Sports
The curious case of Mahindananda
One of the golden vintages of Sri Lankan cricket spanned the years between 2009 and 2014. It was an era when the national side punched above its weight and danced with giants on the world stage. With stars like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralitharan and Tillakaratne Dilshan in full flow, Sri Lanka stormed into four World Cup finals, conquered new frontiers – including their first-ever series win in Australia – and stood toe-to-toe with India and England in all formats.
Behind the scenes, cricket brains like Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya chaired selection panels, while Marvan Atapattu added tactical brilliance in the coaching corner. At the helm of administration was the ever-dignified Anura Tennakoon, a former captain himself. It was a well-oiled machine taking Sri Lanka to dizzying heights.
And then there was Mahindananda Aluthgamage – the Sports Minister of the time – trying to pad up and take credit. He seemed to fancy himself a major stakeholder in Sri Lanka’s success story.
While he mostly kept his nose clean during his sports tenure despite a few no-balls, it was his later stint as Agriculture Minister that finally landed him in hot water. Last week, he was remanded in connection with the import of a questionable consignment of organic fertilizer from China in 2021. The courts will now decide whether his innings crossed the line.
Having observed him closely during his time as Sports Minister, it was clear that he was forever flirting with the line outside off stump. Known to be easily misled by opportunists whispering sweet nothings in his ear, Mahindananda often ended up wielding the axe against men who minded their own business.
Take the saga of Kumar Sangakkara – then the captain and a colossus of world cricket. Sanga was needled many times. His tipping point came in 2011 when he delivered the MCC Cowdrey Lecture at Lord’s. The speech earned a standing ovation. The late Vijaya Malalasekara, himself moved to tears, was one of many who walked away feeling proudly Sri Lankan that evening.
But not everyone was pleased. Mahindananda cherry-picked a few lines from the lecture and demanded a probe. SLC President Upali Dharmadasa was told repeatedly to call for an explanation from Sanga and either fine or suspend him. Eventually, he met Sanga over dinner. When Sangakkara inquired what penalty was in store, Upali, with a smile replied, “Just pay the dinner bill.” It was a deft stroke of statesmanship that averted an international scandal and preserved Sri Lanka’s dignity.
Ironically, Sanga would later go on to become the first non-British President of the MCC – a role Upali seemed to foresee, though it clearly eluded Mahindananda’s radar.
Mahindananda did have his moments. One of his finest came when the Hambantota stadium – planted deep in President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s electorate – was at risk of missing the ICC’s construction deadline. With the ground half-baked and time running out, Mahindananda rolled up his sleeves, camped at the site for two weeks and supervised the work with military precision. The ICC, during their second visit, gave the green light. It was a major victory and Mahindananda’s stock soared with the Rajapaksas, who until then had seen him as a Chandrika loyalist.
But that high was short-lived.
Lavish infrastructure projects – Hambantota, Pallekele and the revamped R. Premadasa – left Sri Lanka Cricket bankrupt. They couldn’t pay players, coaches, or staff. State-run entities like the Ports Authority and State Engineering Corporation, who constructed the venues, never saw their dues. In the end, the loans were written off, and the taxpayer was left to foot the bill. Mahindananda should have got into trouble then.
Worse still, just as a probe into these shady dealings was about to commence, sensitive files vanished from SLC offices and CCTV footage went missing. It was as if a ghost had pulled off a perfect heist between overs.
Then came his most outlandish delivery: claiming the 2011 World Cup final was fixed. He alleged that four last-minute changes were made to the playing XI. But the truth was far less dramatic – Sri Lanka had announced their team a full two days before the final, with all national dailies carrying it. Aravinda de Silva, then Chairman of Selectors, called for an ICC probe. The Anti-Corruption Unit led by Alex Marshall, ex-Scotland Yard, found no foul play. Mahindananda, by now short on credibility, was left with egg on his face. This newspaper in an editorial summed it up, “A bull in a China shop is less troublesome than Mahindananda.”
Under his watch, sport became a political puppet show. Elections to national sports bodies were stage-managed. Even clubs weren’t spared. Colts Cricket Club’s magnanimous president K. Mathivanan was gently nudged out to make room for a government-friendly face. Havelock SC, across the road, suffered a similar fate when it came to rugby. Mathivanan, fearing for his business, stepped aside. Others who resisted were silenced.
To be fair, not all of it was Mahindananda’s fault. Then President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s three sons had their fingers in several sporting pies and at times, the Sports Minister was merely fielding at third man, not able to call the shots.
