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Lekamge, Gayanthika reach qualifying standards for Asian Games

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Dilhani Lekamge (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi

by Reemus Fernando

Thrower Dilhani Lekamge and middle distance runner Gayanthika Abeyratne reached qualifying standards for the Asian Games as they came almost closer to matching their personal best performances in their respective events at the Sri Lanka Athletics conducted selection trial for three major Asian track and field events at Diyagama on Tuesday.

Lekamge hurled the javelin to a distance of 58.87 metres to reach the locally set qualifying standard of 58 metres as she come closer to her personal best (59.41 m) achieved in 2022. She was the only athlete to reach the qualifying standard for the quadrennial games in the events held in the morning.

Abeyratne who skipped the 800 metres in the morning came up with a 4:12.05 seconds feat in the women’s 1500 metres held in the afternoon to tick her ticket to the Asian Games starting in five months’ time in Hangzhou, China.

There were no big-name athletes smashing records and the much-anticipated showdown between current and former national record holders in 110 metres hurdles did not take place after the current record holder pulled out in the eleventh hour. But there were moments to cherish as a number of athletes achieved their personal best feats and seasonal best performances.

Gayanthika Abeyratne

The most exciting of them all was the personal bests achieved by 400 metres specialists Nadeesha Ramanayake and Rajitha Rajakaruna. Ramanayake who holds the national record in the women’s 4×400 metres clocked 52.80 to produce her personal best. The southerner is now the third fastest 400 metres sprinter in history as she overtook Menaka Wickramasinghe (52.93) to secure a place behind Olympian Damayanthi Dharsha and former national champion Chandrika Subashini.

Despite the absence of the two leading sprinters Kalinga Kumarage and Aruna Dharshana the rest of the field delivered something to cherish in the men’s 400 metres. Rajakaruna produced a late surge to win ahead of Pabasara Niku and Pasindu Kodikara. He clocked 46.20 seconds, while Niku (46.55), Kodikara (46.70) and fourth-placed Dinuka Deshan (46.91) all came up with sub 47 seconds feats. With the two leading sprinters not featuring in this meet, the performances of these athletes will compel selectors to include a 4×400 metres team for both the Asian Games and the Senior Asian Athletics Championships.

In sprint events Rumeshika Ratnayake, country’s fourth fastest woman over the 200 metres produced a sub 24 seconds feat after five years and came within 42 milliseconds of the qualifying mark in the 200 metres before winning the 100 metres in a time of 11.96 seconds running to a headwind of -1.6.

Sarangi Silva had a winning jump measured at 6.42 metres. It was just seven centimeter short of the qualifying standards.

Official results of most of the events held in the afternoon were not available when this edition went to press.



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Clash of the Sisters set for October 4

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Past students of eight schools will come together in the inaugural 'Clash of the Sisters.'

The St. Lawrence’s Convent Past Pupils Association will bring together former students from several leading schools for a day of cricket and camaraderie when the ‘Clash of the Sisters ’26’ takes place at the Wesley College Grounds, Campbell Park, on Sunday, October 4.

The tournament will feature a series of fast-paced 10-over softball cricket matches, with past pupils renewing old friendships while representing their respective schools in a spirit of friendly rivalry.

The women’s competition will feature teams representing St. Lawrence’s Convent, St. Bridget’s Convent, Holy Family Convent, St. Anne’s BMV Wattala, Ave Maria Convent Negombo, Ladies’ College, Musaeus College and Methodist College.

A men’s invitational exhibition match will also be staged, with the Old Wesleyites Sports Club taking on the S. Thomas’ College OBA.

Organisers are also planning a carnival atmosphere away from the cricket, with food stalls, games, entertainment and other activities lined up for alumni, families and visitors.

The event is being organised by the St. Lawrence’s Convent Past Pupils Association 2026/27 with the aim of bringing together different alumni communities and strengthening ties between past pupils through sport.

With eight schools involved in the women’s competition and an exhibition fixture adding further interest, organisers expect the event to provide a lively mix of cricket, fellowship and school spirit.

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Play cricket with passion, Madugalle tells youngsters

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Ranjan Madugalle delivering the key note address

by Rex Clementine

Former Sri Lanka captain Ranjan Madugalle urged the next generation of cricketers to wear the national colours with passion and pride, reminding youngsters that there is no greater honour in the game than representing their country.

