Sports

D-Day looms for Sri Lanka Cricket

Published

1 day ago

2026/10/18

Eran Wickramaratne’s Cricket Transformation Committee has brought in financial discipline into SLC, but their biggest achievement will be introducing a new constitution that makes SLC a modern body on par with Cricket Australia and England and Wales Cricket Board

by Rex Clementine

The long awaited overhaul of Sri Lanka Cricket has reached a decisive stage, with the Supreme Court set to play a pivotal role next week in determining the fate of the proposed new constitution.

For months, legal experts have been burning the midnight oil, working on sweeping reforms aimed at dragging cricket administration into the modern era and bringing its governance structure into line with international standards. The draft constitution was presented to Parliament and following days of debate, received the legislature’s initial nod. The matter is now before the Supreme Court, where interested parties have been given an opportunity to raise objections.

A lawyer and former cricket board chief Thilanga Sumathipala have so far filed objections. The judges will examine whether these challenges have merit and more importantly, whether the proposed constitution is compatible with the law of the land.

One contentious provision that has raised eyebrows among key stakeholders is the proposal to strip District Cricket Associations of their voting rights.

October 20 is the deadline for submitting objections. The court will then fix dates for arguments, following which the judges are expected to communicate their determination to the Speaker of Parliament within 48 to 72 hours.

Parliament will subsequently have to complete the remaining legislative formalities before the new constitution can become law, potentially drawing the curtain on decades of mediocrity, mismanagement and administrative wrangling in cricket administration.

More objections had been anticipated from those who have called the shots at Maitland Place in recent years. Although several expressed reservations behind closed doors, few have shown any appetite for a courtroom battle.

There is a delicious irony here. When these gentlemen were running Sri Lanka Cricket, they would dash to Hulftsdorp at the drop of a hat, seeking judicial intervention even if a reporter called them ‘misfits’. Now, with the very structure that sustained them facing the axe, they appear to have developed a sudden case of cold feet.

The proposed constitution promises greater transparency in the running of the cash rich cricket board. Equally important is the emphasis on efficiency and professionalism, with suitably qualified individuals expected to occupy key administrative positions rather than appointments being dictated by friendships, club loyalties or reputations earned on the cricket field.

The Sunday Island learns that the Attorney General’s Department has been providing legal advice and expertise to the Cricket Transformation Committee from the outset.

Former ICC legal officer David Becker was also brought on board to lend his expertise to the drafting of the new constitution.

For years, successive governments have been reluctant to confront the cricket establishment, despite mounting public pressure for meaningful reform. Administrators survived one controversy after another, even weathering a unanimous parliamentary resolution calling for their removal following the national team’s disastrous performances.

Their survival owed much to their connections in the corridors of power. Whenever their positions came under serious threat, the spectre of Sri Lanka losing its ICC membership was raised, effectively holding the country’s cricketing future to ransom.

This time, however, the familiar manoeuvres have been conspicuous by their absence.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake recognised the depth of public dissatisfaction with cricket administration and opted for a different approach. Rather than installing a political loyalist, as has so often been the practice when filling influential positions, he entrusted the responsibility to Eran Wickramaratne, a figure from the opposition political camp.

A former first-class cricketer and banker, Wickramaratne brought financial expertise to an institution where fiscal discipline had long been a subject of concern.

AKD also enlisted the services of three respected former cricketers; Kumar Sangakkara, Roshan Mahanama and Sidath Wettimuny, to help steer Sri Lankan cricket through a difficult period.

It is said that members of the Cricket Transformation Committee, despite hailing largely from the Colombo and Kandy elite, have been so impressed by President AKD’s vision and his hands off approach to cricket administration that they are now inclined to cast their votes for the NPP at the next election. That, if true, would be quite a political transformation in its own right.

The results on the field have not arrived as quickly as supporters would have wished. Sri Lanka’s performances remain a source of frustration and there is still a mountain to climb before the national team can regain its standing among the game’s elite.

But one significant change is already evident. Those entrusted with the responsibility of putting cricket back on its feet have sent an unmistakable message: no individual, however celebrated or influential, is bigger than the game.

