Sports

Nilani’s chances and the importance of quality competition

Published

5 years ago

2021/06/20

by Reemus Fernando

It will be an anxious few days for country’s number one long distance runner Nilani Ratnayake as the Tokyo Olympic qualification deadline looms. For a better part of the last two years Ratnayake was country’s highest ranked athlete in the ‘Road to Olympic Rankings’. In the Asian Rankings she was only second to Winfred Mutile Yavi of Bahrain in her pet event, the 3,000 metres steeplechase. In the ‘Road to Olympic Rankings she was well within the required rankings to earn the ticket to Tokyo. But two weeks ahead of the Olympic qualification deadline she has dropped to the 39th position. But that is not due to a lack of commitment or form but due to things beyond her control.

Lack of quality competitions to compensate solid training regimens has been a problem ailing country’s progress in track and field. Though experts, mostly the former athletes and Olympians who had benefited from overseas training and competitions, have repeatedly highlighted the need to provide quality competitions for local athletes, they have often fell on deaf ears. The World Athletics’ world ranking system, which heavily favours top grade competitions, requires athletes seeking top rankings to compete in such championships. An athlete seeking Olympic qualification has to excel at top competitions if he or she is to realize the dream of competing at the quadrennial event.

The Covid 19 pandemic has dealt a severe blow to the aspirations of country’s Olympic hopefuls in the track and field sport as they have been deprived of quality competitions to improve their rankings. The Asian Athletics Championship did not take place due to the pandemic and many other regional competitions also did not see the light of day due to the same reason.

In a desperate move Sri Lanka Athletics tried to send their top athletes for a meet in Kazakhstan but lack of interest from the part of organizers in helping visa proceedings derailed the plan. The Indian Track and Field authorities have extended an invitation to their Sri Lankan counterparts to field a team for their Inter State meet starting on June 25 but the tour was still doubtful when this article went to press.

The US based high jumper Ushan Thivanka climbed up the world rankings in dramatic fashion during the last few months. But he is stranded in the 52nd position in the Road to Olympic Rankings due to unavailability of competitions. Thivanka has a seasonal best of 2.30 metres, his new Sri Lanka record, but needs to clear 2.33 metres or reach a ranking position of 32 if he is to compete in Olympics.

There are others. Rio Olympic participant Sumeda Ranasinghe is currently ranked 48th in the Road to Olympic Rankings, middle distance runner Nimali Liyanarachchi is ranked 55th, just seven ranking positions behind the selection mark and sprinter Nadeesha Ramanayake is ranked 56th and needs to climb just eight positions up if she is to realize her dream.

Now take the case of Italy based sprinter Yupun Abeykoon. He needed just a single Diamond League Competition last week to overtake more than thirty athletes and secure a position among the top 50 athletes in the world rankings. He was placed fourth there. He is now almost certain of his participation in the Olympics as he has couple of more competitions to maintain his rankings.

It is no simple task to secure a position among the top 100 athletes in the world. There are other local athletes who have secured positions among the top 100 athletes in the world in their respective disciplines despite not taking part in quality international competitions. They have toiled hard for years to reach where they are and with the hope of doing their best this year. They will feel hard done by as hopes of reaching qualifying standards diminish due to lack of competitions.

Nilani Ratnayake’s chances of competing in Tokyo will depend on the performances of her rivals who are ranked below her during the next week. Ratnayake last competed in an international event in 2019. She needs to remain within the top 48 athletes in world rankings by June 29 if she is to take part.

True that the Covid 19 pandemic was responsible for the lost opportunities that denied chances of improving world rankings but it is incumbent upon authorities to realize the value of making available quality competitions for deserving athletes.

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Sports

Sri Lanka World Cup games uninterrupted despite cyclone and flooding

Published

3 hours ago

2025/12/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Pallekele Stadium in Kandy all set for World Cup fixtures.

Sri Lanka’s share of the T20 World Cup will go ahead without disruption despite a recent cyclone and severe flooding that left large parts of the country battered and bruised.

Tournament organisers confirmed that matches scheduled in the island nation will proceed as planned, with Sri Lanka co-hosting the sport’s showpiece event alongside India. Three venues in Sri Lanka will stage games during the competition.

Sri Lanka is set to host 20 of the 55 matches in the tournament. Should Pakistan advance deep into the competition, the island will also stage a semi-final and the final, as Pakistan are unable to travel to India due to long-standing political tensions between the neighbours.

On November 27, cyclonic storm Ditwah swept across Sri Lanka and several other South-East Asian countries, bringing daily life to a grinding halt. Flooding and landslides claimed at least 634 lives, with more than 200 deaths reported in the central city of Kandy.

A recent inspection of facilities in Kandy, however, allayed fears, with authorities giving the ground the all-clear after confirming that damage was minimal.

“We are happy with the progress we have made and it is going to be a superb event,” an official involved in inspecting the Pallekele Stadium told Telecom Asia Sport. “Sri Lanka has hosted ICC events before with great success and we have no doubt this tournament will be another feather in our cap. Kandy has been cleared, as have the other two venues.”

