Sports
Kamindu and Chamari take top honours at glittering SLC Awards Night
It was a night to remember and cricketing nostalgia as the annual Sri Lanka Cricket Awards returned with a bang at the opulent City of Dreams resort in Colombo. After a lull that saw the event hit a bit of a dead patch, the gala was revived in grand style, thanks to the partnership of real estate giant Home Lands.
The who’s who of Sri Lankan cricket turned up – past legends, club delegates, selectors, coaches, international and club cricketers and sporting icons from across the board. Over the course of three lively hours, the cricketing fraternity celebrated those who had left their mark on the game, both at home and abroad.
Chamari Atapattu, the bedrock of Sri Lanka’s women’s team, swept six international awards including Cricketer of the Year.
While several young entertainers kept the crowd on their toes, it was the evergreen Rookantha Gunathilaka who hit all the right notes — proving that class, like form, is permanent. His performance, much like a vintage innings under pressure, stole the spotlight and the hearts of the audience.
Chief Guest and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage struck a patriotic chord, expressing his dream of seeing Sri Lanka lift another World Cup. He reserved special praise for Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya, whose stewardship has brought about a spirited resurgence in the national setup.
SLC President Shammi Silva commended the award winners and paid tribute to their commitment in restoring Sri Lanka’s reputation as a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.
Chandra Schafter, the oldest living Ceylonese cricketer, was honoured for his lifelong commitment to the sport.
A particularly touching segment of the evening was the felicitation of four stalwarts whose contributions to cricket have stood the test of time. Chandra Schafter, the oldest living Ceylonese cricketer, was honoured for his enduring legacy. Stanley Jayasinghe, a trailblazer who played county cricket for Leicestershire well before Sri Lanka earned Test status, was lauded for his path-breaking role. Ranjith Fernando, a member of the 1975 World Cup squad and a fine wicketkeeper in his day, was also recognized — not just as a player but as a coach and manager who passed on his wisdom to the next generation. Janaka Pathirana, the heartbeat of Kandy cricket, was saluted for his tireless service to the game in the Central Province.
When it came to the star performers of the present, two names stood head and shoulders above the rest. Kamindu Mendis, the ambidextrous marvel who wielded the willow with finesse across continents in 2024, was crowned Men’s Cricketer of the Year. He was in the runs all year round, compiling fifties and hundreds with a cool head and a straight bat.
Meanwhile, Chamari Atapattu, the undisputed queen of Sri Lankan women’s cricket, had the scoreboard ticking like a slot machine. She didn’t just raise the bar — she smashed through the glass ceiling. Chamari pocketed six of the seven women’s international awards on offer, a feat that confirms her status as the linchpin of the national side.
Stanley Jayasinghe, one of Sri Lanka’s earliest county professionals, was recognized for his pioneering achievements
Match officials too got their due, with top-performing umpires and referees applauded — a welcome move that sends a strong message encouraging others to take up the professions.
Veteran scribes Prince Gunasekara and Prasanna Sanjeewa Thennakoon were conferred Lifetime Achievement Awards, a nod to their decades-long innings behind the scenes.
Adding weight to the occasion was the presence of former maestro Aravinda de Silva. He was joined by ex-SLC chief Thilanga Sumathipala.
Indeed, 2024 was a comeback year worth toasting. Having hit rock bottom with a forgettable World Cup campaign in 2023 — finishing eighth and missing out on the Champions Trophy — Sri Lanka bounced back like a ball with extra zip off the pitch. Series wins over Australia and India in the ODIs were statement victories, propelling the team to No. 4 in the ICC rankings. Add to that a hard-earned Test win in England after a decade and suddenly, Sri Lanka were back in the hunt for a World Test Championship final berth as the year drew to a close.
by Rex Clementine
Pathum Nissanka produced a career-best 187 to anchor Sri Lanka’s spirited reply on day three of the first Test against Bangladesh in Galle on Thursday, guiding the hosts to a commanding 368 for four at stumps.
Sri Lanka still trail by 127 runs, but with wickets in hand and a placid pitch beneath their feet, the momentum appears to be tilting in the hosts’ favour.