Yet, he can’t be absolved. He filled the Cricket Board with Royal College old boys, used parliamentary privilege to sling mud at respected administrators and allowed cronies to wield undue influence. Some of those administrators still serve in sport. Mahindananda, on the other hand, is now watching the game from the sidelines – behind bars.
His mouth often moved faster than his mind. When he declared IPL players must return early for the England Test series, it sounded like music to patriotic ears. But India flexed its muscle and he was forced to backtrack. Unbeknownst to him, SLC had already granted No Objection Certificates. The Minister had no clue – a classic case of playing the wrong line.
Yet, he wasn’t all bluster. Fluent in Sinhala, Tamil and English, he mingled easily with the public, wore his Royal tie with pride and was present at nearly every funeral of a sporting figure. He burned the midnight oil for causes he believed in and these gestures did not go unnoticed.
But when you play fast and loose, take blind swings and trust the wrong dressing room whispers, the scoreboard eventually catches up. He may have escaped a few stumpings as Sports Minister, but his high-risk innings in agriculture has finally seen the bails come off.
by Rex Clementine ✍️
A former Nascar driver and his family were among the seven people killed in a plane crash at a regional airport in North Carolina, the car-racing organisation has said.
A highway patrol spokesman said people on the ground confirmed that Greg Biffle was among those who boarded the plane.
The Cessna C550 crashed while landing at Statesville Regional Airport around 10:20 local time (15:20GMT), officials investigating the incident told reporters.
“Greg was more than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many,” Nascar said in a statement where it confirmed Biffle had died along with his wife, daughter, son, and three others.
“His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport,” the company added.
Beyond the racetrack, Biffle was remembered for helping in North Carolina in the aftermath of last year’s Hurricane Helene, when he used his personal helicopter to rescue stranded residents and deliver supplies.
Tributes to the former racer poured in on Thursday.
“Heartbreaking news out of Statesville,” North Carolina Governor Josh Stein posted on X. “Beyond his success as a NASCAR driver, Greg Biffle lived a life of courage and compassion and stepped up for western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.”
Motorsport YouTuber Garrett Mitchell wrote on Facebook that Biffle and his family were on their way to spend the afternoon with him.
“Unfortunately, I can confirm Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder were on that plane… because they were on their way to spend the afternoon with us,” he wrote on Facebook. “We are devastated. I’m so sorry to share this.”
Statesville Airport Director John Ferguson described the aircraft as a corporate jet and said it was already engulfed in flames when he arrived on the scene.
The Cessna C550 aircraft is owned by a private company associated with Biffle, CBS, the BBC’s US partner, reported.
The jet took off around 10:06 local time and was in the air briefly before it crashed on the east end of the runway.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.
Statesville Airport will remain closed until further notice as crews clear debris off the runway, Mr Ferguson told reporters.
Officials did not provide any information about deaths or people aboard the aircraft during their first media conference.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the investigation has sent in a team to investigate the fatal crash.
The Statesville Regional Airport (KSVH) is owned by the City of Statesville, which is about 45 minutes north of Charlotte.
It also provides aviation facilities for Fortune 500 companies and several Nascar racing teams.
[BBC]
Oussama Tannane’s wonder goal from inside his own half set Morocco on their way to their second FIFA Arab Cup title with a 3-2 win after extra time in the final against Jordan at the Qatar-hosted event.
A full house at Lusail Stadium in Doha on Thursday was quickly on their feet in the fourth minute when Qatar-based footballer Tannane drilled an effort from well over the halfway line – estimated at 59 metres – to catch out goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila.
The Jordan keeper desperately scrambled back to his line in an attempt to stop the shot and collided with the post, resulting in a lengthy four-minute stoppage before he was cleared to continue and play resumed.
It was only the start of a turbulent final that saw Jordan come back to claim the lead, for the match to be sent to extra time, with Jordanian hearts broken seconds away from their first FIFA Arab Cup title in normal time.
Jordan, who were defeated finalists at the 2025 AFC Asian Cup, pulled level on the night three minutes into the second period when Ali Oliwan pulled away from his marker to head home from close range after a well-worked corner.
Jordan then took the lead for the first time after Mahmoud Almardi’s shot hit the raised hand of Achraf El Mahdioui inside the box, allowing Oliwan to convert from the penalty spot for his second in the 68th minute.