Even the superstars are beginning to fall in line.

That, in itself, is no small achievement in a cricketing culture where reputations have too often carried more weight than results.

The real test, of course, lies ahead. A new constitution alone will not produce world class cricketers or restore Sri Lanka to its former glory. But sound administration is the foundation on which lasting success must be built.

After years of false starts, broken promises and endless power struggles, Sri Lankan cricket finally has an opportunity to turn the page.

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Sports

Malinga’s career best effort fails to stop Pakistan crossing 300

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

Pakistan were looking for a big total at 215 for four with 13 overs remaining, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers struck back to reduce them to 305 in the curtain-raiser of the tri-nation tournament in Rawalpindi yesterday

Eshan Malinga returned career best figures of four for 46, but his impressive spell could not prevent Pakistan from breaching the 300 run mark in the curtain-raiser of the ODI tri-nation series in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

Pakistan were bowled out for 305, with former captain Salman Ali Agha leading the charge with his fourth ODI hundred.

Agha struck a fluent 107 off 90 deliveries, peppering the boundary with ten fours and a six before falling to Asitha Fernando. The Sri Lankan seamer was equally impressive, returning tidy figures of three for 39.

Agha featured in a 97 run partnership with Hasan Nawaz and at 215 for four with 13 overs remaining, Pakistan appeared poised for a formidable total. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers clawed their way back into the contest, applying the brakes just when the hosts threatened to run away with the game.

On a surface tailor made for batting, Sri Lanka’s late fightback could prove crucial, with the visitors fancying their chances of chasing down the target.

Left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka finished with two for 67, although his figures flattered him somewhat. He was guilty of straying onto the pads far too often, offering the Pakistan batters several scoring opportunities.

Sri Lanka went into the contest with just four specialist bowlers, leaving the part timers to shoulder a fair share of the workload. To their credit, the makeshift attack rose to the occasion, sharing ten overs between three bowlers without allowing Pakistan to completely dictate terms.

Dasun Shanaka did the lion’s share of the work, sending down seven overs, while Sahan Arachchige and Kamindu Mendis chipped in with the remaining three.

Sri Lanka also welcomed back top order batter Avishka Fernando, who returned to the ODI fold after spending several years on the sidelines.

England are the third team in the tri-nation competition, which serves as valuable preparation for next year’s World Cup.

The opening three matches will be played in Rawalpindi before the tournament shifts to Lahore for the remaining fixtures, including the final.

Sri Lanka are in the midst of a marathon 50 day tour of Pakistan. Having already completed a three-match T20I series, they will turn their attention to the tri-nation tournament before playing a First Class warm-up fixture followed by two Tests.

Sports

Mahinda face St. Sebastian’s in opening quarter-final

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

19 Division I – Tier ‘A’ Cricket

by Reemus Fernando

‎The top eight teams begin their battle for the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ limited-overs title today, when Mahinda College, Galle, take on St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, in the first quarter-final at Dombagoda.

‎Led by Dulsith Dharshana, Mahinda qualified for the knockout stage with wins over St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota (by five wickets), Royal College, Colombo (by six wickets) and Lumbini (by ten wickets). Their only defeat came against St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, the only side to top 200 against them. In their other matches, Mahinda’s bowlers kept opponents to low totals.

‎That bowling unit, spearheaded by left-arm paceman Sadew Nethmina, appears to have peaked ahead of the crucial clash. They bundled Lumbini out for 40 in their last match, with Nethmina and Vishmitha Sathsara sharing nine wickets between them.

‎St. Sebastian’s reached the knockout stage on the back of wins over Maris Stella College, Negombo, and D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo. Their match against Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, ended without a result because of rain, while they lost by two wickets to Richmond, the eventual group champions.

‎St. Sebastian’s boast a strong batting line-up, with Hirusha Perera, Navinu Fernando, Lashen Fernando, Thivanka Fernando and Meshone Ferdinando all making notable contributions in the group stage. Skipper Koshendra Fernando is expected to lead the bowling attack with his spin, supported by Adeesha Lakshan, Lashen Fernando and Risinu Prabesh.

