Sports
Hasitha, Ishara savour Layton Cup success
Sri Lanka Police boxer Hasitha Nuwan Jinadasa, a four-time Stubbs Shield champion and a Dharmaraja College alumnus, earned the prestigious Layton Cup, awarded to the Best Boxer since 1942, after a hard-fought win in the minimum weight (48kg) category at the 82nd Layton Cup Boxing Championship, concluded on Saturday at Browns Beach, Negombo.
Known for his defensive prowess, Jinadasa edged out Daniel Tissaaratchy of Back2Fit in a closely contested bout, using counter punches to secure a split-decision victory at the event organised by the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL).
Jinadasa also received a gift voucher worth Rs. 50,000 from Arpico and a return ticket to Singapore from SriLankan Airlines.
In the flyweight (51kg) category, Police’s Umayanga Mihiran delivered a masterclass performance, knocking out last year’s Layton Cup winner, Navy’s Gayan Indika Bandara. The 21-year-old Mihiran showcased his speed and precision, ultimately forcing a stoppage in the second round after Bandara was deemed unable to continue.
Among the women, Air Force’s Ishara Thushari Perera earned the title of Best Boxer with her tactical superiority and skill, which helped her easily outpoint Army’s Dilani Silva. Perera, who holds a national championship title, used her reach advantage effectively, showcasing her technical acumen. She was awarded a gift voucher worth Rs. 50,000 from Arpico for her stellar performance.
The finals also saw impressive displays from Yazmin Mohamed Usaith in the middleweight (75kg) category, who triumphed over Army’s K.G. Pathmasiri. Meanwhile, Army’s Sanduni Priyadarshani secured the flyweight (52kg) title, showcasing her dominance against Police’s Maleesha Widanagamage. Vidyarathana SC’s Keshani Hansika (57kg) and Air Force’s Sajeewani Cooray (60kg) also stood out with commanding performances, signalling a bright future for Sri Lankan boxing.
This year’s Layton Cup, set against the backdrop of the Negombo coast, has redefined the Sri Lankan boxing landscape, with athletes and fans alike hoping it signals the start of a new era for the sport in the country.
A large crowd of boxing enthusiasts, including dignitaries such as Dr. Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando (rtd), Director General of the Department of Sports Development, gathered to witness this unique event.
BASL President Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara praised the efforts of BASL Vice President Eric Perera, Senior Superintendent of Police, Negombo Division, for successfully implementing the concept of popularising boxing beyond Colombo. Bandara reiterated his vision of sending Sri Lankan boxers to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and this tournament marked a step in that direction as BASL hopes to form a national boxing pool for the first time in eight years.
The BASL selection committee, led by Abdulla Ibunu, were in attendance with BASL selecting a national boxing pool for the first time in eight years, athletes are also competing for a chance to represent Sri Lanka at the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships in Jordan this November.
The finals, featuring 21 bouts across all men’s and women’s weight classes, were fiercely contested, with standout performances from both veteran and emerging athletes. The meet’s main sponsors, including 3R International, Melwa, and Pyramid Lanka Pvt Ltd, provided support, while Colombo Gem Bureau awarded cash prizes to male and female winners. The tournament’s best boxers were selected by international technical officials headed by the Technical Delegate of the event Capt. R.K. Indrasena (rtd).
K.K. Ishara Thushari Perera receiving her award
List of winners
MEN
48kg: T. Hasitha Nuwan Jinadasa (Police)
51kg: G.K.P. Umayanga Mihiran (Police)
54kg: G. Jayanath K. Ravindu Kumara (Vidyarathana SC)
57kg: P.A. Rukmal Prasanna (Army)
60kg: R.M.P.P.K. Rasnayaka (Army)
63.5kg: H.A. Hansa Dilsara Hettiarachchi (Navy Bismark)
67kg: P.S.P. Suranga Fernando (Army)
71kg: I.P.D. Chinthana Udayakumara (Air Force)
75kg: Yazmin Mohamed Usaith (St Sylvester’s Boxing Club)
80kg: J.M.I.P. Pathum Pushpakumara (Army Red)
86kg: Y.S. Prathap Sudamma (Army)
92kg: P.A. Rukman Sanjeewa Rupasingha (Army)
+92kg: U. Amitha Avishka (Army)
WOMEN
48kg: R.A. Nadeeka Pushpakumari (Vidyarathana SC)
50kg: K.K. Ishara Thushari Perera (Air Force)
52kg: H. Sanduni Priyadarshani (Army)
54kg: L.I. Nishadi Malshani (Air Force)
57kg: K.A. Keshani Hansika (Army)
60kg: M.P.S. Sajeewani Cooray (Air Force)
66kg: W.W.A.K. Thiwanka (Air Force)
75kg: K.A.G.N. Kaluarachchi (Air Force)
India’s untested lower order played a key role in turning a modest total into a competitive one. Amanjot Kaur added stability, scoring 21 off 18 balls and putting on a 61-run partnership with Harmanpreet for the fifth wicket, helping the innings regain momentum after regular wickets fell.
After her dismissal, Arundhati Reddy – promoted ahead of Sneh Rana – launched a late assault, hitting four fours and a six off 11 balls for an unbeaten 27, guiding India to 175 for 7. The team scored 32 runs in the final two overs.
With Chamari Athapaththu gone in the second over, Perera and Dulhani faced a daunting task. Dulhani, coming in at No. 3 again ahead of Harshitha Samarawickrama, played a confident innings, coming down the track and sweeping as needed, hitting five boundaries inside the powerplay. Perera rotated the strike well, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Aided by the dew, their 79-run second-wicket stand was broken in the 12th over when Amanjot dismissed Dulhani for 50, with her first ball.