The drama was far from over, however, as second-half substitute Abderrazak Hamdallah levelled in the 88th minute – tapping in on the goal line after a scramble from a corner.
It was Oliwan, though, who had the chance of glory with virtually the final kick of normal time when – put clean through on goal – he was unable to beat the keeper to seal the final for Jordan with what would also have been his hat-trick.
Where many may not have taken their seats for Tannane’s opener, the same may have been the case for the start of extra time as Mohannad Abutaha volleyed a spectacular left-footed effort into the top right corner from the left edge of the box.
Like Tannane’s, it was a strike worthy of winning any final, but VAR ruled out the goal for a controversial handball as the Jordanian controlled the ball before unleashing the effort.
Worse was to follow when Hamdallah tapped in his second time – and the winning goal – after Marwane Saadane’s bicycle kick from a set piece fell kindly into his path from close range.
Morocco previously lifted the Arab Cup in 2012, defeating Libya in the final staged in Saudi Arabia. The Atlas Lions succeed Algeria, who defeated their North African neighbours Tunisia in the final four years ago.
Earlier, Morocco dominated the first period and Tannane, who plays his club football for Umm Salal in the Qatar league, had a glorious opportunity to double the lead on the stroke of half time when Abulaila spilled a cross into his path, but the forward failed to make a clean connection with his left-footed follow up and Issam Smeir slid to clear off the line.
The Jordanian stopper had to be on his feet throughout the first period and produced his best save in the 17th minute when Karim El Berkaoui, after exchanging a one-two with Tannane, drove across the face of goal from the edge of the box, but Abulaila was equal to it, low to his right, to push the effort wide.
Morocco, the first African nation to reach a World Cup semifinal when they achieved the feat at Qatar 2022, will now turn their attention to hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where the squad will be further boosted by a number of their European-based stars who had to prioritise club over country during the Arab Cup.
The FIFA Arab Cup sold more than a million tickets for the 2025 event, doubling what was sold at the previous competition four years ago.
Venura Kaveethra completed a match bag of eight wickets as Mahanama registeted an innings and 62 runs victory over Lumbini in the Under 19 Division I tier A tournament match at Mattegoda on Thursday.
It was the first outright victory for Mahanama in the tournament.
After having declared their innings on the overnight score, Mahanama bowlers did well to restrict Lumbini to 103 runs as Kaveethra picked up four wickets.
Lumbini looked better in the second innings thanks to the resistance of late order batsmen Jayanitha Mendis (8 in 65 balls) and Binuka Ranhiru (12 in 89 balls) who made them last for more than 50 overs.
The day’s other highlight was the unbeaten century scored by Aron David for S. Thomas’. The Thomians were 269 for four wickets at stumps on day one of their match against St. Servatius’ at Mount Lavinia.
Mahanama in innngs win at Mattegoda
Scores
Lumbini
63 all out in 25.2 overs (Venura Kaveethra 4/17, Geeth Sandaruwan 3/31, Thaviru Perera 2/07) and 103 all out in 54.4 overs (Kisandu Dulneth 23; Venura Kaveethra 4/17, Sithum Vihanga 3/05, Geeth Sandaruwan 2/36)
Mahanama
228 for 4 in 41 overs overnight declared (Sithum Vihanga 82, Kaushika Thilakarathne 60, Venura Kaveethra 39n.o., Sanul Weerarathne 24; Mihisara Weerasinghe 2/53)
No decision at DSS ground
Scores
DSS
234 for 7 overnight 283 for 9 in 80 overs (Mayuru Bandara 22, Janindu Ranasinghe 23, Shevan Menusha 68, Randisha Bandaranayake 41, Haamid Afdhal 53, Chithum Baddage 44n.o. ; Ranindu de Silva 2/35, Minage Ariyadasa 2/63, Tenush Nimsara 2/81)
Richmond 90 for 7 in 41 overs (Ravindu Randinu 21, Bevin Jayawardhana 24n.o.; Oshada Perera 4/33, Shanaal Binuksha 2/18)
by Reemus Fernando ✍️
Ex-Nascar driver and his family among seven killed in US plane crash
TikTok owner signs agreements to avoid US ban
Violence breaks out in Bangladesh after death of youth protest leader
Financial contribution from Gift Sri Lanka Foundation and the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, USA, for disaster relief
European Union provides over Euro 2.35 million Humanitarian Assistance to Sri Lanka
Tannane goal from own half sets Morocco on way to FIFA Arab Cup 2025 title
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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