Gateway College’s Under-14 netball team successfully defended their title at the TISSL Netball Tournament at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, with an inspiring display of teamwork, strategy, and determination.

Organised by Asian International School, the event saw strong competition from leading international schools across the country, but Gateway’s young athletes rose to the challenge, emerging undefeated champions for the second consecutive year.

Despite being the top seeds, Gateway was drawn into the most competitive pool: Group A, alongside formidable opponents. Undeterred, the team set the tone early by defeating Lyceum Nugegoda 8–5 and Horizon College International 7–3, topping their group with confidence and composure.

In the quarterfinals, they dominated hosts Asian International School with an emphatic 11–0 victory. The semi-final clash with Lyceum Wattala, was anticipated to be tough. However, Gateway’s well-coordinated formations and disciplined approach saw them through with a solid 8–2 win.

The final against ILMA International School proved to be a tactical and hard-fought battle. Though the final score read 8–3, it barely reflected the intensity of the encounter, with both sides showcasing high-quality netball. Gateway, however, maintained its composure to secure a well-earned victory and the championship trophy once again.

Leading the team with grace and grit was Captain Adeeba Fareen, whose leadership has been a pillar of strength throughout the tournament. Vice-Captain Shenali Wanigasekara was outstanding in defense and was rightfully named Best Defensive Player. Rayani Gunathileke, known for her relentless energy and precision, walked away with the Best Shooter award, while Griyada Hapukotuwa, consistent and dependable in every match, was crowned Netball Queen.

Coached by Jayanthi Somasekaram, Head of Sports, and assisted by Samuddhi Abeygunawardene and Achini Madhushika, this victory marks not just a championship win but a celebration of skill, spirit, and the power of teamwork.

Shenali Wanigasekara, Rayani Gunathileke and Griyada Hapukotuwa won individual awards.

Adeeba Fareen (Captain)

Rising star Ayomal Akalanka joined the sub 47 seconds club in the men’s 400 metres, young aspirant Dilni Rajapaksha bagged a meet record double and Vavuniya’s new-found endurance runner Ilango Vikirthan and St. Aloysius’ Ratnapura prodigy Lahiru Achintha made their presence felt with stunning performaces as the Junior National Athletics Championship concluded with a host of impressive feats at Diyagama on Sunday.

The Ambagamuwa Central athlete Akalanka who shattered his own national junior record in the 400 metres hurdles on Friday, reached his personal best in the 400 metres with a remarkable meet record performance of 46.46 seconds in the Under 20 final. The athlete trained by Anura Bandara was adjudged the Best Athlete in his age category and the Best Performer of the meet for his National Junior record time of 50.20 seconds in the 400 metres hurdles. Incidentally, his 50.20 seconds feat is the fastest performance in Asia this year in the junior category.

Lyceum International Wattala athlete Dilni Rajapaksha continued her record-breaking form winning the Under 16 triple jump with a new meet record distance of 11.66 m. It was the second time she improved a meet record at this meet. She broke her own records in the long jump and triple jump established last year. Her meet record of 5.96 metres in the Under 16 girls’ long jump earned her the Best Athlete title of her age category.

The day’s most remarkable finish was delivered by South Asian Junior Championship medallist Shavindu Avishka of Dhammissara National School and Lahiru Achintha who bettered the meet record in the Under 18 boys’ 1500m with a photofinish. Achintha pipped Avishka by miliseconds to write his name against the new meet record as he stopped the clock at 4:00.47 seconds.

In the corresponding girls’ event Tharushi Abisheka returned a time of 4:33.85 seconds to break her own meet record.

Lyceum International Wattala sprinter Dhananjana Fernando stood out once again in the 100 metres finishing the Under 18 girls’ event in a time of 12.08 seconds. She has been the fastest in the 100 metres even at senior national level this season and the meet record feat was something the enthusiasts were eagerly anticipating as she had clocked sub 12 seconds early this year.

Iresh Bogoda of Sir John Kothalawala College, Kurunegala excelled in the Under 18 boys’ 400 metres winning in a meet record time of 47.58 seconds.

