Sports
Piyal and Sanduni adjudged best boxers
Army shine bright at 97th National Boxing Championships
The 97th National Boxing Championships, organised by the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), marked a historic milestone as it was held for the first time at the iconic outdoor venue of Galle Face Green. The event witnessed remarkable performances from seasoned campaigners and emerging talents, with Army boxers Piyal Dharmasena and Sanduni Priyadarshani clinching the prestigious Best Boxer awards.
Southpaw Piyal Dharmasena, a 34-year-old veteran with a string of international accolades, displayed technical brilliance to claim his fourth national title. In the Bantamweight (under 54kg) final, he delivered a knockout victory against 24-year-old Ravindu Jayanath Kumara of Vidyarathena SC. Dharmasena’s calculated aggression culminated in a decisive right hook, securing the Sir Henry Manning Challenge Cup for the Most Scientific Boxer of the Nationals.
On the women’s side, Sanduni Priyadarshani, 33, continued her stellar form, defeating 20-year-old Yashini Fernando in the Flyweight (under 52kg) final. Priyadarshani’s tactical superiority and precision strikes led to a referee-stopped contest in the final moments of the bout.
The championship also celebrated emerging talents, with Daniel Thisaraarachchi of Back2Fit and Yazmin Usaith of St. Sylvester’s College BC securing their maiden national titles in the men’s under 48kg and 75kg categories, respectively.
Vidyarathena SC’s Nadeeka Ranasinghe, a two-time Best Boxer at the Nationals, showcased her mastery to claim the minimum weight (under 48kg) title, earning the Dian Gomes Challenge Trophy for the Most Outstanding Women Boxer of the Year.
However, the event was not without controversy. Sri Lanka’s top male boxer, Umayanga Mihiran of Police, received the Eddie Gray Memorial Challenge Cup for his achievements but faced disqualification in the Flyweight (under 51kg) final for striking his opponent while he was down, resulting in a rare and dramatic end to his contest.
Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara, President of BASL, expressed his pride in the event, emphasizing its significance as a stepping stone toward the 2028 Olympics. “This tournament is something special, something unforgettable. It symbolises the dedication and unity that will drive us forward,” he stated, highlighting Sri Lanka’s recent successes, including medal wins in Seychelles and Taipei, and Sri Lanka’s first Asian medal in 37 years.
Chief Guest Shemal Fernando, representing the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, commended the athletes and organisers for their efforts. “Boxing combines physical endurance, strategic thinking, and mental resilience. These qualities transcend the ring, shaping individuals into disciplined and focused achievers,” he remarked, pledging the Ministry’s full support for expanding boxing across the nation.
“To the boxers who have triumphed tonight, you embody perseverance and dedication. Your journey has been far from easy, and each punch thrown reflects the countless hours of training and sacrifice. To the coaches, you are the architects of these athletes’ success, providing the guidance and encouragement that turn potential into achievement,” he added.
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- Piyal Dharmasena
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- Sanduni Priyadharshani
The championship, endorsed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau and broadcast by PEO Sports, was a testament to the growing prominence of sports tourism in the country. With neutral referees and judges from South Korea, Ireland, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan ensuring transparency, the event set a high standard for future tournaments.
PEO Sports was the official broadcaster of the championship providing live coverage during the four days from January 23 to 26.
