Sports
Medal prospect Tharushi laments absence of coach Susantha at Walala

Olympic Committee announces sponsorships for future prospects
by Reemus Fernando
Ratnayake Central Walala athlete Tharushi Karunaratne said that the absence of reputed coach Susantha Fernando at the premier Sports School has made her train by herself. She said that she was following Fernando’s schedules in his absence in reply to a query by The Island at a function organized by the National Olympic Committee to announce Crysbro Next Champ sponsorships for up and coming athletes at the Foundation Institute on Thursday.
Fernando gave up on training at Ratnayake Central after completing more than two decades of committed service a couple of months back. During his tenure Fernando guided many a school athlete to reach international level.
Incidentally, Tharushi’s brother Harsha too graduated under Fernando to win a silver at the Asian Youth Athletics Championship in Thailand in 2017. Officials of Ratnayake Central have been trying in vain during the last few months to obtain Fernando’s services again. In his absence training of Ratnayake Central athletes remain interrupted.
Tharushi produced several record breaking performances at Junior National competitions last year. Fernando had earmarked her as a junior international medal prospect. She had been rightly picked by a selecting committee inclusive of Olympic medalist Susanthika Jayasinghe, former sprinters Shehan Ambepitiya and Ineka Cooray and Olympian Reshika Udugampola for the Crysbro Next Champ sponsorship.
The Selection Committee tasked with selecting 20 athletes for the Crysbro sponsorship announced names of the first five chosen athletes yesterday. Sprinter Sithum Jayasundara who also hogged the limelight last year making a clean sweep of Under 16 sprint events is the other track and field athlete to have been picked for the lucrative sponsorship. Two young weight lifters, namely, W.DK. Kumara and R.S.R. Laksarani and gymnast Milka Gihani were the others named by the Committee.
Explaining the selection criteria Ambepitiya said the probable list of athletes had been forwarded by respective Sports Associations. Their performances had been analysed against the medal deciding performances at three last junior international competitions before picking them.
They are in the process of finalizing the next five athletes. Their names will be announced shortly.
The next ten athletes will be selected after various sports associations conclude their national level competitions.
Sports
A thrilling contest expected as Mahinda meet Thurstan

by Reemus Fernando
Two formidable teams Mahinda and Thurstan are set to produce a thrilling contest when they meet in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ cricket tournament final commencing at Sooriyawewa today.
After having recorded a remarkable Big Match victory over the weekend, Thurstan skippered by Thanuga Palihawadana will be looking to conclude the tournament with the coveted title. They had a minor set back on Tuesday when they were beaten by St. Anthony’s Wattala in a limited overs tournament match. Spinner Sethru Fernando who was rested for that match is expected to return for the decisive three-day final.
Mahinda are a team continuing to peak. The team captained by Kaveen Rukshan reached the final displaying a thoroughly dominant performance against St. Thomas’ Matara in the semi-final. The innings and 69 runs victory is their biggest win this season.
They also posted their highest innings total, 373 runs in that match with opening batsman Dulsith Darshana scoring a sensible knock of 96 runs and Senuka Damgamuwa hammering 200 runs in 153 balls.
Keeping Dangamuwa under control will be vital for Thurstan as he has the ability to turn the complexion of a game.
Mahinda will open batting with Dulsith Dharshana and Thevindu Rashmika. Wicketkeeper batsman Randul Mabarana, Sehas Ashinsa, Dineth Pehesara, Manitha Rajapaksha and Dangamuwa will form the top order batting lineup.
The new ball duties are shared by left-arm paceman Sadew Nethmina and Sahanjith Samadith. Left-arm spinners Senuka Dangamuwa and Arosha Udayanga and skipper Rukshan form a strong spin attack.
Thurstan too possess a strong spin department with Sri Lanka Under 19 skipper Vihas Thewmika, captain Palihawadana and Sethru Fernando sharing most of the duties.
Rachintha de Silva who excelled in the Big Match, Yovun Silpa and Lasindu Punsara form the pace attack.
Like Mahinda, Thurstan’s batting line up too produced their best performance of the season (383/8) in the semi-final with Sri Lanka Under 19 batsman Thanuja Rajapakse and Rachintha scoring centuries against their arch rivals.
Dinal Induwara and Rajapakse will open batting for Thurstan. Sethru Fernando, Janitha Rukshan, Thewmika, Rachintha and Pathum Dananjaya will form the top top order batting lineup.
This is not the first time these two teams are meeting this season. When they met during the league stage Thurstan posted 274 to earn first innings points. Mahinda could muster only 205 runs. That was a early third term encounter. Both teams have grown by leaps and bounds. Hence a mouthwatering encounter is on the cards.
Sports
SLC elevates school cricket with three-day matches

