The Vision Care 111st Colombo Tennis Championships 2026 will begin today at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) clay courts in Colombo with a record number of entries and the biggest prize fund in the tournament’s history worth Rs. 3 million, officials announced at a press conference.

‎The prestigious three-week championship, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and most respected ‘A’ Grade tournaments, is expected to bring together the country’s leading players while providing a major stage for emerging talent from across the island.

‎SLTA Playing Section President Sriya Munasinghe said the tournament continues to play a key role in developing local tennis and helping young players progress to higher levels.

‎”This is one of the oldest ‘A’ Grade tournaments in Sri Lanka. We are honoured to host it once again on our six clay courts, especially with a record number of entries this year,” Munasinghe said.

‎He said the championship offers valuable opportunities for players from all regions, including Ampara and Matara, and helps identify future stars of Sri Lankan tennis.

‎SLTA Playing Section Captain Prashanth Dissanayake said the governing body aims to raise the standard of the competition through greater investment and long-term development plans.

‎”Last year we offered Rs. 2.5 million in prize money, and this year the prize fund has increased significantly. We believe greater investment will raise the standard of competition and strengthen Sri Lankan tennis,” Dissanayake said.

‎He revealed plans to eventually transform the event into a major South Asian tournament under the name “Colombo Open”.

‎”We dream of this becoming the Colombo Open, attracting the best players from South Asia. This is not only about tennis but also about building a sporting identity for Sri Lanka,” he said.

‎The tournament will feature Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Junior Singles and Doubles from Under-12 to Under-18 age groups, as well as several Senior events for players over 35 years.

‎Vision Care will continue as the title sponsor for the 12th successive year, highlighting its long-standing commitment to Sri Lankan tennis.

‎Vision Care Optical Services Managing Director Janaka Fonseka said the company was proud to continue supporting the championship and promoting healthy lifestyles through sport.

‎”We believe sport is vital for the health of the nation and are proud to continue supporting the Colombo Championships,” Fonseka said.

‎Wilson will be the Official Ball Partner.

With Sri Lankan javelin sensation Rumesh Tharanga continuing to make headlines through his record-breaking performances on the international stage, his success is already inspiring the next generation of throwers at home.

‎At the Junior National Athletics Championship, Lyceum International School, Wattala athlete Themiya Thabrew took a significant step towards emulating his illustrious compatriot by achieving the qualifying standard for the World Junior Athletics Championships.

‎Competing in the Under-20 boys’ javelin throw, Thabrew produced a meet record throw of 69.85 metres, surpassing the World Junior Championship qualifying standard of 68.50 metres for the championship to be held in Oregon, USA.

‎Thabrew’s achievement comes at a time when Sri Lankan athletics is enjoying unprecedented success in the javelin throw, spearheaded by Tharanga’s remarkable rise on the world stage. The youngster’s performance highlighted the positive influence of having a world-class athlete setting new benchmarks for the sport in Sri Lanka.

‎As Tharanga continues to rewrite the record books internationally, athletes such as Thabrew are demonstrating that the future of Sri Lankan javelin throwing remains bright.

‎Incidentally, Tharanga earned his first major global recognition when he finished seventh at the World Junior Championships in Cali, Colombia, in 2022 with a throw of 69.98 metres, which established a new national junior record. Thabrew’s mark of 69.85 metres at the Junior National Championship has brought him within touching distance of that record.

‎In 2022, Tharanga and several other Sri Lankan athletes faced severe financial constraints before eventually making the journey to Cali. As Thabrew and other athletes who have achieved qualifying standards prepare for future international assignments, it is hoped they will receive the recognition and support necessary to represent the country on the world stage.

by Reemus Fernando

In recent years, much of the conversation around Sri Lanka’s fast bowling has centred on bowlers with slingy actions. The men’s national team has quite a few, the Under-19 side boasts several more and the women’s team is no different. Ever since Lasith Malinga revolutionised pace bowling, many young quicks have sought to emulate him. Such has been his influence that bowlers with classical actions have become something of a rarity.

Which is why Chetana Vimukthi stands out.

The 24-year-old, currently in England with Sri Lanka’s Women’s team for the ICC T20 World Cup, remains relatively unknown, but she has all the ingredients to become the next big thing in women’s cricket.

Hailing from the remote village of Buttala in the Monaragala District, Chetana was identified by Sri Lanka Cricket’s district coaches and the pace she has generated in training has left the coaching staff impressed.

It is not just raw speed that catches the eye. Chetana possesses excellent control, a smooth, uncomplicated action and a superb follow through. The manner in which she sets batters up and uses the short ball sparingly suggests a sharp cricketing brain to go with her skill set.

For years, Sri Lanka Women relied heavily on spin. But since Jamie Siddons took over as head coach, there has been a conscious effort to develop pace options as well and that shift has opened the door for Chetana.

Still new to the system, she has yet to feature in a game at this World Cup and is currently playing more of a reserve role. But her time will come, and when it does, she has the ability to make a significant impact.

Sri Lanka arrived in Bristol on Wednesday after their stunning victory over defending champions New Zealand, a result that all but ended the White Ferns’ semi-final hopes.

The team trained in Bristol on Thursday morning and will spend the next week in the city, with two matches scheduled there. Of those, Sunday’s clash against West Indies is crucial. A victory would go a long way towards securing a place in the semi-finals.

Sri Lanka toured the Caribbean earlier this year and defeated the West Indies in their own backyard, a memory that should give Chamari Atapattu’s side plenty of confidence.

The 12-team tournament features two groups of six, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals.

Sri Lanka Women have never reached the last four of an ICC event.

Rex Clementine in Bristol