Perera carried on, moving from 32 off 23 balls to register her maiden 38-ball fifty in her 89th T20I. Having debuted in 2014 and shuffled around the order, she opened this series for the first time in three years. When the equation came down to 55 off 24 balls, Perera struck a four and a six off Shree Charani before being yorked. Her 42-ball 65 included eight fours and a six.
When Sri Lanka needed 44 off 20 balls, India fought back hard. The visitors lost their key batters at the death, collapsing from 132 for 4 to 140 for 7, eventually falling short and remaining winless in India.
Brief scores:
India Women 175 for 7 in 20 overs (Gunalan Kamalini 12, Harleen Deol 13, Harmanpreet Kaur 68, Amanjot Kaur 21, Arundhati Reddy 27*; Nimasha Meepage 1-25, Kavisha Dilhari 2-11, Rashmika Sewwandi 2-42, Chamari Athapaththu 2-21) beat Sri Lanka Women 160 for 7 in 20 overs (Hasini Perera 65, Imesha Dulani 50, Rashmika Sewwamdi 14*; Deepti Sharma 1-28, Arundhati Reddy 1-16, Sneh Rana 1-31, Vaishnavi Sharma 1-33, Shree Charani 1-31, Amanjot Kaur 1-17 ) by 15 runs
[Cricinfo]
Under 19 Cricket
Manitha Rajapaksha collected a match bag of 11 wickets as Mahinda romped to an innings and 25 runs victory over Lumbini in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket encounter at Galle.
Forced to follow on after being bowled out for 173 runs, the visitors managed to last only 33 overs as bowlers used the home advantage to good effect.
In a similar performance, Sri Sumangala reduced Isipatana to just 69 runs in the second innings to record an innings and 96 runs win in the Tier ‘B’ match at Panadura. While Mevindu Kumarasiri excelled once again to claim a match bag of 11 wickets, overnight batsmen Sandeep Wijerathna and Neksha Iddamalgoda went on to score centuries for Sri Sumangala to boost the score to 301 for eight wickets declared.
Meanwhile at DSS ground the home team scored a first innings win over Nalanda.
Match Results
Mahinda in innings win at Galle
Scores
Mahinda 284 all out in 72.2 overs
(Dulsith Darshana 63, Randula Mabarana 28, Manitha Rajapaksha 23, Kaveesha Githmal 43, Kavindu Nimsara 66; Yashod Kavindu 5/100, Dinal Sewmina 2/32)
Lumbini 76 for 4 overnight 173 all out in 53.4 overs
(Kisandu Dulneth 33, Yashod Kavindu 26, Jayanitha Mendis 41, Pasindu Mahisha 38; Manitha Rajapaksha 6/64, Sadev Nethmina 2/27) and 86 all out in 32.4 overs (Nikil Abilash 33; Manitha Rajapaksha 5/25, Gesandu Bisas 2/12, Arosha Udayanga 2/15)
Sri Sumangala in innings win at Panadura
Scores
Isipatana 136 all out in 47.2 overs (Yuveen Keshan 21, Dasith Senal 31; Mevindu Kumarasiri 6/54) and 69 all out in 25.2 overs (Janith Selaka 25; Mevindu Kumarasiri 5/32, Methum Fernando 4/23)
Sri Sumangala 158 for 2 overnight 301 for 8 decl. in 79.4 overs (Sandeep Wijerathna 100, Neksha Iddamalgoda 110, Mevindu Kumarasiri 34; Dasith Senal 2/86, Dimuthu Tharuka 2/34)
First innings win for DSS at DSS ground
Scores
DSS 365 all out in 79 overs (Savain Kalansooriya 54, Bihan Gamage 102, Janindu Ranasinghe 50, Shevan Welgama 73; Osanda Pamuditha 2/69, Dunitha Anusara 4/66, Sahas Godage 3/76) and 144 for 3 in 35.2 overs (Miyuru Bandara 41, Savain Kalansooriya 57, Shanaal Binuksha 34)
Nalanda 28 for 1 overnight 197 all out in 66.1 overs (Nemindu Akmeemana 40, Ranmith Dinuwara 42; Shanaal Binuksha 6/61, Randisha Bandaranayake 2/40)
by Reemus Fernando
India’s opening batter Shafali Verma and swing bowler Renuka Singh have moved up to sixth spots in the ICC’s T20I batting and bowling rankings respectively.
Shafali is the leading scorer in the ongoing bilateral series against Sri Lanka by a distance, her 236 runs nearly twice as many as second-highest scorer Smriti Mandhana’s 120. Renuka is also the leading wicket-taker, her four wickets level with team-mates Deepti Sharma, Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani.
Shafali went up four places with back-to-back scores of 69*, 79* and 79 in the second, third and fourth T20Is. Renuka, meanwhile, climbed eight places to reach the joint-sixth position along with South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba, particularly through her 4 for 21 in the third game of the series. Deepti leads the bowlers’ rankings after taking that position last week. Both Shafali and Renuka have also bagged one Player-of-the-Match award each in the series that India lead 4-0, with the last match scheduled for Tuesday in Thiruvananthapuram.
If India win today (30), this will be their third 5-0 series win in T20Is. They won by that scoreline in the West Indies in 2019 and in Bangladesh last year. Sri Lanka have, however, never before lost a T20I series 5-0.
(Cricinfo)
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