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Madushani carries country’s best medal hopes at Asian Youth Athletics Championships  

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Sri Lanka Youth Athletics Team pose with General Palitha Fernando, president Sri Lanka Athletics. 

by Reemus Fernando  

Long jumper Madushani Herath from Nannapurawa MV, Bibila will carry the country’s best medal hopes at the Asian Youth Athletics Championships which gets underway in Kuwait today.

An eight-member team comprising of five male and three female athletes will represent Sri Lanka at the  four-day event which is the top international event an athlete in the Under 18 age category can take part in, apart from the quadrennial Asian Youth Games, Youth Olympics and the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Madushani is among the highest-ranked athletes in Asia in her age category. Herath reached her personal best of 6.09 metres at the recently held Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championships.

Her record-breaking feat is now the best performance in history by an athlete in the junior category (U20) in Sri Lanka. In Asia this year, it is second only to the 6.13 metres feat of Ion Kondo of Japan.

Nirmali Wickramasinghe from Wickramabahu National School, Gampola is the only track athlete in the girls’ category. She will compete to beat the odds against strong competitors from India, China and Japan. The athletes from these countries have produced the top performances in the 800 metres in Asia this year.

Madushani Herath

Samudradevi Balika, Nugegoda athlete Sithuli Sadithya too will have a tough ask when she vies for honours in the high jump. She cleared 1.67 metres at the recently held Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championships.

In the boys’ category, Thurstan sprinter Salamuthu Jayathilaka and Sir John Kothalawala College, Kurunegala runner Theminda Rajapaksa will be up against strong opponents in the 400 metres. The duo shared the gold and silver at the Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championships, which was considered the final selection meet. Jayathilaka won in a time of 48.49 seconds.

Deneth Anuhas from Bodagama M.V., Thanamalwila and Lesandu Arthavidu of D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo are ranked joint fifth in Asia in their age category in the high jump this year for their 2.06 metres performances in September. Korea, Japan and China are expected to field the top four performers in Asia who have all cleared heights varying from 2.09 to 2.23 metres.

Lyceum International, Panadura athlete Razwin Carrim has a best feat of 7.20 metres against his name when he competes in the long jump.

The eight member team are accompanied by Palitha Jayathilaka (Manager), M.G.K. Kumara (Coach) and Imalka Ranaweera (Lady Chaperone).

The event which starts in Kuwait today is the fourth edition of the Championships. It was earlier scheduled for 2021 but was postponed due to the pandemic situation. Sri Lanka has taken part in all past editions. The country has won a total of nine medals (1 gold, 6 silvers and 2 bronzes).

At the last edition held in Hong Kong, Sri Lanka won two silvers and one bronze. St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa sprinter Navishka Sandesh won a silver in the 400 metres while the other silver came in the boys’ medley relay. Amesha Hettiarachchi won the bronze in the girls’ 400 metres hurdles.



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Clash of the Sisters set for October 4

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Past students of eight schools will come together in the inaugural 'Clash of the Sisters.'

The St. Lawrence’s Convent Past Pupils Association will bring together former students from several leading schools for a day of cricket and camaraderie when the ‘Clash of the Sisters ’26’ takes place at the Wesley College Grounds, Campbell Park, on Sunday, October 4.

The tournament will feature a series of fast-paced 10-over softball cricket matches, with past pupils renewing old friendships while representing their respective schools in a spirit of friendly rivalry.

The women’s competition will feature teams representing St. Lawrence’s Convent, St. Bridget’s Convent, Holy Family Convent, St. Anne’s BMV Wattala, Ave Maria Convent Negombo, Ladies’ College, Musaeus College and Methodist College.

A men’s invitational exhibition match will also be staged, with the Old Wesleyites Sports Club taking on the S. Thomas’ College OBA.

Organisers are also planning a carnival atmosphere away from the cricket, with food stalls, games, entertainment and other activities lined up for alumni, families and visitors.

The event is being organised by the St. Lawrence’s Convent Past Pupils Association 2026/27 with the aim of bringing together different alumni communities and strengthening ties between past pupils through sport.

With eight schools involved in the women’s competition and an exhibition fixture adding further interest, organisers expect the event to provide a lively mix of cricket, fellowship and school spirit.

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Play cricket with passion, Madugalle tells youngsters

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Ranjan Madugalle delivering the key note address

by Rex Clementine

Former Sri Lanka captain Ranjan Madugalle urged the next generation of cricketers to wear the national colours with passion and pride, reminding youngsters that there is no greater honour in the game than representing their country.

