Sports
Thushara’s five for guides Gurukula, century on debut for Sanesh

Under-19 Cricket
by Reemus Fernando
A five wicket haul by spinner Thushara Madushan and a debut First XI century by Sanesh Fernando were highlights of the Under-19 Limited Overs Tournament and Traditional two-day format matches played on Friday
Left- arm spinner Thushara Madushan excelled with a five wicket haul as Gurukula registered a five wickets win over D.S. Senanayake College in the Under-19 Division I Limited Overs tournament tier ‘A’ match played in Colombo.
Madushan’s five wicket haul was crucial in Gurukula containing DSS to 169 runs. A last year player, Madushan gave away just 20 runs in his nine overs.
Chasing the target Rashmika Mewan top scored with 52 runs, while skipper Kemira Nayanatharu and Janitha Shehan made vital contributions to reach the target with many overs to spare.
In the other Tier ‘A’ match played on Friday, St. Thomas’ beat St. Benedict’s by 31 runs at Uyanwatta Stadium.
On day one of the traditional encounter between St. Sebastian’s and Dharmasoka at Moratuwa, Sanesh Fernando hogged limelight scoring the bulk of runs for the home team. While Fernando scored a century on his debut First Xi match, Lohan de Soysa picked up five wickets for the visitors.
Results
Gurukula beat DSS in Colombo
DSS
169 all out in 48.2 overs (Abishek Liyanarachchi 58, Amitha Dabare 32, Sansidu Gunarathna 31n.o.; Thushara Madhushan 5/20, Rashmika Mevan 2/30, Vihanga Iranjana 2/29)
Gurukula
172 for 5 in 28.3 overs (Rashmika Mevan 52, Kemira Nayanatharu 43, Janitha Shehan 37n.o.; Imesh Adeesha 2/39)
St. Thomas’ beat St. Benedict’s by 31 runs at Uyanwatta
St. Thomas’
233 for 6 in 50 overs (Harindu Jayasekara 37, Pesandu Sanjan 38, Woshitha Amarasingha 59n.o., Hirantha Lakshan 29, Hirusha Jeewadith 36; Hasindra Kavirathne 2/44, Ashen de Zoysa 2/32)
St. Benedict’s
202 all out in 47.2 overs (Pasan Suwahas 37, Hasindra Kavirathna 25, Nimesh Soysa 31, Thenuka Nandalal 43, Dilan Thabrew 32; Woshitha Amarasingha 2/14, Sachira Rashmika 2/41)
Traditional Matches
Ananda V St. Peter’s
at Ananda Mawatha
Ananda
187 for 6 in 52 overs (Nushal Dharmarathna 23, Hansaja Jayasingha 41,Shakthi Udara 22n.o., Saviru Bandara 35n.o.; Wanuja Kumara 2/54)
St. Joseph’s V Royal at Darley Road
St. Joseph’s
210 all out in 60 overs (Dunith Wellalage 71, Yesith Rupasingha 26, Shenuka De Silva 24; Kavindu Pathirathna 2/29, Sonal Amarasekara 3/21, Gishan Balasooriya 2/78)
Royal
33 for no loss in 18 overs (Ashen Gamage 23n.o.)
St. Sebastian’s V Dharmasoka
at Moratuwa
St. Sebastian’s
241 all out in 67.1 overs (Sanesh Fernando 102, Bihanga Mendis 52, Kushan Herath 21; Lohan de Soysa 5/40, Sahan Sankalpa 3/35)
Dharmasoka
32 for 1 at stumps
Sports
Three uncapped players in Athapaththu-led squad for tri-series