On a surface that has offered little to the bowlers, Nissanka made hay while the sun shone, unleashing an array of strokes that left the Bangladesh attack chasing leather. The right-hander peppered the off-side with exquisite drives and was equally adept square of the wicket, cutting and pulling with authority to force the field back.
The 27-year-old had been under the pump coming into the match, having managed just one half-century in nine innings since his heroic ton at The Oval last year against England. But there was no stopping him this time, as he cashed in on a batter-friendly deck to silence critics and steady Sri Lanka’s ship.
Having first made waves with a century on debut in the Caribbean four years ago, Nissanka’s red-ball career has been sporadic, punctuated by injuries. But since August last year, he has carved out a regular spot in the Test side, though recurring back niggles have occasionally sidelined him.
Nissanka was cruising towards a maiden double hundred when he was castled by Hasan Mahmud with the second new ball — bowled through the gate in classic fashion. His knock, laced with 23 fours and a six, was a timely reminder of his pedigree and poise at the crease.
He put on 47 for the opening wicket with debutant Lahiru Udara, before adding a crucial 157 runs with Dinesh Chandimal for the second wicket. Chandimal, who looked set for a big score, fell against the run of play, flicking one to leg slip to give Bangladesh a much-needed breakthrough.
Angelo Mathews, walking out to bat in his farewell Test amidst a guard of honour from the opposition, joined Nissanka in a stand worth 89. The veteran looked composed until he feathered a catch behind off part-time spinner Mominul Haque for 39.
Though Nissanka stole the limelight, the most assured batter at the crease by day’s end was Kamindu Mendis. The left-hander was a picture of composure, using his feet to good effect against the spinners and rotating strike with ease. He remained unbeaten on 37, with skipper Dhananjaya de Silva on 17, as Sri Lanka ended the day with plenty still in the tank.
Earlier in the morning, Bangladesh added just nine runs to their overnight total before being dismissed for 495. Asitha Fernando mopped up the tail, finishing with four wickets as the tourists lost their last six wickets for just 37 runs — a collapse that handed Sri Lanka the opening to claw back into the contest.
Rex Clementine ✍️
in Galle
Sri Lanka will field seven cueists including champions Irshath Thaha and Susantha Boteju when the country hosts the Asian 6 Red and Team Snooker Championship 2025 at the Moors Sports Club billiards table in Colombo from June 22.
The seven-day championship is hosted by Billiard and Snooker Association of Sri Lanka (BSASL) under the auspices of the Asian Confederations of Billiard Sports (ACBS).
Irshath Thaha and Susantha Boteju are joined by Mohamed Rikaz, Dhanushka Puwakgolla, Mohamed Musharaff, Mohamed Mubeen, and Thiyagarajah Thanji to vie for honours
The seven day championship due to end on June 28 will see the participation of 17 countries namely Kuwait, Hong Kong China, China, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Cambodia, Macau, Qatar, Singapore, Iraq and host Sri Lanka.
The regional event will see the participation of over 50 cueists and will showcase the action of past and present world champions giving the snooker fans a rare opportunity to witness the top notch players in action. The championship will be played over six tables and action will begin for the day from 10.00 a.m. each day with five sessions planned to be conducted.
The players will clash for two titles the Asian 6 Red which is an individual event and the Team championship that will be contested between two players from each country.
At the last edition of the tournament which was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last year, Awais Muneer of Pakistan clinched the men’s singles 6 Red event and Team Thailand emerged the team champions. They will be looking to retain the titles.
The tournament will give the emerging and established players the much needed exposure and gain valuable international experience and an opportunity to showcase their talent.
Sri Lanka did well to reach the finals of the Billie Jean King Cup Asia Oceania Group III tournament as the hosts recorded a 3-0 win over Nepal at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association clay courts on Thursday.
Sri Lanka are set to meet Turkmenistan in the final today, after the latter beat Pakistan in their encounter.
In the first singels match Akeesha Silva beat Shivali Gurung 7-7, 7-6 before Dinara de Silva beat Abhllasha Bista 6-4, 6-2.
Inuki Jayaweera and Tuwini de Alwis made it three wins in a row by beating Shivali Gurung and Abhilasha Bista 6-4, 1-6, 10-5.
The winners of today’s final will be promoted to Group II.
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- Inuki Jayaweera and Tuwini de Alwis
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- Akeesha Silva (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)
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