Work is also nearing completion at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club ground, where floodlights are being installed ahead of five scheduled matches. The capital’s R. Premadasa Stadium will host the bulk of the fixtures, including the blockbuster India–Pakistan clash on February 15.

“There has been huge demand for tickets for the India–Pakistan game,” the official said. “We expect a surge of tourists into Colombo around that fixture, which will provide a significant boost to the economy. Travel companies have already rolled out special packages and we anticipate full houses for several marquee games. India–Pakistan is the main attraction, no doubt, but matches like Sri Lanka versus Australia are also keenly awaited.”

Sri Lanka recently staged several Women’s World Cup matches, some of which were affected by rain. Organisers, however, are confident the weather will stay out of the contest this time, with February and March traditionally dry months in both Colombo and Kandy. (www.telecomasia.net)

Sports

Maliban biscuits partners Yevan David as Sri Lanka enters Formula 3 history

Published

3 hours ago

2025/12/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Maliban Biscuits has announced a partnership with rising motorsport talent Yevan David, as he prepares to compete on the international stage in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship.

At just 18, Yevan has emerged as one of Asia’s fastest-rising drivers, competing across some of Europe’s toughest circuits and creating history as the first Sri Lankan to race in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. This partnership brings together a young athlete redefining what’s possible for Sri Lanka in global motorsport and a homegrown brand that has consistently backed Sri Lankan ambition on the field, on the track, and beyond.

Yevan’s racing story began in go-karts, starting with early laps at the Sri Lanka Karting Circuit before moving into competitive karting in Singapore, where he quickly started stacking international results, including winning the IAME Asia Series (X30 Cadet) and the X30 Asia Cup. After graduating from karts, he stepped into single-seaters in 2024 across UAE F4, Spanish F4 and Eurocup-3, then announced himself in Europe by winning twice on his Euroformula Open debut weekend at Monza. In 2025, he underlined that momentum by taking the Euroformula Open Rookie title and finishing second overall, cementing his status as one of the most compelling young talents to emerge from Sri Lanka onto the global grid.

Commenting on the partnership, Yevan David said:

“Partnering with Maliban means a lot to me. They’ve supported Sri Lankan sport for generations, so having them beside me as I take this next step feels special. I’m proud to carry our flag forward with a brand that believes in our country’s potential as much as I do.”

Over the years, the brand has stood firmly behind Sri Lanka’s sporting journey across every level of competition, supporting the New Zealand U85kg Rugby Tour of Sri Lanka on the international stage, strengthening hockey at school level, backing the Sri Lanka U19 Women’s Cricket Team, supporting the U20 Men’s and Women’s rugby teams, championing Sri Lanka Rugby at the Asia Rugby Qualifiers and powering the Inter Club Rugby League and Clifford Cup Knockout Championship 2025/2026. This continued investment reflects a long-term commitment to building opportunity, confidence, and national pride through sport.

With Maliban’s support, Yevan’s journey to the FIA Formula 3 grid becomes more than an individual milestone, it becomes a national statement of belief and progress. Together, Maliban and Yevan will carry Sri Lanka’s flag into every corner, every lap, and every finish line he chases in 2026.

Sports

Lumbini collapse after strong start

Published

3 hours ago

2025/12/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Lumbini were strongly placed after Nikil Abilash and Kisandu Dulneth put on a first wicket stand of 128 runs in reply to Isipatana’s 190, but a sudden collapse saw them end day one at 144 for five wickets in the Under 19 traditional encounter at Colts ground.

‎At Campbell Park, spinner Chaniru Senarathne produced figures 22-3-55-5 for Trinity in the traditional encounter against Wesley.

‎In an Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket enountet at Bambalapitiya Savi Fernando and Asadisa de Silva put on an unbeaten 90 runs stand for the second wicket to help St. Peter’s reach 93 for one wicket at stumps in reply to DS Senanayake’s 241 on day one.

‎Asadisa was unbeaten on 53 after having faced 98 balls for his knock which included five fours and a six.

Match Scores

‎‎DSS 241, St. Peter’s 93/1 at Bambalapitiya

‎Scores

‎DSS

241 all out in 58.5 overs (Bihan Gamage 40, Shevan Welgama 66, Randisha Bandaranaike 29, Chithum Baddage 27; Sadeesha Silva 2/62, Janith Panditharathna 3/77)

‎St. Peter’s

93 for 1 in 33 overs (Savi Fernando 32n.o., Asadisa de Silva 53n.o.)

‎

‎Wesley 200/9 decl., Trinity 40/1 at Campbell Park

‎‎Scores

‎Wesley 200 for 9 decl. in 78 overs (Rasheed Nahyan 43, Rashmika Amararathne 36, Methnula Mayadunna 37n.o.; Chaniru Senarathne 5/55)

‎Trinity

40 for 1 in 15 overs

‎

‎Isipatana 190, Lumbini 144/5 at Colts

‎‎Scores

‎Isipatana 190 all out in 57 overs (Navidu Umeth 33, Yuveen Keshan 48, Janith Selaka 54; Yashod Kavindu 4/57, Dinal Sewmina 2/10)