‎Teams

Mahinda (from):

Dulsith Darshana (Captain), Sadew Nethmina (Vice Captain), ⁠Randula Mabarana, ⁠Manitha Rajapaksha, ⁠Sehas Ashinsa, ⁠Kaveesha Githmal, ⁠Thiyon Helika, ⁠Kavindu Nimsata, ⁠Gesandu Bisas, ⁠Vishmitha Sathsara, Buddhima Tharupathi, ⁠Naviru Nishitha, ⁠Nihindu Sesitha, ⁠Anuga Palliyaguru, ⁠Senuja Vehan, ⁠Kevin Geemitha, ⁠Bakshara Jayarathne.

‎‎Officials: Denuwan Rajakaruna (Head Coach), Sandaru Nethmina (Asst. Coach), Y. Nishantha Kumara (Master in Charge)

‎St. Sebastian’s (from): Koshendra Fernando (Captain), Meshone Ferdinando, Nisila Dimath, Navinu Fernando, Hirusha Lochana, Lashen Fernando, Thejan Bandara, Chamath Wellalage, Risinu Prabesh, Sanoj Perera, Deneth Keshara, Adeesha Lakshan, Dilena Fernando, Thiwanka Fernando, Shenas Hashein, Pathiv Vehan, Dineepa Wickramsooriya.

‎‎Officials:

Lahiru Kanishka (Head coach), Nishantha Fernando (Asst. Coach), Sandaru Tharusha Perera (Master in Charge)

‎The other three quarter finals will be played on Tuesday as per the below schedule.

‎‎Mahanama Colombo V St. Joseph’s Darley Road at Mattegoda

‎Nalanda Colombo V St. Anthony’s Katugastota at Campbell Place

‎Richmond Galle V Wesley Colombo at Weeraketiya

‎‎Several big names fell at the first hurdle, including last year’s finalists Royal College, Colombo, as well as S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Trinity College, Kandy, and St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya. Royal and St. Peter’s were in the same group and finished behind Mahinda and St. Anthony’s. S. Thomas’ were in Group ‘A’, where Mahanama and Wesley edged out the rest to book their places.

‎

Sports

Mihinsa breaks Poornima’s decade-old record

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

Mihinsa Dewmini Abeyratne who established a new meet record in the Under 20 high jump event poses with her coach Gamini Dias.

by Reemus Fernando

‎Asian Junior Championship medallist Mihinsa Dewmini Abeyratne broke a ten-year-old meet record to win the Under 20 high jump at the All Island Schools Games Athletics Championship at Diyagama on Sunday.

‎The President’s College, Embilipitiya, athlete cleared 1.75 metres, equalling her personal best, to erase the record of Poornima Gunarathne of Leeds International, Panadura. Gunarathne’s mark of 1.74 metres had stood since 2016.

‎Trained by retired sports officer Gamini Dias, Mihinsa was expected to achieve something special this season after setting a personal best of 1.75 metres at the same venue earlier this year. She followed that with a bronze medal at the Asian Junior Championship in Hong Kong.

‎Hers was one of six meet records to fall by the time this report was filed on day three of the meet.

‎In the girls’ category, Lyceum International School, Wattala, and Ave Maria Convent, Negombo, set new marks in relay events. In a closely contested Under 14 4×100 metres final, Lyceum clocked 51.35 seconds to erase Musaeus College’s 2019 record. Ladies’ College, who finished second in 51.52, also bettered the previous mark.

‎Ave Maria Convent edged Nimala Maria Balika in another tight finish to win the Under 16 girls’ 4×100 metres in a new meet record of 49.49 seconds. Nimala Maria Balika also bettered the old record.

‎In the boys’ category, Sadeesh Denuwan of Halmillaketiya MV stole the limelight with a new meet record of 11.22 seconds in the Under 14 80 metres hurdles. Maneesha Samarasinghe of Lyceum International, Wattala, set a new record of 13.09 seconds in the Under 16 100 metres hurdles.

‎Lyceum International, Wattala, also set a new meet record of 3:13.76 in the Under 20 4×400 metres relay.