Sports

Pavan Rathnayake: Sri Lanka’s next big bet

Published

1 hour ago

2026/01/29

Pavan Rathnayake

When former Sri Lanka captains Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews, still plying their trade in First-Class Cricket despite stepping away from the Test arena, were asked to name the next player likely to make an impact at the highest level, both were quick to point the finger at Pavan Rathnayake.

It isn’t just the weight of runs he has piled up in domestic cricket that has caught the eye, but the way he goes about his business. That approach has earned him admirers even in rival camps. Both Karunaratne and Mathews took to social media to congratulate Rathnayake on his maiden international hundred, convinced it is merely the first chapter of a long run-scoring story.

A hundred by a young batter will always quicken pulses, but what sets Rathnayake apart is not the milestone itself. it is the method. There is a sense that this guy is special.

At first glance, Rathnayake does not tick the aesthetic boxes. He does not possess the silken stance of a Marvan Atapattu or the elegance of Mahela Jayawardene. His crouched setup is awkward, almost ungainly and if first impressions were the sole yardstick, he would not pass the audition. But cricket is not judged at address, it is judged after the ball is released and that is where Rathnayake begins to tell his story.

Sri Lanka’s recent struggles against spin are well documented. In the second ODI against England, where they were bowled out inside the allotted 50 overs, the batting blueprint was painfully predictable: sweep, reverse sweep or attempt to go aerial. While the sweep can be a productive option, it carries a heavy element of risk. On turning tracks, trying to clear quality spinners is often a shortcut to disaster.

That is where Rathnayake stands out. He appears to have contingency plans, a rarity in a batting line-up often short on them.

His greatest strength is his use of feet against spin, a tell-tale sign of a batter blessed with timing. He plays the ball late, understands the value of soft hands and is content to work the ball into gaps rather than bludgeon it into submission.

Modern T20 cricket has bred a generation of batters who swing with a heavy bottom hand and treat bowlers like cannon fodder. The old-world virtues, nudging singles, manipulating fields, playing the waiting game, are increasingly unfashionable. Yet on surfaces like the R. Premadasa Stadium, where spinners call the shots, those skills become priceless currency.

So far, Rathnayake has largely been deployed in the lower middle order, often walking in with only a handful of overs remaining and license to throw the kitchen sink. On Tuesday, however, he was promoted with a steep chase ahead and he repaid that faith handsomely, offering a glimpse of his full repertoire to teammates and fans alike.

The verdict is still early, but the signs are hard to ignore.

Pavan Rathnayake looks like a player built for the long haul and Sri Lanka may have finally found someone worth placing their chips on.

https://www.telecomasia.net/

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Sports

Sri Lanka’s impeccable home ODI record ends

Published

1 hour ago

2026/01/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sri Lanka’s unbeaten run in home ODI cricket stretched for five years before ending on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka had drawn up a blueprint to rule one-day cricket at home and for five years it paid rich dividends. The hosts went unbeaten in 12 home series, winning 11 and drawing one, a run that included taking down Australia twice and India once. That fortress finally fell on Tuesday at the R. Premadasa Stadium, as England scripted a come-from-behind win to bring the curtain down on an extraordinary streak.

RPS had long been Sri Lanka’s stronghold. The tried-and-tested formula was simple: surfaces offering turn, totals where 300 plus were rare and games that demanded graft as spinners called the shots. Visiting teams were dragged into the trenches and asked to earn every run.

This time, though, the script was flipped. After England complained that RPS was not conducive to one-day cricket, the authorities appeared to blink. A belter was rolled out for the series decider and, true to form, the tourists cashed in.

Make no mistake, when Sri Lanka tour England later this year, there will be no such charity. Expect green tinged surfaces, the ball nipping around and run-making to be a stern examination. Flat tracks are rarely on the menu there.

Sri Lanka perhaps should have stuck to their guns. There is no crime in playing to your strengths and the Poms will complain regardless.

That said, with the World Cup just around the corner, the authorities’ thinking is understandable. Global tournaments are often played on truer surfaces where the bat tends to dominate the ball.

What followed was still a batting masterclass. While much of the spotlight was on Joe Root and his mastery of spin, Harry Brook stole the show, putting the bowling to the sword. This was not mindless slogging but a display of high-class strokeplay, timing and power in perfect sync from the Yorkshireman.

Brook arrived on tour with baggage, having been fined £30,000 for an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand last October. On Tuesday, he made it clear that episode was firmly in the rear view mirror.

England, though, owed plenty to Root for holding the fort across the series, anchoring their efforts when conditions demanded clarity of thought. For Sri Lanka, young Pavan Rathnayake was a breath of fresh air, winning plaudits from all and sundry with his composure and intent.

