Sports
School girls fight for Asian Games berths in the women’s 400 metres
by Reemus Fernando
Men’s and women’s javelin throws and the 100 and 400 metres sprints are the main attractions when the postponed disciplines of the centenary National Athletics Championships are held at Diyagama today.
Sri Lanka Athletics had to postpone as many as 12 disciplines of the centenary National Championship to April 23 after almost the entire final day of the landmark event was affected by rain at Diyagama on April 10.
For the second consecutive national championship, school girls will be the closest rivals that defending champion Nadeesha Ramanayake has to compete against in the women’s 400 metres. In the 400 metres heats held on April 9th, Ramanayake clocked 53.73 seconds to win her heat. Apart from Ramanayake all others who clocked sub 56 seconds and the winners in the other heats were school girls. In the absence of Dilshi Kumarasinghe, who is nursing an injury, Ramanayake is the only senior contender. Kumarasinghe’s absence had forced athletics selectors to rethink fielding a mix relay team for the Asian Games.
The Sri Lanka Athletics had planned to field a mix relay team when the new discipline makes its quadrennial Games debut. But the injury to Kumarasinghe has raised concerns. Kumarasinghe’s training partner, young Tharushi Karunaratne of Ratnayake Central is currently punching above her weight and is expected to produce an interesting dual. It will be interesting to see whether she could deliver something special today. At the last Trial held in March Karunaratne turned tables on Ramanayake. Irrespective of the performances there is the prospect of a couple of school girls getting the nod for the Asian Games if Sri Lanka Athletics pick a women’s 4×400 metres relay team.
Jayeshi Uththara who returned a time of 54.96 seconds and Lakshima Mendis (55.74 secs) are the others who will be vying for honours in the women’s 400 metres.
The men’s 400 metres is heading towards an interesting finish with the Asian Junior Championship medallists Anura Dharshana and Pabasara Niku producing the fast performances in the heats. Niku clocked 46.99 seconds in the heats and the country’s fastest time this year belongs to Dharshana who clocked 46.37 seconds in the Trial held in March. Sri Lanka Athletics is however looking for sub 46 seconds to pick an athlete for the individual event at the Asian Games. The only athletes to run sub 46 seconds during the last five years are Dharshana and Kumarge. The latter running in the slowest heat of the day had a time of 48.09 seconds on April 10. Have they gained enough speed during the last 12 days to match the qualifying standards of 45.70 seconds is the big question?
Olympian Sumedha Ranasinghe is the only athlete to have reached locally set qualifying standards for the Asian Games in the men’s category. His 81.79 metres mark recorded in March is the third furthest throw in Asia this year. He will be eager to come up with strong performances today to further establish his place as an international medal prospect. Apart from Sumedha, the US based high jumper Ushan Thivanka is the only athlete in the men’s category to have reached qualifying standards for the Asian event.
In the women’s Javelin throw Dilhani Lekamge will be looking to reach the 58 metres mark and will be up against a field inclusive of up an coming H.D. Maduwanthi and Olympian Nadeeka Lakmali.
The men’s 100 metres heats were held without the two fastest men. While former national record holder Himasha Eshan remains suspended, current record holder Yupun Abeykoon is based in Italy. In their absence Chamod Yodhasinghe heads into today’s final rounds as the favourite. His was the fastest time in the heats.
The women’s 100 metres is expected to be a contest between Shelinda Jansen, Amesha de Silva and Medhani Jayamanne. De Silva is the favourite. She clocked 11.63 seconds in the heats and would be gunning for the 11.40 seconds to qualify for the Asian Games.
The men’s triple jump, women’s high jump, women’s shot put and the men’s 1,500 metres are the other events that will be held today.
Meanwhile the special trial will be held for the men’s long jump after athletes raised objections against the standard of the take off board used at the National Championships. An official said that the result of the men’s long jump at the National Championship will not be changed. The men’s long jump event will be held as a separate event and will only be considered for selections.
Sri Lanka will begin their three match T20I series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Friday with an opportunity for several youngsters to stake their claims, although the absence of Pathum Nissanka leaves a sizeable hole at the top of the order.
Nissanka, Sri Lanka’s highest-ranked batter in the ICC T20I rankings, has been one of the side’s most consistent performers in recent years and his absence deprives the tourists of a proven match-winner against a Pakistan attack that will still carry plenty of firepower despite resting several senior players.
The three T20Is will be played in Rawalpindi on October 9, 11 and 13 before attention switches to the seven match ODI tri-series involving hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England.
While Sri Lanka will miss Nissanka, his absence opens the door for highly rated Sineth Jayawardene, who has been earmarked as one for the future. The former Sri Lanka Under-19 captain now has an opportunity to show that he can make the considerable jump from domestic and age group cricket to the international stage. Sineth skippered Royal College, Colombo with distinction.
There will also be considerable interest in leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, another player Sri Lanka have invested in with an eye on the future. With Wanindu Hasaranga out of the equation, Viyaskanth has an opportunity to make a strong case for a regular berth rather than remain on the fringes.