In a groundbreaking move to enhance school cricket, the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), under the leadership of President Shammi Silva, has introduced three-day school matches in place of the traditional two-day encounters.
As part of this ambitious initiative, SLC has committed financial grants to 56 schools, enabling them to host their annual big matches as three-day contests. Until now, only three schools enjoyed this privilege, while the rest were restricted to two-day games. With this progressive shift, 28 big matches will now be played over three days, ushering in a new chapter for school cricket, effective from the ongoing season.
This transformation, executed in collaboration with the Sri Lanka School Cricket Association, is designed to provide young cricketers with extended match exposure, sharpen their skills, and ensure a seamless transition to first-class and international cricket.
Further strengthening this initiative, SLC has also revamped the U19 School Cricket competition by extending the three-day match format to the knockout stages of Division I and II (both Tier A and B), replacing the previous two-day structure.
Sri Lanka’s school cricket system is one of the most dynamic in the world, with over 6,800 matches played annually across U13, U15, U17, and U19 levels. SLC remains the primary financial pillar behind these tournaments, reaffirming its dedication to grooming the next generation of cricketing talent.
This initiative underscores SLC’s long-term vision for grassroots cricket, reinforcing the foundation that has historically produced Sri Lanka’s finest national players.
Sports
Dialog powers the champions of tomorrow

Dialog Axiata PLC proudly launches the 2025 Dialog Big Match Season, continuing its legacy of fostering school cricket and shaping future champions. As March arrives, the island will be swept by cricket fever as past and present students unite for this time-honoured tradition.
This year, Dialog sponsors seven iconic Big Matches, featuring 14 esteemed schools competing for pride and glory. The season’s crown jewel, the 146th Battle of the Blues, takes center stage at SSC on March 6th-8th, as Royal College and S. Thomas’ College renew their legendary rivalry. The Mustangs Trophy follows on March 15th.
Other marquee encounters include the 91st Battle of the Saints (April 3rd-5th) and One Day clash (April 26th), the 120th Lovers’ Quarrel (April 3rd-5th), and the 118th Battle of the Maroons in Kandy (April 4th-6th). Fans can also anticipate thrilling contests like the Battle of the Rocks and Battle of the Golds and more.
With its unwavering commitment to Powering the champions of tomorrow, Dialog invites fans to experience the excitement live at the grounds or via ThePapare TV and Dialog ViU. The 2025 season promises passion, tradition, and the birth of future cricketing stars.
-
Business4 days ago
Sri Lanka’s 1st Culinary Studio opened by The Hungryislander
-
Sports5 days ago
How Sri Lanka fumbled their Champions Trophy spot
-
News7 days ago
Killer made three overseas calls while fleeing
-
News6 days ago
SC notices Power Minister and several others over FR petition alleging govt. set to incur loss exceeding Rs 3bn due to irregular tender
-
Features5 days ago
The Murder of a Journalist
-
Sports5 days ago
Mahinda earn long awaited Tier ‘A’ promotion
-
Features5 days ago
Excellent Budget by AKD, NPP Inexperience is the Government’s Enemy
-
News6 days ago
Mobile number portability to be introduced in June