Sports
Dimuth announces retirement after landmark Test
Rex Clementine in Galle
Dimuth Karunaratne, one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable openers, has announced that he will hang up his boots after the second Test against Australia in Galle – his 100th Test match. The 36-year-old will walk away from the game as Sri Lanka’s most prolific opening batsman, amassing 7,172 runs, the fourth-highest tally by a Sri Lankan in Test cricket.
A run machine in his prime, Karunaratne was the rock at the top of the order for over a decade. However, his recent form suggested that Father Time was beginning to bowl a few unplayable deliveries. He has gone 25 innings without a century, managing just five half-centuries in that stretch – an uncharacteristic lean patch for someone known for his consistency.
“As a kid, my only dream was to play just one Test match. Reaching 100 Tests is something truly special. But as you may have heard, this will also be my last,” Karunaratne told journalists on the eve of the Test match.
“To be honest, I initially wanted to play the two Test matches against Bangladesh later this year before making a decision. But when you are part of the World Test Championship cycle, you have to take stock of things and make a call at the right time. I’m at peace with my decision,” he added.
Renowned for his cool-headed approach and affable nature, Karunaratne also proved to be a shrewd leader. Taking over the captaincy at a turbulent time in 2019, he steadied the ship and led Sri Lanka for three years, with the crowning jewel of his tenure being the historic series win in South Africa. To this day, Sri Lanka remain the only Asian team to conquer the Proteas in their own backyard – a feather in Karunaratne’s cap.
“You always set goals in life, and the beauty of the game is that you chase your dreams, though you may not achieve all of them. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my career – it’s been a fantastic journey. Now, it’s time to pass the baton to the next generation. There are so many talented young players waiting in the wings,” Karunaratne remarked.
“Back in 2017, when I hit a rich vein of form, I thought I could push towards 10,000 Test runs. But then came COVID, and in recent years the opportunities to play Test cricket became scarce. That’s something that I regret,” he admitted.
Karunaratne isn’t planning to step away from the game entirely. Instead, he has already started his second innings – as a coach.
“I’ve begun my coaching journey, and once this series is over, I’ll head to Australia to complete my Level II and Level III coaching certifications. Then, I want to come back and contribute to Sri Lankan cricket as a coach,” he revealed.
Sri Lanka Athletics has invited India, the Philippines and the Maldives for next month’s Relay Championships conducted by Sri Lanka Schools Athletics Association in a bid to provide the men’s 4×400 metres relay quartet with a chance to reach qualifying standards for the World Relays.
Currently Sri Lanka men’s 4×400 metres relay team is within the required ranking position to compete at the prestigious World Relays taking place in Guangzhou, China. The 3:04.48 seconds finish to win the gold medal of the men’s 4×400 metres at the Asian Relays in May last year has placed Sri Lanka in the 31st position in the ‘Road to Guangzhou’ rankings.
But with many competitions coming up within the next couple of months Sri Lanka Athletics wants to leave no stone unturned in their quest to keep the ranking position within the qualifying range.
The teams in the first 32 positions according to the times produced within the qualifying period (January 1, 2024 to April 13, 2025) become eligible for the World Relays taking place on May 10 and 11 in Guangzhou.
Sri Lanka’s chances of improving the current standings (31st) at this week’s World Indoor Championship in China are minimal as Olympian Aruna Dharshana, who is the fastest of the current crop of athletes will not be available for the event.
Dharshana is currently training and competing in Australia. He is looking forward to reach qualifying standards or reach the required ranking position for World Championships in the 400 metres.
The World Athletics has set a tough standard of 44.85 seconds for the men’s 400 metres. While only 17 are selected through direct qualifying standards, 31 athletes are selected through rankings for the 400 metres. Dharshana is yet yo enter rankings to be eligible for the World Championships.
Sri Lanka Athletics will field Dharshana, Kalinga Kumarage, S.B.R. Madushan and Sadew Rajakaruna for the relay event in April.
by Reemus Fernando
Defence Services Beach Volleyball Championship 2025 was held from March 12 to 14 at the SLAF beach volleyball courts, Katunayake. During the finals SLAF Men’s team defeated SL Army (2-0) while the SL Navy Women’s team defeated SLAF Women’s team (2-0). Incidentally is the seventh Defence Services Beach Volleyball title won by the SLAF Men’s Team.
Base Commander SLAF Base Katunayake AVM Dhammika Dias graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Chairman of SLAF Volleyball, Group Captain Milinda Mendis, Senior Officers from SL Army and Navy were also present for the finals.
The Central Province Badminton Association (CPBA) is now accepting entries for one of Sri Lanka’s most anticipated badminton competitions, the Summer Season All-Island Open Championships 2025, which will be staged at the Municipal Council Indoor Stadium in Nuwara Eliya from April 21 to 27.
The highly followed seven-day annual badminton tournament, held during the Nuwara Eliya April Holiday Season, is known to attract Sri Lanka’s top ranked shuttlers. The National Ranking Level 1 competition, sanctioned by Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB), is one of the key sporting attractions of Nuwara Eliya during April every year, known to generate increasing public interest.
The championship will feature a wide range of events from Under-11 to Under-19 in the Junior category and Over-30 to Over-70 in the Senior category, with an addition of three Combined Age segment of 100+. The main attraction of the competition will be the Open events comprising Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles, with an addition of a Plate Championship for the losers in Men’s and Women’s Singles.
The opening ceremony will take place on April 21st at 9:00am, followed by the preliminary rounds, leading up to the climax on April 26 with the quarter-finals and semi-finals. The excitement will continue on April 27 with the highly anticipated semi-finals and final matches, followed by the Closing Ceremony to mark the culmination of this championship.
The main draw seeding will be determined based on SLB Ranking as of April 13, followed by the draw on April 16 at 11:00am at No.2, Cambridge Terrace, Colombo 7. Entries will close on April 10 at noon. Entries can be submitted online or by contacting Sadeesha Adithya on 0761759017 and further details of the tournament are available in the prospectus published in the SLB website.
A total prize money of Rs.750,000 for all events based on the number of entries will be on offer, in addition to trophies, medals and certificates guaranteed for winners, runners-up and semi-finalists of each event of the tournament. Junior winners will receive appropriate gifts instead of prize money, according to a decision taken by the tournament organisers. The tournament is sponsored by Mobil, Li Ning, McFoil, 3M and GAC.
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