Sports

DSI schools volleyball championship a resoundingsuccess

Published

4 months ago

2025/11/26

The 23rd DSI Supersport Schools Volleyball Championship concluded successfully, celebrating the remarkable talent and enthusiasm for volleyball among young athletes.

Held on the 15 and 16 November 2025 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s No. 1 footwear brand partnered with the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation and the Schools’ Volleyball Association of the Education Ministry to organise this prestigious tournament, which holds a significant place in the history of the sport.

Over 3,000 teams from across the island participated in this year’s tournament.

The tournament’s overall performance was marked by strong showings from several schools across multiple age groups. Dhammissara National School, Naththandiya and Rajasinghe Vidyalaya, Ruwanwella, led the medal count, each securing two Championship titles.

Dhammissara NS dominated the girls’ junior categories (U11 Girls and U13 Girls), while Rajasinghe Vidyalaya swept the boys’ senior categories (U17 Boys and U19 Boys). Other champions included Elpitiya Primary School, Elpitiya (U11 Boys), Dharmapala Central College, Eheliyagoda (U13 Boys), President’s National School, Naththandiya (U15 Girls), St. Mary’s College, Chilaw (U15 Boys), Vijayaba Vidyalaya, Mahawa (U17 Girls) and Vijayaba National School, Hungama (U19 Girls).

In the Under 11 Girls’ category, Dhammissara National School, Naththandiya, won the title, followed by Dukkannawa Junior College, Naththandiya (Runner-up) and Reggie Ranathunga Vidyalaya, Minuwangoda (Third Place). The Under 11 Boys’ title went to Elpitiya Primary School, Elpitiya, with Gamini National School, Bentota as the runner-up and Dhammissara Central College, Naththandiya taking third place.

For the Under 13 Girls’, Dhammissara National School, Naththandiya, secured another title, with Wikramashila National School, Giriulla as runner-up and Sri Rahula Vidyalaya in third place. The Under 13 Boys’ championship was claimed by Dharmapala Central College, Eheliyagoda, followed by Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa (Runner-up) and Maris Stella College, Negombo (Third Place).

The Under 15 Girls’ champion was President’s National School, Naththandiya, with Mabima Vidyakara Maha Vidyalaya as runner-up and St. Anthony’s Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya, Panadura finishing third. The Under 15 Boys’ champion was St. Mary’s College, Chilaw, defeating Dharmapala Central College, Eheliyagoda (Runner-up), while Rajasinghe Central College, Ruwanwella took third place.

In the senior categories, Vijayaba Vidyalaya, Mahawa, clinched the Under 17 Girls’ championship, with Vijayaba National School, Hungama as runner-up and Kehelumulla Maha Vidyalaya in third place. The Under 17 Boys’ title went to Rajasinghe Vidyalaya, Ruwanwella, with Walasmulla National School, Hambantota as runner-up and Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Eheliyagoda in third place.

The Under 19 Girls’ championship was won by Vijayaba National School, Hungama, who beat Rajasinghe Central College, Ruwanwella (Runner-up), with Gemunu Central Maha Vidyalaya, Ingiridawula finishing third.

Finally, the Under 19 Boys’ championship was claimed by Rajasinghe Vidyalaya, Ruwanwella, with President’s College, Naththandiya as runner-up and Loyola College, Negombo in third place.

Individual player excellence was a highlight of the tournament with several players receiving multiple accolades. The most prestigious “Player of the Year” awards went to Pawani Pabasara of Vijayaba National School, Hungama (U19 Girls) and K. M. V. C. Wijewickrama of Rajasinghe Vidyalaya, Ruwanwella (U19 Boys), who also won Best Player in their respective U19 categories.

Dhammissara National School, Naththandiya, saw Shaini Madahashini (Best Player, U11 Girls) and Yensadi Imaya (Best Player and Best Attacker, U13 Girls) excel in the junior girls’ divisions.