Sri Lanka will be encouraged by the fact that Pakistan too have opted to look beyond some of their established names for the T20I leg of the tour.
Sahibzada Farhan will captain Pakistan after leading them at the recently concluded Asian Games in Japan, taking over from Salman Ali Agha, who has been left out of the T20I squad. Salman remains part of Pakistan’s ODI plans.
Pakistan have also rested Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi for the T20Is, although both return for the ODI tri-series, where Shaheen will continue as captain.
The hosts have named uncapped all-rounders Razaullah and Mohammad Imran Randhawa in their 15-member T20I squad, while Maaz Sadaqat and Hasan Nawaz have been rewarded for impressive performances at the Asian Games.
Hasan finished the tournament as Pakistan’s leading run scorer with 123 runs, including a blistering 96 off 51 balls against India in the final, although Pakistan had to settle for silver.
Fast bowler Naseem Shah returns to Pakistan’s T20I squad having last played the format against Sri Lanka in February, while Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed provide experience.
For Sri Lanka, while Nissanka’s runs will be sorely missed his absence means someone else has the chance to put his hand up. Sri Lanka will hope one or two of their young guns grab that opportunity with both hands.
The ODI tri-series will follow the T20Is, with the first three matches being played in Rawalpindi before the tournament moves to Lahore for the remaining league games and the final.
Pakistan have retained a more experienced core for the 50-over competition, with Babar, Salman, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf among those included.
Former Pakistan Under-19 captain Saad Baig has earned his maiden ODI call-up after scoring more than 1,000 runs in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, while left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Moqim is another notable inclusion.
Pakistan have also strengthened their backroom staff, bringing back former Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait as bowling consultant. Tait previously served as Pakistan’s bowling coach in 2022-23 and replaces Ashley Noffke, who left after the Asian Games to take over as Netherlands head coach.
ATF Under-16 Colombo Week 1 Tennis
Sri Lanka’s junior players delivered a series of impressive performances on Wednesday, with the girls claiming all four semi-final places at the ATF Under-16 Colombo 2026 Week 1 tournament, held at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts.
Damsath Peiris
Methuli Naotunne led the charge with a notable quarter-final win over India’s Yashmitha Santhosh, recovering from a set loss to prevail 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. Kiara Jayamanne also came from behind to beat India’s Ahnavi Shaw 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
Risindi
Hewawasam
In an all-Sri Lankan quarter-final, Risindi Hewawasam overcame Desandi Peiris 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, while Disini Samaraweera defeated Sayli Basnayake 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.
The Sri Lankan boys also impressed. Damsath Peiris beat Buvindu Jayawardhana 8-2, 7-6, and Yonal Dankumbura battled to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Jayan Sebastian.
The visiting players, however, proved tough to beat. The Philippines’ Anthony Castigador defeated Sri Lanka’s Dehan Wickramasinghe 6-2, 6-4, and India’s Gurshaan Chahal fought back to overcome Udeera Gunasinghe 2-6, 7-5, 7-5.
(RF)
Mosvold Sixes 2026 concluded on Sunday at the Colombo Malay Cricket Club with Travel Trends Leisure crowned champions after a closely fought final against last year’s winners, Connaissance De Ceylan Sri Lanka, who finished as runners-up. Transco Travels were second runners-up.
Twenty three destination management companies took part in the six-a-side softball cricket tournament, organised by Mosvold Sri Lanka.
The Mosvold Martinus Challenge Trophy 2026 was presented to the champions by Nilanka Martinus, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Mosvold Boutique Hotels. Chief Guest Farveez Maharoof, the former Sri Lanka all-rounder, presented the runners-up award to Connaissance De Ceylan Sri Lanka.
This year’s twenty three competing DMCs were 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 Sri Lanka, Delux Holidays, Ceylon Roots, Spiceland Holidays, Infinity Vacations, Tropiculture, Serene Travels, Authenticities, Red Apple Travel & Holidays Lanka, DTH Travel Lanka, Hayleys Travels, We stay Ceylon, Transco Travels and Ceylon Tours.
Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and Southern provinces and in Anuradhapura district
PSTA worse than PTA: FSP
Shiranthi R remanded until 13 Oct.
Former NSB Chairman Kariyawasam granted bail
Katchatheevu row: India SC urges fishermen to avoid Sri Lankan waters
Remembering Juvenal, Coke, Acton and Machiavelli
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Editorial6 days agoColombo Port drug bust: The plot thickens
-
Features4 days agoThe first woman in the foreign service or Ceylon Overseas Service it was then called
-
Editorial5 days agoFuelling discontent and protest
-
News3 days agoGeneva takes up Sallay’s case and govt. ignores opportunity to answer accusations
-
Latest News5 days agoTharindu Rathnayake, bowlers secure Asian Games Bronze for Sri Lanka
-
Foreign News5 days agoTen injured after car crashes into rugby supporters in Australia
-
Features3 days agoSri Lanka Cricket Bill: Governance reform is not yet a cricket strategy
-
News4 days agoNearly 20 Iranian tankers stranded off Lanka amid US sanctions