Sports
Luck helps Pushpakumari bag bronze at Asian Boxing Championships
Pushpakumari won the bronze by virtue of her presence in the semi-final. She was eliminated by two-time world champion Nazym Kyzaibay.
Luck helped Nadeeka Pushpakumari bag a bronze medal at the Asian Elite Men and Women Boxing Championship held in Dubai as the draw secured her a bye in the quarter-final of the women’s fly weight (51kg) category.
With only six participating in the fly weight (51kg) category the draw was crucial in deciding the bronze medallists. You need to secure a semi-final berth to win a bronze.
The Asian Women Boxing Championships was inaugurated in 2001 and since 2019 been amalgamated with the Asian Men Championships. So far Sri Lankan women boxers have won seven bronze medals at these championships.
The last bronze medal was won by Shiromalie Weeraratne at the 2012 Asian Championship held in Mongolia; fighting in the light welter weight.
The country was represented by four men and three women at the Asian event held from May 24 to 31. Sri Lanka did not register a single victory at this championship.
Pushpakumari won the bronze by virtue of her presence in the semi-final. She was eliminated by two-time world champion Nazym Kyzaibay. Kyzaibay went onto win the championship defeating six-time world champion Mary Kom of India in the final.
Pushpakumari also won a bronze medal at the South Asian Games held in Nepal in 2019.
Rasmika Illangarathna, who fought in the light flyweight was not so lucky despite only five boxers taking part in that weight class. While all other four boxers received byes according to the draw Rashmika was drawn to fight Gulasal Sultonalieva of Uzbekistan in the only quarter-final of that weight class. Sultonalieva went on to win the silver.
Keshani Kasthuriarachchi too was not so lucky despite only six boxers competing in the feather weight category. She was edged out in the quarter-final by eventual champion Sitora Turdibekova of Uzbekistan.
In the men’s category fly weight (11 competitors) quarter-finals, South Asian Silver medallist, Lasindu Eranda was beaten by Saken Bibossynov of Kazakhstan; the bronze medallist of AIBA World Boxing Championships. Kazakhstan boxer won a bronze medal in this weight category.
Rukmal Prasanna fought in the bantam weight (56Kg) quarter-finals after receiving a bye in the preliminary round. He was beaten by a young but experienced Junmilardo Ogayre of Philippines.
Sajeeva Nuwan Kumara (light fly – 9 boxers) and Jeewantha Wimukthi Kumara (light weight 13 boxers) also could not record victories.
Kazakhstan led the women’s medal tally in the championships by winning eight gold medals while Uzbekistan and India won one gold each. In the men’s category, Uzbekistan grabbed six gold medals out of 10 weight categories. Mongolia won three golds, while India clinched one gold medal.
The crucial Asian event was relocated from New Delhi, India to Dubai, United Arab Emirates due to the Covid 19 situation in India.
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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
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.
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)
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]
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
Tharanga shatters national javelin record again
Courtesy call by the Heads of Mission- Designate on Prime Minister
Three dead after helicopter crash in Hawaii
Woods charged with driving under influence after crash
Showers may occur at a few places in the Rathnapura, Kaluthara, Galle, and Matara districts during the evening or night
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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