Other top honours included Hansaja Didula Bandara of St. Mary’s College, Chilaw, who won both Best Player and Best Attacker for U15 Boys; Mandara Maheshi of President’s National School, Naththandiya, who was named Best Player and Best Blocker for U15 Girls; and G. R. J. H. A. Gunawardhana (Best Player, U17 Boys) and L. R. C. Liyanage (Best Setter, U19 Boys) of Rajasinghe Vidyalaya, Ruwanwella.

Notably, St. Mary’s College, Chilaw, swept all six individual awards in the U15 Boys’ category, while Vijayaba National School, Hungama, swept six of the seven U19 Girls’ individual awards, affirming their dominance.

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Heat Index likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

11 mins ago

2026/03/29

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 28 March 2026, valid for 29March 2026.

Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Tharanga shatters national javelin record again ‎

Published

24 mins ago

2026/03/29

Priyan

(File pic)

Rumesh Tharanga created history with yet another world leading throw that shattered his own national javelin record at the Champions Track and Field event at Diyagama on Saturday.

‎The massive 89.37 metres throw, when recognized by World Athletics is set to become the fourth furthest throw in the history of the Asian region.

‎Despite little competion from his rivals, Tharanga rose like a champion of an entirely different league when he delivered the record breaking feat in his final attempt.

‎Tharanga had a world leading mark of 83.07 metres for the year coming into this meet. His national record of 86.50 metres was from August 2025. (RF)

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Woods charged with driving under influence after crash

Published

20 hours ago

2026/03/28

Priyan

iger Woods was fortunate to escape with his life from this 2021 crash near Los Angeles [BBC]

Tiger Woods has been charged with driving under the influence after rolling his car in a crash in Florida, police have confirmed.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said the 15-time major champion was also charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.

Woods, 50, rolled his Land Rover after clipping a pressure cleaner truck while trying to overtake it at “a high rate of speed”, according to Sheriff John Budensiek.

The golfer, who had to crawl out of the passenger door of his vehicle, passed a breathalyser test after the crash but refused a urine test.

No-one sustained any injuries in the incident which took place on Beach Road in Jupiter Island just before 14:00 local time on Friday (about 19:00 GMT).

Sheriff Budensiek told a news conference: “The DUI investigators came to the scene and Mr Woods did exemplify signs of impairment.

“They did several tests on him. He did explain the injuries and surgeries that he’s had and we did take that into account, but they did some in-depth roadside tests.

“When it was determined, he was placed under arrest and taken to the Martin County jail.

“At the Martin County jail, and even on scene, we were really not suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case and that proved to be true.

“Mr Woods did a breathalyser test with triple zeros, but when it came time for us to ask for a urinary analysis test, he refused.”

Budensiek also said Woods had been “co-operative but was trying not to incriminate himself”.

“He has a right to refuse that test,” added the sheriff. “There is a statute which he will be charged with for refusing to take that test, but we will never get definitive results as to what he was impaired on at the time of the crash.”

US president Donald Trump was asked about the crash on Friday, saying: “I feel so badly. [Woods has] got some difficulty. There was an accident. That’s all I know.

“He’s a very close friend of mine, he’s an amazing person, an amazing man.”

Sheriff Budensiek said Woods would remain in jail for eight hours then be released on bond. The charges are misdemeanours, not felonies.

The BBC has contacted the golfer’s representatives for comment.

This is not the first time Woods has been involved in a car accident – he has played a limited schedule since the serious crash in 2021 that left him with extensive injuries and fortunate to be alive.

In 2017 police officers also found him slumped at the wheel of his parked Mercedes-Benz not far from his Florida home.

A toxicology report found Woods had several legal medications in his system and marijuana’s active ingredient, and he was sentenced to a year’s probation after pleading guilty to reckless driving.

In 2009 Woods hit a fire hydrant, a tree, and several hedges in a bizarre collision outside his home.

The incident sparked accusations of extramarital affairs which led to the end of his seven-year marriage and the loss of lucrative sponsorship deals.

[BBC]