Sports
Vidyartha ‘Tigers’ have the honour of featuring in rugby’s curtain raiser
By A Special Sports Correspondent
‘Bradby’ boys Trinity had a decent season last year and finished in 9th place at the inter-school league rugby tournament. Most importantly, the Trinitians showed resilience by staying in contention for more honors by making themselves available for the knockout tournament after the league season concluded. They also had a moment of glory in the Bradby Shield played against Royal when they notched up a first leg victory; which feat was recognized as an official victory by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association in the inter-school fifteen-a-side league rugby tournament. Trinity lost the return leg, but that result had no bearing on the league tournament points table.
Last season the Trinitians recorded wins against Science College and Vidyartha College Kandy, the latter victory reminding them that though one has strong roots in rugby, without updated knowledge, application and effort even the strongest team cannot survive in a league where all teams are equally hungry, well fed and well trained.
This is another team which is obsessed with a single match during the league rugby season, rated as too competitive at times by parents and critics because of the demands made on schoolboys by the sport of rugby. It goes without saying that rugby is an expensive and time consuming sport and only those with a great interest in the sport can be involved in it. The sport of rugby can no longer carry passengers on the field. That applies to the coaching staff as well.

‘Bradby’ boys Trinity had a decent season last year and finished in 9th place.
Trinity are led this season by back division player Anuhas Kodithuwakku and coached by Fazil Marija. The Trinitians open the season with a game against the Thomians on June 15 at Pallakele.
Vidyartha College Kandy, known as ‘Tigers’ in this sport, have steadily climbed the rungs of the school rugby ladder. It is a much feared side; thanks to great efforts gone into improve rugby at the school by old boys and well-wishers. Last season Vidyartha finished 10th in the league tournament and produced wins against Science College and Dharmaraja. This year the side is led by hard running back division player Gayan Perera and is coached by Sumedha Malawana. The Tigers open the season with a match against St. Joseph’s at Havelock Park on June 14.
Wesley College had a lean season in 2023 and finished in 11th position. They could only muster one win. That feat came against Kingswood. They were not guilty of lacking in effort, but the side failed to turn pressure into points and emerge the victor in a couple of games; especially against St. Joseph’s and St. Anthony’s last seasons. The side is led this year by flanker Shem Mendis and is coached by Henry Terrance.
The other team featured in this segment of the school rugby series carried by this newspaper is Dharmaraja. The ‘Rajans’ went winless last season and we’re lucky not to get demoted this year due to their dismal performance in 2023. Overall they were placed 12th in the points table. They played well against Science College last season, but still lost the grip in that game; losing the encounter 24-21 in the end. The only consolation for the school in rugby could be their principal Kamal Ariyasinha being reelected as president of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association for another year.
Dharmaraja open the season with a game against D.S.Senanayake on June 15 at Longden Place.
Latest News
Rwanda to host inaugural ICC Women’s Challenge Trophy from April 18
Rwanda will host the inaugural Women’s Challenge Trophy, which starts on April 18 in Kigali with Rwanda taking on Italy, in the first game and Nepal facing USA in the second game later in the day. The tournament, which will run till May 1, also features Vanuatu, and has a total of 20 games over ten match days.
The tournament is a new one in the ICC’s calendar, organised to provide match exposure to the second rung of Associate women’s teams. The eight-team Emerging Nations Trophy, introduced last year, featured the highest-placed teams from the ICC’s five regions, and this one pits the next-highest-placed teams. The teams were confirmed based on their positions at the regional T20 World Cup qualifiers last year.
“A double round-robin format assures maximum match exposure for teams, so that participants are better prepared to play stronger opposition in the years to come,” the ICC said in a statement. “This falls in line with the ICC’s commitment to deliver competitive cricket with context for all its members as it moves to continuously grow the women’s game.”
The matches will be played at Gahanga Cricket Stadium, a facility that has two adjoining grounds which host international cricket – Gahanga Cricket Stadium Main Oval and Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B.
