Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), under the direction of the Cricket Transformation Committee launched a special program aimed at educating and developing school cricket coaches in the country.

The inaugural session of the program was held on Monday, 25th May, at the High Performance Center of the SLC with the participation of 74 coaches representing Division ‘1’ and ‘2’ schools.

The Head Coach of the Sri Lanka Men’s Team Gary Kirsten conducted a two-hour session for the participating coaches. During the session, Kirsten shared valuable insights into modern coaching methods and highlighted key areas coaches should focus on in order to nurture talented and promising young cricketers.

He emphasized the importance of creating a friendly and supportive environment for children while teaching them cricketing skills. Kirsten also noted that coaches must continuously improve their own skill levels in order to develop successful players. He encouraged school coaches to focus more on producing good cricketers rather than simply concentrating on winning matches.

Joining Kirsten at the program were Ryan van Niekerk, National Bowling Coach, and Jordan Gregory, National Fielding and Spin Bowling Coach, who also shared their expertise and experiences with the school coaches.

Sidath Wettimuny, Chairman of the Cricket Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket, who is also a member of the Cricket Transformation Committee, did the introductory speech of the program.

The program also featured an interactive Question-and-Answer session, giving participants the opportunity to engage directly with Gary Kirsten and further enhance their knowledge.

This program will continue periodically, with the objective of developing highly skilled and knowledgeable coaches within the Sri Lankan school cricket system.

The 400 metres relay quartet inclusive of Sadew Rajakaruna and Omel Shashintha and 800 metres specialist Tharushi Abisheka will lead the country’s medal quest in the boys and girls categories when the Asian Junior Athletics Championship starts in Hong Kong today.

‎After having run sub 46 seconds in the 400 metres recently, Rajakaruna is expected to carry huge expectations to the regional event alongside Shashintha who too came almost close to clock sub 46.

‎They will compete in both the 400 metres and the 200 metres apart from playing lead roles in the relay.

Tharushi Abisheka

‎Both athletes are among the top sprinters in the Asian region and were a part of the nationl record setting quartet in the short track 4×400 metres relay along side seniors. They are expected to use their experience in competing at top international level to good effect.

‎In the girls’ category Abisheka is the leading contender for medals.

‎The Asian Youth Champion is scheduled to compete in both the 800 metres and the 1,500 metres.

‎In the field events, Tharusha Mendis has high hopes of bringing his best in the high jump.

‎‎Team

‎Under 20 Men’s:

Omel Shashintha Silva – 400m, 200m, 4x400m Relay, Sadew Rajakaruna – 400m, 200m, 4x400m Relay, Thisen Ranvidu Pathirage – Mixed Relay, 4x400m Relay, Iresh Bogoda – 4x400m Relay, Mixed Relay, Irosha Edirisingha – 4x400m Relay, Mixed Relay, Nethsara Dineth Liyanage – 800m, 1500m, Vidushan Rajendran – 3000m, Kaveesha Kulathunga – 110mH, Shavindu Nimasha Dias – 400mH, Kalpadith Hansaja Uyanwaththa – 400mH, Deesara Sendil Herath – Long Jump, Tharusha Mendis – High Jump, Nethra Chandupa Fernando – High Jump, Thehara Ravishka Fernando- Triple Jump, Sasindu Hansana Jayasingha – Triple Jump.

Under 20 Women’s:

Risansa Hirupama Silva – 200m, Dilanma Ransini Perera – 200m, Tharushi Abhisheka – 800m, 1500m, Mixed Relay, Mihinsa Dewmini Abeyrathna – High Jump, Oshini Kavindya Kodikara – Triple Jump, Ronalee Anne Pieris – 400m, Mixed Relay, Warsha Devmini Wimalasekara – Mixed Relay.‎

Sri Lanka is preparing to host one of the biggest international martial arts events ever staged in the country, as the International and Thai Martial Arts (Asian Games) Sri Lanka 2026 comes to Goldi Sands Hotel, Negombo, from 28 May to 1 June 2026. The prestigious championship will feature Muaythai and UBF Boxing contests, bringing together elite fighters, coaches, and martial arts enthusiasts from around the world.

The event is officially sanctioned by the World Muaythai Organization (WMO), the World Muay Boran Federation (WMBF), and the Union Boxing Federation (UBF), making it a major global platform for both traditional and modern martial arts disciplines. It has also received approval from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau under the Ministry of Tourism, with the support of the Royal Thai Embassy in Sri Lanka and local authorities.

A total of 14 countries have already confirmed participation, including Indonesia, Korea, Singapore, the USA, England, Uzbekistan, India, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Australia, Vietnam, Russia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Fight nights are scheduled for 30 May, 31 May, and 1 June 2026, with each evening running from 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Ticket prices are Rs. 3,000 for Saturday and Monday, and Rs. 3,500 for Sunday’s opening ceremony show.

Organizers say the event will offer a unique beachfront atmosphere, live DJ entertainment, food and beverages, international seminars, and opportunities to meet world-class fighters and legendary grand masters. With elite athletes now being selected, the championship is expected to become a historic sporting highlight for Sri Lanka.