The opening T20I followed an all-too-familiar script for Sri Lanka. Heavy scoring at the top giving way to middle order brittleness and a late salvage job. Only this time, not even that script went the way it was supposed to against West Indies.

While Kusal Mendis gave Sri Lanka the high-octane start they desired, the loss of four top-order batters before the halfway point of the innings meant the remaining members of a truncated batting line-up – owing to Sri Lanka’s aggressive 6-5 combination – had to shelve any attacking ambitions and prioritise consolidation. Stuttering through a 25-run death-overs period told a story.

If one were to seek out silver linings, however, the manner of Sri Lanka’s dismissals could at the very least not be put down to a lack of intent. Head coach Gary Kirsten has spoken openly of his preference for process over immediate results, and while that might be a tricky balancing act in the short-term, it could still reap rich dividends in the not-so-distant future.

That said, living in the present as we are, from the highs of an ODI series win in the Caribbean for the first time in 23 years, the transition to T20Is has highlighted the stark contrast in firepower between the sides. Each of West Indies top-five batters cleared the ropes at least once, and looking further down the line-up it was clear there were plenty more hitters to come.

Sri Lanka by contrast had just three batters share their six sixers, with Kusal and Kamindu Mendis accounting for five of those. It’s a glaring mismatch when comparing the two sides, and a worrying one if you are of Sri Lankan persuasion.

On the flip side, For Shai Hope’s men, troubles seem much farther out and a victory in the second match will wrap up the series with a game to spare. Their multi-pronged pace attack successfully exploited the bounce at Sabina Park, and the batting line-up executed their plans largely as they would have intended – even if they allowed Sri Lanka to drag the game deeper than perhaps planned.

The hosts will now be looking for a more complete performance, particularly with the bat, as they seek to put Sri Lanka to the proverbial sword. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, face a quick turnaround to snap their batting into place, or they risk playing a dead rubber on Sunday.

After a match-winning 3 for 18 in the opener, Jason Holder showed why his experience is crucial to this balanced West Indies unit. He broke the back of Sri Lanka’s top order, which in turn dictated the tempo of the entire innings. With the pitches in Kingston, where all the matches are being played, showing some wear and patchy grass, Holder’s subtle variations and cutters could be a major threat once again.

Kamindu Mendis was a rare bright spot in Sri Lanka’s underwhelming scorecard, fighting through for a 39-ball 51. His ability to counter pace and spin alike makes him central to Sri Lanka’s plans. The management also seems to trust him to handle tricky scenarios, pitched recently as an ODI opener and now increasingly as a middle-order firefighter-cum-enforcer. However, he drastically needs support from those around him if Sri Lanka want to lay down a platform capable of challenging the hosts.

West Indies left out left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie in the first game to field an extra seamer, a tactical move that paid rich dividends. Given how effectively Shamar Joseph and Romario Shepherd supported Holder, the home side is highly likely to field an unchanged XI.

West Indies XI (probable): Shai Hope (capt, wk), Brandon King,  Shimron Hetmyer,  Roston Chase,  Sherfane Rutherford,  Rovman Powell, Jason Holder,  Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph

Sri Lanka opted for a 6-5 combination with rookie batter Lasith Croospulle at No. 3. After a stunning top-order collapse, they might contemplate bringing in Dunith Wellalage to strengthen both their spin options and lower-order batting depth – though who makes way will depend on whether or not Sri Lanka opt for three front-line seamers.

Sri Lanka XI (probable): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (capt, wk),  Lasith Croospulle/Dunith Wellalage, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis,  Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga,  Dilshan Madushanka/Dunith Wellalage  Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera,  Eshan Malinga

The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early warnings to the Districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 1600hrs on 13th June 2026 till 1600hrs on 14th June 2026.

Accordingly,

LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surounding areas of Palindanuwara and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district,  Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya and Ayagama, Pelmadulla,
Godakawela, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.

A decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease in the Colombo District.

This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held on Friday  (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island wide to date, of which 25.8% have been recorded in the Colombo District. Following this situation, the Colombo District has been identified as a high-risk district.

Health authorities informed that the increasing spread of the disease has been influenced not only by the nature of circulating virus but also to the lack of sufficient immunity among the population. They further noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall has aggravated the spread of Dengue.

It was also identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private establishments, schools, and religious venues rather than from residential premises. Observations have identified improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and other public locations as major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Accordingly, during the Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June, a series of measures will be implemented, including, organising community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, residential areas, and other public spaces; Conducting inspections of high-risk premises by Divisional Secretariats and taking legal action, where necessary, followed by awareness programmes; Distributing informational leaflets, displaying banners, and carrying out public awareness campaigns through the media. Health authorities also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school cleaning programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student is diagnosed with dengue.

The programme is expected to receive the active support and participation of the district’s political leadership, religious leaders of all faiths, public officials, local government institutions, the tri-forces, the police, and the general public.

The event was attended by the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government authorities, government secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors, among others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]