Sports
Dialog felicitate Para medal winners
Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider and prolific promoter of Sri Lankan sports, honored Sri Lanka’s World Para Athletics Championships medallists at a ceremony held at its headquarters on Thursday. The team, supported by Dialog, showcased their exceptional talents at the recent World Para Athletic Championships in Kobe, Japan, bringing home three medals. This achievement underscores Dialog’s commitment to excellence in sports and the remarkable capabilities of its athletes.
Indika Gamage’s performance in the T-44 100 meters final was spectacular as he secured a bronze medal with a time of 11.83 seconds. Demonstrating his prowess and consistency, Gamage qualified for the final after an impressive win in heat 1, clocking in at 11.75 seconds. His achievements in the sprint category have brought pride to Sri Lanka.
Samitha Dulan captivated the audience by setting a new world record in the Men’s F-44 Javelin Throw event. The 33-year-old veteran athlete demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication, earning a silver medal in the F-64 event with a throw of 66.49 meters. Dulan’s record-setting throw on his first attempt,
followed by consistent high-performance throws of 63.96m, 53.91m, 59.81m, 56.51m, and 65.01m, has etched his name in the annals of sporting history. As a bronze medallist in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and the 2023 Paris World Championships, Dulan’s latest feat cements his status as one of the leading figures in para-athletics globally.
In the men’s Shot Put T – 42 category, Palitha Bandara secured a bronze medal with a throw of 14.27 meters, contributing to Sri Lanka’s three medals at the nine-day competition. These achievements highlighted the country’s growing presence in international para-athletics.
Dialog is a proud sponsor of the NPC and has a history spanning more than two decades with Paralympic sports in Sri Lanka. The company first sponsored the Sri Lanka Paralympic contingent in 2000, followed by 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020, including sponsorship of the National Para Athletics Championship.
This partnership has been instrumental in fostering an environment conducive to the remarkable success of Sri Lankan para-athletes on the global stage. Noteworthy accomplishments include securing one gold and three bronze medals at the Paralympic Games, two silver and three bronze medals at the World Para Athletics Championships, and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. Moreover, Sri Lankan athletes have
demonstrated exceptional prowess at the Asian Para Games, amassing nine gold, 18 silver, and 22 bronze medals over the years.
“Over the years, Sri Lankan Paralympic athletes have consistently won medals and brought glory to the country. We have been a strong, encouraging, and long-term sports partner for people with disabilities in
Sri Lanka, tirelessly supporting their efforts at both national and international levels. I would like to thank our main sponsor, Dialog Axiata PLC, for their unwavering support,” said Lt. Col. Deepal Herath, President of the Sri Lanka Paralympic Committee.
“The partnership between Dialog and NPC aligns with the company’s ongoing dedication to empowering differently-abled individuals through sponsorships such as this. We are honored to give our fullest support over the years for these athletes to achieve their potentials in para sports. We congratulate the medal winners and all those involved in making them international stars. We at Dialog will continue to support them as they conquer new frontiers,” said Asanga Priyadarshana, Group Chief of Risk and Compliance, Dialog Axiata PLC.
Dialog Axiata is also a dedicated sponsor of the national cricket, volleyball, and esports teams and the primary sponsor of the Sri Lanka Golf Open. The company promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion through sponsorships in the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka and National Paralympic Committee, enabling
athletes to participate in national and international tournaments. Further, in line with its commitment towards empowering the champions of tomorrow, the company continues to power the President’s Gold
Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tournaments, and school rugby.
by Rex Clementine
India are closing in on a big win at SSC after Sri Lanka slumped to 229 for six at stumps on day four of the second Test having been forced to follow on yesterday.
Sri Lanka lead by just 16 runs with four wickets in hand and with three sessions remaining, the tourists will be looking to wrap up victory and complete a 2-0 series sweep. India won the first Test in Galle by 165 runs.
Sonal Dinusha, who batted superbly for a hundred in the first innings, was unbeaten on seven when rain brought play to a premature end. With Sri Lanka now into the tail, Dinusha has his work cut out. He has been the hosts’ standout performer in the series, having also made 100 and 84 in Galle.