In the girls’ 400 metres, Chenadi Dewhara Bendarage of Gamini National School, Benthota created a new meet record stopping the clock at 57.33 seconds. The fastest 400 metres performance in the girls’ category was achieved by Matara Central’s Nuhansa Kodituwakku who clocked 55.03 seconds to win the Under 20 event. That feat fetched her the Best Athlete title in the age category.

Former Nannapurawa MV athlete Madushani Herath flexed her muscles ahead of the Thailand Open with an impressive jump of 13.53 metres to win the Under 23 triple jump. She won the best athlete title in her age category. In the Under 23 men’s category, Rumesh Tharanga’s record breaking 82.93 metres throw (javelin) won him the Best Athlete award.

The final day was given a strong start by Poovarasankulam MV, Vavuniya athlete Ilango Vikirthan who clocked 15:13.25 seconds to win the Under 20 boys’ 5,000 metres. It was his third title of the meet and the third time he turned tables on athletes traning at high altitudes. His most impressive performance however was his record breaking time of 9:25.81 seconds in the Under 20 3,000metres steeplechase on day two.

by Reemus Fernando

Ilango Vikirthan from Vavunia won three golds and established a meet record in the Under 20 3,000 metres steeplechase.

Lahiru Achintha (right) pipped Shavindu Avishka to win the Under 18 boys’ 1,500 metres

Madushani Herath competes in the Under 23 triple jump

The third edition of the World Test Championship kicks off in the sweltering south with Galle set to host the curtain-raiser as Sri Lanka lock horns with Bangladesh on Tuesday. This time around, the Sri Lankans have the luxury of playing India and South Africa at home in addition to Bangladesh, while away tours to West Indies, New Zealand and Pakistan lie ahead. Its not a bad schedule at all.

In the last cycle  which came to a climax at Lords this week with Australia squaring off against South Africa in the final  Sri Lanka flirted with a spot in the big dance but ultimately fell short. Four straight losses  two in the Rainbow Nation and two in their own backyard  left them stumped. Most fans remember the defeats in Durban, Port Elizabeth and Galle, but few rewind to where it all unraveled.

It began with a home series against Pakistan in 2023, where Sri Lanka were caught napping and lost both Tests. From then on, they were playing catch-up cricket, chasing shadows instead of dictating terms.

This time, they can ill afford to hit the snooze button. In a competition where momentum is everything, its not just about starting well  its about staying in the hunt and finishing like a freight train.

After the opener in Galle, the action shifts to Colombo, with the second Test scheduled at SSC. Sri Lanka will walk in as favourites.

This series also marks a changing of the guard. Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lankas most prolific opening bat, has called time on a storied career spanning for 15 years. A rock at the top, he leaves big boots to fill. And after the first Test, Angelo Mathews  another old warhorse  will bid adieu, bringing down the curtain on a career that began in 2009.

The selection conundrum now is who slots in where. Lahiru Udara has been knocking on the door with truckloads of runs in domestic cricket, but will the selectors hand him the key or stick with Oshada Fernando, whos been warming the bench as backup opener?

Then comes the Mathews question. Who takes over the No. 4 slot, the spine of any Test side? Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha have put their hands up with strong performances for the A team, and Pawan Ratnayake is now in the mix too. Of the trio, only one will get the nod  but who has the temperament to wear that cap?

Another twist in the tale: will the replacement bat at four, or will the selectors reshuffle the deck? Kamindu Mendis, the elegant left-hander with a golden 2024 behind him, has steadily climbed the order and seems the frontrunner for that prime real estate.

Meanwhile, skipper Dhananjaya de Silva is under the pump. Hes clung onto the captaincy largely due to the absence of viable alternatives, but his leadership has lacked bite. With four straight Test losses under his belt and a batting slump thats seen him go ten games without a century, his place is under the scanner. Waiting for things to happen wont cut it anymore  its time he grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.

Sri Lanka s spin department has its own selection headache. Prabath Jayasuriya is a shoo-in, but who will partner him? Offies Nishan Peiris and Ramesh Mendis have both been given the ball  and the benefit of the doubt  but neither has nailed it. Peiris, with just three caps, still has room to grow. Mendis, on the other hand, after 16 Tests, is still struggling to bowl six balls in the same postcode.

by Rex Clementine ✍️