Sports
Dialog Axiata congratulates the historic win for Sri Lanka sports
The official sponsor of the National Paralympic team for over two decades, Dialog Axiata PLC, congratulated the extraordinary achievement accomplished by gold medallist and new javelin F46 world record holder Dinesh Priyantha Herath and bronze medallist, Samitha Dulan Kodithuwakku for their unparalleled achievements at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Dinesh Priyantha Herath made history in the morning hours of Monday the 30th of August 2021, when he secured Sri Lanka’s first ever Gold at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, while his team mate Samitha Dulan Kodithuwakku, a short while later secured Bronze on a personal best distance of 65.61 meters in the F64 javelin event.
Dinesh Priyantha Herath, who is also the captain of the nine member Sri Lankan contingent entered the game’s record books by establishing a new world record throw of 67.79 meters in the men’s javelin F46 event.
Commenting on his record-breaking win, Dinesh Priyantha Herath said, “my main target was to set a new world record and win a gold medal for my country. It took years of dedication and I am extremely happy to have achieved these accomplishments. Following the injuries I suffered in 2008 while serving my country, it took four years of rehabilitation, after which I started Javelin in 2012. I would like to thank my family, my team, and everyone who supported me on my journey towards this victory.”
Speaking on this momentous occasion, Hon. Namal Rajapaksa MP – Minister of Youth & Sports said, “It was a defining moment for our nation when the Sri Lankan national anthem echoed across the arena as Dinesh Herath won this historic Gold for our country. We are incredibly proud of his achievement. I would also like to commend the National Paralympics Committee for enabling these athletes to achieve greatness at a global platform, their commitment and dedication to the program has been exceptional. Combined with the efforts of the Department of Sports Development, the Ministry of Youth & Sports & the National Sports Council’s high-performance program the Paralympic committee has set the bar for all other sporting bodies in Sri Lanka. I would also like to thank Dialog Axiata for their unwavering support towards the National Paralympic team for over two decades and for showing us all how empowering sports can truly transform lives.”
Col. Deepal Herath, President of the National Paralympic Committee said, “We are incredibly proud of Dinesh Herath for making Sri Lanka continuously proud over the years and Samitha Kodithuwakku for his personal best throw at the 2020 Tokyo Para Games. It is a testament to the contingent working as one team to achieve this Herculean goal. We are immensely thankful to Dialog for their unwavering support extended since the year 2000, believing in our athletes and empowering their unparalleled achievements through the years”.
Maj. Gen. JR Ampemohotti, the Chef de Mission of the Sri Lanka contingent said, “Sri Lankan Paralympians have performed admirably and have brought glory to their country by winning consecutive medals at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. Despite restrictions to training due to the COVID-19 pandemic the team has worked hard to do what it takes to climb the podium and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.”
Commenting on this milestone achievement, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC said, “the historic win by Dinesh and Samitha is a testament to all Sri Lankans on what can be achieved with dedication, perseverance and discipline. Dialog Axiata is proud to have been part of this historic journey with the National Paralympic Committee and Army Para Games for the last two decades. We remain committed to nurturing Sri Lanka’s Champions of tomorrow to reach the pinnacle and bring glory to our motherland.”
Dialog Axiata is the proud sponsor of Sri Lanka’s National Cricket, Rugby, Volleyball and Netball teams. The Company also has a close association with the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, Club Rugby, Schools Rugby, Premier Football, Schools’ Cricket, Junior Volleyball and Paralympic sports – whilst also powering the Army Para Games, National Para Games and the Sri Lanka contingent to the World Paralympic Games.
Central College produced a remarkable final day comeback to win the Battle of the North Big Match, defeating St. John’s College by three wickets after an outstanding eighth-wicket partnership between Murali Thison and Jesuthasan Nitharsan.
Central had been playing second fiddle to their arch-rivals for most of the match until the morning of the third day, when Thison and Nitharsan turned the game around with a match-winning unbeaten stand of 93 runs.
At the start of the final day Central were in a difficult position, trailing by more than 120 runs with only four wickets in hand. Overnight batsman Iyathure Kabishek, who had scored 21, was dismissed after adding 37 runs for the seventh wicket with Thison. From that point onwards, Thison and Nitharsan combined to frustrate the St. John’s bowlers, batting together for 12 overs to guide their team to a memorable victory.
Emmanouil Karalis in action in Rouen
Thison had already been a thorn in the flesh of the St. John’s batting line-up from the opening day, capturing 12 wickets in the match, including seven in the second innings. However, his superb bowling effort initially appeared likely to go in vain due to Central’s poor batting performance.
Central beat St. John’s by three wickets at the Battle of the North Big Match.
Central had struggled in their first innings, being bowled out for just 95 runs, with the highest individual score coming from Antanareshan Abishek who made 23. Only three other batsmen reached double figures, while Thison was dismissed for just one run.
In contrast, Thison rose to the occasion in the second innings, producing a magnificent unbeaten 81 that proved to be the cornerstone of Central’s successful chase. His innings came off 126 balls and included eight boundaries and a six.
Nitharsan played the perfect supporting role with a brisk unbeaten 44 off just 33 deliveries, striking five fours and two sixes to accelerate the scoring during the decisive stand.
Earlier in the innings, openers Jayaseelan Jenoshan (20) and Kabilan Amalan (45) had given Central a solid start, putting on 44 runs for the first wicket.
St. John’s had earlier gained the advantage with a first-innings lead, and in their second innings a brilliant century from Uthayanan Abijoyshanth — 121 off 105 balls with 15 fours and four sixes — helped them post a challenging total of 247.
Despite the odds being heavily stacked against them heading into the final day, Central’s determined batting display, led by Thison and Nitharsan, ensured a memorable turnaround and a thrilling victory in the historic Battle of the North.
The traditional Big Match between St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa and Prince of Wales’ College Moratuwa ended in a draw after an absorbing contest at De Soysa Stadium Moratuwa on Sunday.
St. Sebastian’s produced a strong second innings batting display with five top-order batsmen scoring half centuries to finish on 279 for five wickets declared, setting their arch rivals a target of 230 runs for victory.
Prince of Wales struggled in their run chase and were reeling at 54 for five wickets at stumps after 28 overs when play concluded.
Batting first, St. Sebastian’s were bowled out for 214 runs with Chamath Wellalage providing the main resistance with a half century. Nethul Anuhas and Rusandu Silva shared the bowling honours for the Cambrians, claiming three wickets each.
Prince of Wales responded with 263 runs in their first innings to take a slender lead. Suwahas Fernando anchored the innings with a well-compiled 77 off 145 deliveries, holding the top order together. Opening batsman Palingu Perera also made a valuable contribution with 42 runs.
Milantha Silva was the standout bowler for the Sebastianites, delivering a marathon spell of 36.2 overs to capture five wickets for 100 runs. Koshendra Fernando provided good support, claiming three wickets while bowling 31 overs.
In their second innings, St. Sebastian’s mounted an impressive batting effort. Thivanka Fernando (50), Kaveesha Perera (52), Lashen Fernando (54), Koshendra Fernando (66 not out off 68 balls) and Chamath Wellalage (50 not out off 49 balls) all struck half centuries as the Sebastianites declared at 279 for five, setting up an intriguing finish.
However, the Cambrians lost wickets at regular intervals during their chase before the match eventually ended in a draw.
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