Sri Lanka resumed the day on 265 for eight, still needing 39 runs to avoid the follow on, but were bowled out for 290 and asked to bat again.
Although they lost both openers early, Kamindu Mendis and Pasindu Sooriyabandara gave Sri Lanka hope with a 115 run stand for the third wicket.
Sooriyabandara, who had made 80 in the first innings, once again played spin superbly, using clever footwork, while Mendis took on the fast bowlers.
But India had plenty of runs on the board and persisted with the short ball against Mendis, stationing three fielders on the boundary. Eventually, the plan paid off. Mendis took on Mohammed Siraj and perished for 55, with captain Shubman Gill running in from square leg to complete a fine catch.
That was the breakthrough India desperately wanted and the spinners quickly turned the screws. Three wickets fell for just nine runs as Sri Lanka surrendered the initiative and India regained control.
Sooriyabandara missed out on a well deserved hundred when he charged Manav Suthar. The left-arm spinner cleverly fired the ball wide, leaving the batter stranded as Rishabh Pant whipped off the bails in a flash. Sooriyabandara’s 92 came off 173 balls and contained ten fours and a six.
Having spent considerable time in the field, India’s bowlers were beginning to tire, evident from the number of loose deliveries they sent down. But Sri Lanka’s batters lacked the patience to drive home the advantage, with several throwing away their wickets just when the hosts appeared to be clawing their way back into the contest.
Sri Lanka Air Force emerged Overall Champions in both the Men’s and Women’s categories at the 14th Defence Services Badminton Championship concluded successfully on 21 August 2026 at the Sri Lanka Army Indoor Sports Complex, Panagoda.
The SLAF Men’s Team secured the Open Men’s Doubles and Men’s Team Championships, while the Women’s Team excelled by winning the Open Women’s Singles, Open Women’s Doubles and Women’s Team Championships.
In the Open Men’s Doubles, Leading Aircraftman Lochana De Silva and Aircraftman Achintha Imeshaqe secured the championship, while Aircraftwoman Praveena Wijesundara and Aircraftwoman Anurangi Masakorala claimed the Open Women’s Doubles title with Aircraftwoman Praveena Wijesundara winning the Open Women’s Singles Championship.
Major General Mohan Premaratne, President of the Sri Lanka Army Badminton Federation, was the Chief Guest at the awards ceremony while SLAF’s Director Sports Air Commodore Prabath Dissanayake, former Chairman Badminton Sri Lanka Air Force Air Commodore Poojana Gunathilake, Secretary Air Force Sports Council Group Captain Eranda Geeganage and Secretary Badminton Sri Lanka Air Force Wing Commander Thushara Wijeratne. were also present.
Malki Madara and Shashini Fernando shared nine wickets between them to help Sri Lanka Air Force Women beat Chilaw Marians Cricket Club Women by 169 runs and propel their team to the semi finals of the Major Club Womens Limited Over cricket tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket.
In the game played at their home ground in Katunayake on Monday [24], Sri Lanka Air Force posted 276 runs for the loss of eight wickets with Ashani Kaushalya topping the score card with 57 runs off 81 balls with ten hits to the ropes.Sasini Alwis and Wethumya Wijesuriya captured three wickets each.
Chasing 277 to win Shashini Fernando captured five wickets while Malki Madara captured four wickets to restrict the Chilaw Marians Cricket Club Women to 107. Skipper Sanduni Nisansala scored 38 off 61 balls with four boundaries and a six.
Sri Lankan Air Force Women will meet Panadura Sports Club Women for the semi-final at the LRDC ground on Friday (28)
Scores:
Sri Lanka Air Force Women 276/8 in 50 overs [Ashani Kawshalya 57, Malsha Shehani 32, Savindi Cooray 34*; Sasini Alwis 2-48, Wethumya Wijesuriya 2-67]
Chilaw Marians Cricket Club Women 107/10 in 43.5 overs [Sanduni Nisansala 38; Malki Madara 4-14, Shashini Fernando 5-09]
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