35th Battle of Kelaniya

Skipper Thathsara Eshan, left-arm spinner Poorna Kalhara and paceman Tharusha Kodikara produced outstanding performaces as Gurukula beat arch rivals Dharmaloka, Kelaniya by an innings and 83 runs at the 35th Battle of Kelaniya big match at P. Sara Oval on Monday.

Forced to follow on after being bowled out for 85 runs Dharmaloka performed better in the second essay but the left-arm spin of Poorna Kalhara was too hot to handle as they were bowled out for 120 runs.

The big match was played as a three-day encounter for the first time but Gurukula sealed an innings win with a day to spare as Kalhara completed a match bag of 11 wickets.

Bowling the bulk of overs in the second innings Kalhara returned impressive figures 25-10-38-7 to seal a comfortable victory. He made his presence felt in the batting department as well making a vavaluable half century. His efforts earned him the Man of the Match and the Best Bowler awards.

In the first innings, Kalhara was joined by paceman Tharusha Kodikara to rattle Dharmaloka for 85 runs. Kodikara ripped through the lineup with a five wicket haul.

Skipper Eshan top scored with 103 runs for Gurukula to post 288 runs. His century included 14 fours. He was adjuded the Best Batsman.

Poorna Kalhara (L) / Thathsara Eshan (R)

Dharmaloka skipper and wicketkeeper Hashen Shyamal was given the Best Fielder award.

It was the fourth victory of the big match series for Gurukula. Dharmaloka are yet to taste vitory in the big match. Gurukula are coached by Rasitha Dinesh Tharanga, under whose guidance the team reached semi-finals of the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ limited overs cricket tournament this season.

Scores

Gurukula

288 all out in 75.2 overs (Poorna Kalhara 57, Denura Dimansith 28, Thathsara Eshan 103, Janith Mihiranga 24, Tharusha Kodikara 26; Thishan Nipun 2/59, Sithum Ramod 2/64, Sathidu Praboda 5/100)

Dharmaloka

85 all out in 35.5 overs (Kaveen Deneth 17, Hashen Shyamal 25; Tharusha Kodikara 5/39, Poorna Kalhara 4/18) and 120 all out in 56 overs (Omal Vihanga 34, Themira Mikasana 25; Poorna Kalhara 7/38, Ohas Sadew 2/38)

by Reemus Fernando

Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ Final

A historic tie will be on the back of their minds when formidable opponents St. Joseph’s College Darley Road and Trinity College, Kandy battle it out to decide the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ limited overs tournament champions at the Surrey Village ground today.

Most of the members of these two teams were part of the Under 17 teams that shared the Under 17 Division I tournament title after the final ended in a tie at the same venue in 2022.

The two teams have managed to maintain the same supremacy over their rivals in the schools arena to meet each other once again in the highest age category.

Skipper Malith Rathnayake, Vathila Udara, Dimantha Mahavithana, Thisal Yapa, Sweath Anurajeewa, Jayavi Liyanagama, Aadham Hilmy and Pulisha Thilakarathne were key players in the Trinity Under 17 team that shared the title with St. Joseph’s in 2022. St. Joseph’s captain Kenath Liyanage, Abhishek Jayawera, Rishma Amarasighe, Yenula Dewthusa, Manasa Madubashana and Dunik Perera featured in the XI that foughtback to tie the 2022 Under 17 final.

They are joined by Aveesha Samash, Nushan Perera and Senuja Wekunegoda who have been in form during the Under 19 season for today’s final.

The much anticipated title clash is conducted just a couple of days after the annual big matches of the two schools, leaving little time to switch to the limited overs format.

The Joes are in the final after eliminating Gurukula (semi-final) and St. Servatius’ (quarter-final) in the knockout stage. They suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Lumbini during the group stage while emerging victorious in the other matches.

Trinity booked their final berth by beating their arch rivals St. Anthony’s in the semi-final after edging out Nalanda by three wickets in the quarter-final. During the group stage they too suffered a defeat (St. Peter’s), but reached the knockout stage by virtue of their victories against Maris Stella, Gurukula and Maliyadewa.

Teams

St. Joseph’s (from): Kenath Liyanage (Captain), Abhishek Jayawera, Rishma Amarasighe, Aveesha Samash, Nushan Perera, Nimthaka Dias, Senuja Wekunegoda, Demian de Silva, Yenula Dewthusa, Manasa Madubashana, Dunik Perera, Dihen de Silva, Ameesha Guruge, Mariyo Suraweera, Lesitha Wijethunga.

Trinity (from): Malith Rathnayake (Captain), Vathila Udara, Dimantha Mahavithana, Thisal Yapa, Sweath Anurajeewa, ⁠Rajindu Tillakaratne, ⁠Jayavi Liyanagama, Pulisha Thilakaratne, Aadham Hilmy, Ranul Gunaratne, Chaniru Senaratne, Sethmika Seneviratne, Dinal Fernando, Mahendra Abeysinghe, Oshana Lokuge, Kanilka Anthony.

by Reemus Fernando

Sri Lanka Olympians, together with the Department of Forest Cotnservation, conducted a tree planting programme at the premises of D. S. Senanayake National School, Dambulla.

Sri Lanka Olympians conduct a tree planting programme every year at a selected school in one province.

Accordingly, this year’s event was successfully held with the participation of Olympians, students and a large number of enthusiasts at Dambulla.

Name plates of 77 living Olympians out of the 107 who have represented Sri Lanka were placed beside each planted sapling.

According to Sri Lanka Olympians the purpose of this tree planting initiative is to “instill in students a sense of respect and pride for Olympians and sports, to emphasize the value of physical well-being, to inspire future champions through sports, to highlight the importance of trees and encourage environmentally conscious behavior, and to contribute as much as possible to controlling global warming through social responsibility.”

The success of this event was made possible through the support and assistance of the Director and officers of the Na-Ulla/Matale Regional Forest Conservation Department, the Director of Education of the Central Province, Athula Jayawardena – Provincial Director of Sports, Lalitha Kumarihami – Principal of D. S. Senanayake National School and the academic staff, Janaka Wijesinghe – Principal of Dambulla Central College along with principals of nearby schools, the Director of the Galewela Zonal Education Office, sports directors, teacher instructors, sports teachers, and the many school children who actively participated.

Representing the Sri Lanka Olympians at this event were the Deputy Minister of Sports and Committee Member Sugath Thilakaratne, President Sriyani Kulawansha, Secretary Ruwini Abeymanna, Treasurer Nimmi de Soysa, and Committee Members Anuruddha Ratnayake, Pushpamali Ramanayake, Thamara Samandipika and K.T. N. Perera.