List of winners:
Men’s
Minimum (46-48kg): DH Thisaraarachchi (Back2Fit)
Fly (48-51kg): KASK Abeygunawardana (SL Army)
Bantam (51-54kg): RMP Dharmasena (SL Army)
Feather (54-57kg): PAR Prasanna (SL Army)
Light (57-60kg): RMPKK Rasnayaka (SL Army)
Light Welter (60-63.5kg): NK Padmakumara (SL Army Red)
Welter (63.5-67kg): KG Pathmasiri (SL Army)
Light Middle (67-71kg): PMLL Chandrabandara (SL Army)
Middle (71-75kg): YM Usaith (St. Sylvester’s College BC)
Light Heavy: (75-80kg) HWGP Rathnasiri (SL Police)
Cruiser (80-86kg): WAR Sandakelum (SL Army Red)
Heavy (86-92kg): PARS Roopasingha (SL Army)
Super Heavy (92+kg) MWMM Meegasthenne (SL Air Force)
Women’s
Minimum (45-48kg) RAN Pushpakumari (Vidyarathena SC)
Light Fly (48-50kg): SHSR Fernando (Independent)
Fly (50-52kg): HS Priyadarshani (SL Army)
Bantam (52-54kg): LIN Malshani (SL Air Force Kfir)
Feather (54-57kg): KAK Hansika (Vidyarathena SC)
Light (57-60kg): MPSS Cooray (SL Air Force Kfir)
Light Welter (60-63kg): WWAK THiwanka (SL Air Force Kfir)
Welter (63-66kg): YGAM Amarathunga (SL Army)
Light Middle (66-70kg): PAHC Pasyala (SL Air Force Kfir)
Middle (70-75kg): KAGN Kaluarachchi (SL Air Force Kfir)
Light Heavy (75-81kg): WGK Lalani (Sivali BC)
Heavy (81+Wkg): HADC Wathsala (SL Army)
Under 19 Cricket
Kavith de Silva with a half century (78) and Hashmika Nethshan and Dasun Nethsara with valuable knocks of 40s helped Maris Stell post 270 runs against St. Aloysius’ on day one of the Under 19 cricket encounter at Karandeniya on Tuesday.
For St. Aloysius’ Dulsath Nimviru and Oshada Devinda took four wickets each.
Meanwhile the Under 19 Division I tier B match between Ananda and Isipatana ended in a no decision.
Match Scores
Maris Stella post 270 at Karandeniya
Scores
Maris Stella 270 all out in 79.1 overs (Hansaka Perera 29, Kavith de Silva 78, Hashmika Nethshan 45, Dasun Nethsara 41, Ameesha Fernando 25; Dulsath Nimviru 4/100, Oshada Devinda 4/68)
St. Aloysius’ 54 for 2 in 16 overs
(Gimhan Hansaka 34; Savindu Sathsara 2/15)
No decision at Ananda Mawatha
Scores
Ananda 204 for 9 decl. in 64.2 overs
(Danindu Sellapperuma 21, Himira Kudagama 43, Lithma Perera 28, Binara Umayanga 39, Rashan Dilaksha 29; Tharindu Naveen 2/21, Dasith Senal 3/56)
Isipatana 110 for 5 in 46 overs (Navindu Umeth 48, Dewshan Deneth 23; Himira Kudagama 4/23) (RF)
Latest News
Harmanpreet masterclass seals second-highest chase in WPL, Mumbai Indians go 8-0 against Gujarat Giants
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 71 off 43 balls powered Mumbai Indians (MI) to a seven-wicket win over Gujarat Giants [GG], as they chased down 193, the second-highest successful chase in WPL history.
Harmanpreet paced the chase to near perfection, finding support from Amanjot Kaur and Nicola Carey, as MI extended their perfect head-to-head record against Giants to 8-0. MI also maintained their remarkable streak of never losing a WPL match when Harmanpreet scores a fifty, this being the 10th such instance.
Giants began briskly after being put in, with Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney taking on the returning Hayley Matthews for four boundaries in the second over. Devine got an early reprieve, when Shabnim Ismail induced an edge in the opening over and wicketkeeper G Kamalini put down the chance. The miss proved inconsequential as Ismail struck again in the third over, this time having Devine nick behind for 8, with Kamalini holding on.
With Anushka Sharma sidelined through injury, Kanika Ahuja was promoted to No. 3. She ensured the momentum did not dip, getting off the mark with a powerful drive through the covers, and combining with Mooney to inflict damage. After Mooney’s departure, she continued the same alongside Ash Gardner. The pair carried Giants to 99 for 3 at the end of 10th over. Gardner fell in the 10th over and Ahuja followed in the 11th, but Giants had laid a solid platform by then.