The ICC’s Chief Match Referee was speaking at a ceremony at the P. Sara Oval where Tamil Union’s players and coaching staff were felicitated following their triumph in the domestic T-20 competition a fortnight ago.

“I hear that four players from this team will be travelling to Japan tomorrow to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Games. That’s a very good achievement for any club and I urge you to play with passion and be committed. There is no bigger honour than representing your country,” Madugalle said.

Madugalle, who charmed cricket lovers with his elegant stroke play during his playing days, held the gathering spellbound with an eloquent address that also took him on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

“I have many fond memories of P. Sara Oval. I walked into this ground as an 11-year-old to watch the Royal-Thomian. I played our inaugural Test here, but above all, my most memorable moment at this ground was when we won our maiden Test against India in 1985.”

The P. Sara Oval occupies a special place in Sri Lankan cricket history. It hosted the country’s inaugural Test against England in 1982 and, three years later, the island’s maiden Test victory when Sri Lanka stunned India.

Madugalle also paid tribute to several Tamil Union stalwarts who had played an influential role in his cricketing journey.

“This club has several stalwarts of the game and there are three people I looked up to. One was Sathi Coomaraswamy, who invited me into the dressing room when I was a kid and ignited the passion in me for the game. Then, of course, there are other gentlemen like Chandra Schaffter and T. Murugaser, who were managers when I was representing the Sri Lankan team.”

Madugalle, a former Head Prefect of Royal College, received a prolonged ovation at the conclusion of his address. Also present was another former Royal Head Prefect, Eran Wickramaratne, who represented Tamil Union in First Class cricket and currently heads Sri Lanka Cricket.

Tamil Union’s championship winning players and coaching staff were felicitated during the ceremony, while club patron Chandra Schaffter made a personal donation of Rs. 1.5 million to the players.

SLC officials, Tamil Union members and several former presidents of the club, including S. Skandakumar, Dinal Philips, A.R. Rasiah, Selva Perumal, Kandos Kandasamy and N. Vasanthakumar, were among those present.

Tamil Union enjoyed a remarkable run in this season’s T-20 competition, winning nine matches on the trot before overcoming SSC in the final. The side was captained by wicketkeeper batter Minod Bhanuka.

The club had further reason to celebrate with four of its playersl Tharindu Rathnayake, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Binura Fernando and Sineth Jayawardene selected to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Games in Japan.

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Mosvold Martinus Foundation Challenge Trophy on October 4

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Connaissance de Ceylan will be looking to defend their title

Mosvold Sri Lanka, whose portfolio includes Mosvold Villa Ahangama and Sundara by Mosvold Balapitiya, will stage the second edition of the Mosvold Sixes in partnership with the Mosvold Martinus Foundation on Sunday, 4th October 2026, at the Colombo Malay Cricket Club.

The six a side softball cricket tournament brings together twenty destination management companies from across the travel trade for a day of competition, networking and celebration ahead of the industry’s busiest months.

Play runs from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM, with food and beer available throughout the day. Once the final match is done, the tournament moves into an evening of live music and an after party for players and guests.

Now in its second year, the Mosvold Sixes began as a way to bring the travel trade together as a season opener, a chance for agents, suppliers and partners to network, play cricket and unwind before the season ahead gets busy. Mosvold Sri Lanka says the longer term goal is to widen the tournament to foreign agents, giving international partners a firsthand look at how the local trade works, plays and welcomes visitors.

The tournament trophy, the Mosvold Martinus Foundation Challenge Trophy, is named after the Foundation by design. Giving back sits at the centre of the event, and the Foundation’s work spans education, women and community upliftment.

Twenty DMCs have confirmed for this year’s tournament: Tangerine Tours, Sri Lanka Tailormade, Olanka Travels, Antiquity Sri Lanka, Travel Trends Leisure, House of Travels & Tourism, NKAR Travels & Tours, Jetwing Travels, Walkers Tours, Connaissance de Ceylan, Delux Holidays, Ceylon Roots, Spiceland Holidays, Infinity Vacations, Tropiculture, Serene Travels, Authenticities, Red Apple Travel & Holidays Lanka, DTH Travel Lanka and Ceylon Tours.

Connaissance de Ceylan enters as the defending champions, having won the inaugural tournament last year.

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