The uncapped trio of Malki Madara, Dewmi Vihanga and Piumi Badalge are among six changes to the squad that toured New Zealand earlier this year, as Sri Lanka named a 17-member squad for the upcoming ODI tri-series against India and South Africa starting April 27.
There are recalls for veteran Inoka Ranaweera, as well as Hasini Perera and Hansima Karunaratne. Making way are Imesha Dulani, Sachini Nisansala, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Chethana Vimukthi and the injured Udeshika Prabodhani.
Of the three new faces, 24-year-old spinner Madara made her senior debut during last month’s T20I series against New Zealand, impressing with a match-winning three-wicket haul in her first game.
She joins a strong spin contingent, bolstered by the returning Ranaweera, and one that also has the likes of Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, star allrounder Kavisha Dilhari, and the uncapped 19-year-old spin-bowling allrounder Vihanga.
Another player who will be eyeing an ODI debut will be 18-year-old batting allrounder Rashmika Sewwandi, who was part of Sri Lanka’s squad at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year. Sewwandi is one of just two seamers in the squad, alongside Achini Kulasuriya.
The squad is largely settled on the batting front, with skipper Chamari Athapaththu leading a mostly unchanged unit which includes Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva and Anushka Sanjeewani.
There are, however, slots for the taking with 17-year-old Manudi Nanayakkara one to keep an eye on, after she scored a brisk 35 in her only opportunity on the tour of New Zealand. Panadura CC captain Badalge, 29, will also be hoping for a first opportunity with the national side.
Sri Lanka play India in Colombo on April 27 to begin the series.
Sri Lanka squad for women’s ODI tri-series
Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Manudi Nanayakkara, Hasini Perera, Achini Kulasuriya, Piumi Badalge, Dewmi Vihanga, Hansima Karunaratne, Malki Madara, Inoshi Priyadarshini, Sugandika Kumari, Rashmika Sewwandi, Inoka Ranaweera
(Cricinfo)
Latest News
Three uncapped players in Sri Lanka’s Athapaththu-led squad for womens tri-series

The uncapped trio of Malki Madara, Dewmi Vihanga and Piumi Badalge are among six changes to the women’s squad that toured New Zealand earlier this year, as Sri Lanka named a 17-member squad for the upcoming ODI tri-series against India and South Africa starting April 27.
There are recalls for veteran Inoka Ranaweera as well as Hasini Perera ans and Hansima Karunaratne. Making way are Imesha Dulani, Sachini Nisansala, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Chethana Vimukthi and the injured Udeshika Prabodhani.
The three new faces, 24-year-old spinner Madara made her senior debut during last month’s T20I series against New Zealand, impressing with a match-winning three-wicket haul in her first game.
She joins a strong spin contingent, bolstered by the returning Ranaweera, and one that also has the likes of Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, star allrounder. Kavisha Dilhari , and the uncapped 19-year-old spin-bowling allrounder Vihanga.
Another player who will be eyeing an ODI debut will be 18-year-old batting allrounder Rashmika Sewwandi, who was part of Sri Lanka’s squad at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year. Sewwandi is one of just two seamers in the squad, alongside Achini Kulasuriya.
The squad is largely settled on the batting front, with skipper Chamari Athapaththu leading a mostly unchanged unit which includes Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva and Anushka Sanjeewani.
There are, however, slots for the taking with 17-year-old Manudi Nanayakkara one to keep an eye on, after she scored a brisk 35 in her only opportunity on the tour of New Zealand. Panadura CC captain Badalge, 29, will also be hoping for a first opportunity with the national side.
Sri Lanka play India in Colombo on April 27 to begin the series.
Sri Lanka squad for women’s ODI tri-series:
Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Manudi Nanayakkara, Hasini Perera, Achini Kulasuriya, Piumi Badalge, Dewmi Vihanga, Hansima Karunaratne, Malki Madara, Inoshi Priyadarshini, Sugandika Kumari, Rashmika Sewwandi, Inoka Ranaweera
(Cricinfo)
Sports
SLC opens new high-tech pool at HPC

In a bold stride towards sporting excellence, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) unveiled a state-of-the-art swimming pool at the National High Performance Center, located within the iconic R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
The eight-lane, semi-Olympic standard facility was ceremonially declared open by the Honorable Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Sunil Kumara Gamage, at the invitation of SLC President Shammi Silva. SLC’s Ex-Co members too were present at the occasion alongside former Test captain and current Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya.
National women’s team captain Chamari Atapattu and her teammates also marked their presence, signaling the pool’s immediate value to elite athletes.
Spanning 25 meters in length and 21 meters in width, with a depth between 1.2 and 1.8 meters, the new pool is a cornerstone of SLC’s ambitious National Pathway Program.
It aims to bolster player fitness, post-match recovery, and injury rehabilitation for the National, ‘A’ team, and the fast and spin bowling squads. Visiting international teams will also have access to the facility during Sri Lanka tours.
Fully equipped with modern changing rooms, first aid units, and athlete support amenities, the new aquatic addition is more than just a pool — it’s a symbol of SLC’s commitment to building a holistic, world-class training environment.
The High Performance Center already boasts a full gymnasium, an international-standard cricket ground, under-lights training facilities, a dedicated physiotherapy wing, and the acclaimed Brain Center for data-driven performance analysis.
Coming soon in Phase Two: a Jacuzzi, an ice bath, and a new indoor net complex — all part of Sri Lanka Cricket’s drive to stay ahead of the curve in global cricketing infrastructure.
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