MI clawed their way back into the contest after Ahuja’s dismissal. Ayushi Soni, brought in for Anushka, struggled to find fluency, while her partner Georgia Wareham continued to find the gaps regularly. Soni was on 7 off 10 balls at the end of the 16th over when she retired out, becoming the first player in WOL to do so. The move paved the way for Bharti Fulmali, who ensured it paid dividends.
Fulmali survived two lbw appeals in the 17th over from Amanjot, both overturned in her favour. She then launched a late onslaught, taking on Carey with two fours and a six in the 19th, before going even harder in the final over. Fulmali smashed two fours and two sixes off Amanjot as Giants plundered 39 runs across the last two overs, finishing on 192.
Hayley Matthews returned to the top of the order after missing the first two matches with injury. Despite losing her opening partner Kamalini in the third over, she ensured MI made a positive start. However, her stay was short-lived, ending on 22 off 12 balls. That dismissal brought Harmanpreet and Amanjot together, and the pair began to rebuild.
Amanjot soon found her rhythm, unfurling a flurry of boundaries against Wareham and Tanuja Kanwar, while Harmanpreet ticked along at better than run-a-ball through the first 10 overs.
Once set, Amanjot shifted gears, taking on Renuka Singh and Gardner with a series of cleanly struck sixes. The breakthrough for Giants came through Devine, whose slower ball accounted for Amanjot and ended a 72-run partnership.
Harmanpreet, though, remained unfazed and continued to dictate terms, with Carey joining her at a stage when MI required 84 off 48 balls.
Carey swung the momentum decisively in the 16th over, hammering five boundaries off Renuka, who continued to struggle for accuracy. The over slashed the equation to 39 needed off 24 balls.
Harmanpreet soon brought up her half-century off 33 deliveries, and Giants compounded their woes with a series of fielding lapses, putting down three chances of her.
Harmanpreet made them pay, pouncing on the width offered by wayward bowling to keep the chase firmly on track. With four needed off five balls, she sealed the contest by hitting a boundary, through the gap between deep square leg and deep midwicket.
Brief scores:
Mumbai Indians Women 193 for 3 in 19.2 overs (Gunalan Kamalini 13, Hayley Maththews 22, Amanjot Kaur 40, Harmanpreet Kaur 71*, Nicola Carey 38*; Renuka Singh 1-39, Kashvee Gautam 1-33, Sophie Devine 1-29) beat Gujarat Giants Women 192 for 5 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 33, Kanika Ahuja 35, Ashleigh Gardner 20, Georgia Wareham 43*, Ayushi Sani 11, Bharti Fulmali 36*; Shabnim Ismail 1-25, Hayley Maththews 1-34, Nicola Carey 1-36, Amelia Kerr 1-40 ) by seven wickets
[Cricinfo]
There will be no auction for this year’s Lanka Premier League, Sri Lanka Cricket has announced, with a player draft set to take place instead on March 22.
The sixth edition of the LPL had originally been slated for early December 2025, but was postponed on account of ensuring the readiness of venues for the 2026 World Cup set to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India. The league has since been scheduled to take place from July 8 to August 8, which is the SLC’s preferred window.
This will be the first time since 2022 that a draft system is being utilised in the LPL, with both of the past two seasons hosting player auctions.
“During the draft, franchises will select both Sri Lankan and overseas players for the upcoming season of Sri Lanka’s premier domestic T20 tournament,” an SLC media release confirmed.
The inclusion of a sixth team had also been mooted prior to the competition’s postponement, however there have been no developments on that front since. Each of the first five editions of the LPL saw five teams representing Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Dambulla and Jaffna compete.
Earlier this year, Jaffna Kings – formerly the longest-standing franchise, having joined in the tournament’s second edition – and Colombo Strikers were terminated by SLC for “failure to uphold contractual obligations.” As a result, the LPL currently has no franchise owners with a history stretching back beyond 2024. New owners for both the Jaffna and Colombo teams are yet to be announced.
[Cricinfo]
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