The ICC’s Chief Match Referee was speaking at a ceremony at the P. Sara Oval where Tamil Union’s players and coaching staff were felicitated following their triumph in the domestic T-20 competition a fortnight ago.

“I hear that four players from this team will be travelling to Japan tomorrow to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Games. That’s a very good achievement for any club and I urge you to play with passion and be committed. There is no bigger honour than representing your country,” Madugalle said.

Madugalle, who charmed cricket lovers with his elegant stroke play during his playing days, held the gathering spellbound with an eloquent address that also took him on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

“I have many fond memories of P. Sara Oval. I walked into this ground as an 11-year-old to watch the Royal-Thomian. I played our inaugural Test here, but above all, my most memorable moment at this ground was when we won our maiden Test against India in 1985.”

The P. Sara Oval occupies a special place in Sri Lankan cricket history. It hosted the country’s inaugural Test against England in 1982 and, three years later, the island’s maiden Test victory when Sri Lanka stunned India.

Madugalle also paid tribute to several Tamil Union stalwarts who had played an influential role in his cricketing journey.

“This club has several stalwarts of the game and there are three people I looked up to. One was Sathi Coomaraswamy, who invited me into the dressing room when I was a kid and ignited the passion in me for the game. Then, of course, there are other gentlemen like Chandra Schaffter and T. Murugaser, who were managers when I was representing the Sri Lankan team.”

Madugalle, a former Head Prefect of Royal College, received a prolonged ovation at the conclusion of his address. Also present was another former Royal Head Prefect, Eran Wickramaratne, who represented Tamil Union in First Class cricket and currently heads Sri Lanka Cricket.

Tamil Union’s championship winning players and coaching staff were felicitated during the ceremony, while club patron Chandra Schaffter made a personal donation of Rs. 1.5 million to the players.

SLC officials, Tamil Union members and several former presidents of the club, including S. Skandakumar, Dinal Philips, A.R. Rasiah, Selva Perumal, Kandos Kandasamy and N. Vasanthakumar, were among those present.

Tamil Union enjoyed a remarkable run in this season’s T-20 competition, winning nine matches on the trot before overcoming SSC in the final. The side was captained by wicketkeeper batter Minod Bhanuka.

The club had further reason to celebrate with four of its playersl Tharindu Rathnayake, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Binura Fernando and Sineth Jayawardene selected to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Games in Japan.

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Mosvold Martinus Foundation Challenge Trophy on October 4

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Connaissance de Ceylan will be looking to defend their title

Mosvold Sri Lanka, whose portfolio includes Mosvold Villa Ahangama and Sundara by Mosvold Balapitiya, will stage the second edition of the Mosvold Sixes in partnership with the Mosvold Martinus Foundation on Sunday, 4th October 2026, at the Colombo Malay Cricket Club.

The six a side softball cricket tournament brings together twenty destination management companies from across the travel trade for a day of competition, networking and celebration ahead of the industry’s busiest months.

Play runs from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM, with food and beer available throughout the day. Once the final match is done, the tournament moves into an evening of live music and an after party for players and guests.

Now in its second year, the Mosvold Sixes began as a way to bring the travel trade together as a season opener, a chance for agents, suppliers and partners to network, play cricket and unwind before the season ahead gets busy. Mosvold Sri Lanka says the longer term goal is to widen the tournament to foreign agents, giving international partners a firsthand look at how the local trade works, plays and welcomes visitors.

The tournament trophy, the Mosvold Martinus Foundation Challenge Trophy, is named after the Foundation by design. Giving back sits at the centre of the event, and the Foundation’s work spans education, women and community upliftment.

Twenty DMCs have confirmed for this year’s tournament: Tangerine Tours, Sri Lanka Tailormade, Olanka Travels, Antiquity Sri Lanka, Travel Trends Leisure, House of Travels & Tourism, NKAR Travels & Tours, Jetwing Travels, Walkers Tours, Connaissance de Ceylan, Delux Holidays, Ceylon Roots, Spiceland Holidays, Infinity Vacations, Tropiculture, Serene Travels, Authenticities, Red Apple Travel & Holidays Lanka, DTH Travel Lanka and Ceylon Tours.

Connaissance de Ceylan enters as the defending champions, having won the inaugural tournament last year.

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