving together as a nation.

‎True to its legacy, Nestomalt continues to champion active lifestyles, encouraging Sri Lankans to push boundaries and take on life with Power, Strength, and Energy. By supporting initiatives like the Nestomalt Run for Sri Lanka Marathon, the brand reaffirms its commitment to uplifting communities while inspiring healthier, more active living. With energy in every step and purpose in every run, Nestomalt is set to help power a memorable start to Run for Sri Lanka Marathon 2026.

‎Guided by its purpose of ‘unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come’, Nestlé Lanka has been enriching Sri Lankan lives for 120 years, nourishing generations with tasty, and nutritious products across the country.

Sports

Kumarasiri shines as Sri Sumangala earn first innings points against Ananda

Published

13 hours ago

2026/01/30

Thilina Walpola

Left-arm spinner Mevindu Kumarasiri came up with another impressive bowling performance, taking seven wickets as Sri Sumangala College Panadura took first innings points against Ananda College in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ cricket encounter at Ananda Mawatha on Thursday.

‎In the Tier A matche concluded on Thursday, Mahanama and Prince of Wales took first innings wins.

‎Results

‎Tier B

‎Sri Sumangala take first innings points at Ananda Mawatha

‎Scores

‎Sri Sumangala 272 all out in 71 overs (Pansilu Silva 35, Neksha Iddamalgoda 86, Bihanga Silva 30, Umantha Akash 21, Sadika Damyuru 24, Dinusha Dulanjana 23; Chamathka Irusha 2/35, Himira Kudagama 4/34) and 139 all out in 51.1 overs (Neksha Iddamalgoda 38; Himira Kudagama 6/54)

‎Ananda 208 all out in 66 overs (Danindu Sellapperuma 75, Himira Kudagama 26, Kithma Vidanapathirana 29, Lithma Perera 29, Rashan Dilaksha 21; Mevindu Kumarasiri 7/69, Bihanga Silva 2/32) and 17 for no loss in 4 overs

‎Tier A

‎Cambrians on first innings win against Maris Stella at Kadirana

‎Scores

‎Prince of Wales 310 all out in 76.3 overs (Suwas Fernando 84, Pramesh Fernando 88, Oshan de Silva 49; Hashmika Nethshan 6/24) and 167 for 5 in 37 overs (Oshan de Silva 40, Pramesh Fernando 75, Pasan Cooray 31; Savindu Sathsara 3/29)

‎Maris Stella

257 all out in 72.3 overs (Hansaka Perera 20, Kavith de Silva 91, Hashmika Nethshan 36; Nethul Anuhas 4/72, Oshan de Silva 3/20)

‎Mahanama post 342 for nine at Uyanwatta

‎‎Scores

‎St. Servatius’ 237 all out in 71.1 overs (Risinu Kithmuka 64, Thathsilu Bandara 92; Geeth Sandaruwan 2/41, Sithum Vihanga 4/57) and and 126 for 7 decl. in 41 overs (Tharul Weerarathne 57n.o., Binal Nethmaka 24; Geeth Sandaruwan 3/24, Kaushika Thilakarathne 2/09, Thenuja Rashmin 2/28)

‎Mahanama 116 for 1 overnight 342 for 9 decl. in 73 overs (Sineth Veerarathne 75, Kaushika Thilakarathne 35, Venura Kaveethra 27, Sanul Weerarathne 34, Sithuma Vihanga 24, Gimantha Dissanayake 71, Thaviru Perera 38; Samiru Gimhan 3/52, Praveen Madushanka 3/84, Lasindu Ramanayake 2/122) (RF)