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

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.”

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)