With Sri Lanka’s five-year dream run in home ODI cricket ending in series defeat, the knock-on effect was immediate. They slipped to sixth in the ODI rankings, with South Africa climbing to fifth.

by Rex Clementine

Sports

Janashakthi Finance records 35% growth in Net Operating Income and LKR 389 Mn. PBT in Q3 FY26

Published

1 hour ago

2026/01/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

Rajendra Theagarajah, Chairman / Sithambaram Sri Ganendran, Chief Executive Officer

Janashakthi Finance PLC, formerly known as Orient Finance PLC and a subsidiary of JXG (Janashakthi Group) announced a strong financial performance for the nine-month period ended 31 December 2025, driven by sustained growth in its core businesses, disciplined execution and continued focus on scale and efficiency.

Commenting on the results, Rajendra Theagarajah, Chairman of Janashakthi Finance PLC, said, “The performance for the period reflects the clarity of our strategic priorities and the strength of our governance framework. With strong leadership in place that is confidently driving the business, we continue to grow steadily while maintaining balance sheet strength and stakeholder confidence.”

For the period under review, Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose by 39% year-on-year to LKR 389 million, supported by higher operating income and portfolio expansion. Net Operating Income increased by 35% year-on-year to LKR 2.2 billion, reflecting sustained lending activity and improved business scale.Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) amounted to LKR 240 million.

The Company’s Loans and Receivables portfolio grew by 49% year-on-year to LKR 29 billion, driven by demand across key lending segments and focused growth initiatives. Deposits increased to LKR 17 billion, recording a 14% year-on-year growth, reinforcing funding diversity and customer confidence.

Reflecting on the year’s progress, Sithambaram Sri Ganendran, Chief Executive Officer of Janashakthi Finance PLC, stated, “During the period, we focused on expanding our loan book responsibly, strengthening our funding base and enhancing operational capability. The growth achieved across our key indicators positions the Company strongly as we continue to execute our medium-term strategy and respond to market opportunities.”

Sports

DSS, Gurukula win first innings points

Published

1 hour ago

2026/01/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

DS Senanayake College registered a first innings win over Royal College in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ match at Reid Avenue while Gurukula took first innings points against Thurstan in their match ended at Thurstan ground on Wednesday.

‎In the other Tier A matches, Mahanama stoodout taking a commanding position at stumps against St. Servatius’ at Uyanwatta.

‎‎Results

DSS win on first innings at Reid Avenue

‎Scores

‎DSS 256 for 8 in 80 overs (Janindu Ranasinghe 50, Randisha Bandaranayake 22, Shanaal Binuksha 93, Haamid Afdhal 22, Chithum Baddage 43n.o.; Sehandu Sooriyaarachchi 3/29, Mahiru Kodituwakku 4/47) and 155 for 5 in 42 overs (Miyuru Bandara 39, Shevan Welgama 55; Ramiru Perera 3/43)

‎Royal

36 for no loss overnight 199 all out in 59.4 overs (Hirun Liyanarachchi 38, Rehan Peiris 50, Ramiru Perera 24, Yasindu Dissanayake 35; Oshadha Perera 2/41, Shanaal Binuksha 5/51)

‎‎Gurukula on first innings at Thurstan ground

‎‎Scores

‎Gurukula 275 for 9 in 80 overs (Javindu Madusanka 95, Induwara Oshada 50, Adeepa Pinsara 33; Sethru Fernando 6/105) and 162 for 7 in 38 overs (Denura Dimansith 69; Yovun Silpa 3/15)

‎Thurstan

17 for 3 overnight 210 all out in 79.4 overs (Tohan Senanayake 26, Hirushan Dias 83, Udarsha Nimsara 20, Thanuga Palihawadana 52; Sahas Induwara 4/39, Javindu Madusanka 2/37, Leshan Sathsara 2/46)

Cambrians amass 310 against Maris Stella at Kadirana

‎Scores

‎Prince of Wales

310 all out in 76.3 overs (Suwas Fernando 84, Pramesh Fernando 88, Oshan de Silva 49; Hashmika Nethshan 6/24)

Mahanama strongly placed at Uyanwatta

‎Scores

‎St. Servatius’

237 all out in 71.1 overs (Risinu Kithmuka 64, Thathsilu Bandara 92; Geeth Sandaruwan 2/41, Sithum Vihanga 4/57)

‎Mahanama 116 for 1 in 23 overs (Sineth Veerarathne 75, Kaushika Thilakarathne 29n.o.)

(RF)