“This tournament is a testament to the growth of Rwandan cricket and would not be possible without the unwavering support of our stakeholders, partners, and the ministry of sports,” president of Rwanda Cricket Association Stephen Musaale said. “To our incredible fans: we call on you to fill the stands at Gahanga with your energy and passion. Let us show the world the warmth of Rwandan hospitality as we cheer on our team in this historic chapter of our sporting journey.”
Schedule of matches
April 18: Rwanda vs Italy and Nepal vs USA
April 19: Rwanda vs Vanuatu and Italy vs Nepal
April 21: Rwanda vs USA and Vanuatu vs Italy
April 22: Rwanda vs Nepal and USA vs Vanuatu
April 24: Nepal vs Vanuatu and Italy vs USA
April 26: Rwanda vs Vanuatu and USA vs Nepal
April 27: Rwanda vs Italy and USA vs Vanuatu
April 28: Rwanda vs Nepal and Italy vs Vanuatu
April 30: Italy vs USA and Nepal vs Vanuatu
May 1: Rwanda vs USA and Italy vs Nepal
(The first matches will start at 9am local time and the second at 1pm local time)
Latest News
Canada T20 World Cup match under ICC corruption investigation
The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) is investigating allegations of corruption involving Cricket Canada, one of which focuses on a game involving Canada from the recent men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
ESPNcricinfo understands the ACU has two active investigations that span elements of Cricket Canada and allegations of breaches of the ICC’s anti-corruption code at international and domestic level as well. The existence of the allegations emerged in a documentary ‘Corruption, Crime and Cricket’, produced by the fifth estate, a Canadian investigative documentary programme. The 43-minute film, aired by the public broadcaster CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) on Friday, makes wide-ranging accusations of corruption and governance at Canada Cricket.
According to the documentary the claim of corruption at the World Cup comes from Canada’s game against New Zealand. Under scrutiny is the fifth over of New Zealand’s chase when the captain Dilpreet Bajwa came on to bowl. Bajwa, then 22, was appoi ted captain three weeks before the tournament began.
Primarily a batting allrounder who bowls offspin, Bajwa took the ball with New Zealand 35 for 2. Canada had opened the bowling with pace in Jaskaran Singh and Dilon Heyliger, but in a poor start they conceded 15 and 14 runs respectively. They switched to spin as early as the third over, when Saad bin Zafar came on and bowled a wicket maiden. Heyliger took a wicket in the next over – the fourth – and then Bajwa came on. He began the over with a no-ball, bowled a wide down the leg side and ended up conceding 15 off the over.
The other investigation stems from a recording of a telephone call involving then Canada coach Khurram Chohan, in which he claims that senior (now former) Cricket Canada board members put pressure on him to select certain players to the national side. The audio was leaked last year and has been under ACU investigation since. The recording also contains claims of attempts to fix in matches, though those involve challenges in corroborating with actionable evidence.
“The ACU is aware of the programme broadcast by CBC,” Andrew Ephgrave, interim General Manager of the ICC’s Integrity Unit, said in a statement to ESPNcricinfo. “Consistent with its established operating procedures, the ACU is not in a position to comment on the substance of any allegations contained within it.
“Governance matters in relation to ICC Members are considered by the ICC, where they fall under its jurisdiction, in accordance with the ICC’s standard constitutional processes.
“The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit operates across three core functions: intelligence, prevention and education, and investigation. These functions operate concurrently and are applied wherever there is a credible basis to believe the integrity of the sport may be at risk.”
The documentary also interviews another former coach, Pubudu Dassanayake, who makes a similar claim on undue influence being applied on him in squad selections, in his case for the 2024 T20 World Cup. The fifth estate said the board tried “to force” Dassanayake to select certain players and when he didn’t, he was told his contract would be terminated. Dassanayake is suing Cricket Canada for wrongful dismissal.
Canada’s players faced delayed payment of prize money due to them from the 2024 T20 World Cup and the documentary claims that national players were uncontracted from July 2025 and then put on small retainers for four months leading up to this year’s T20 World Cup.
The documentary also explores the links of organised crime after a former player claimed he was threatened. That investigation, Ephgrave told the fifth estate is beyond the ACU’s remit. “I am aware of some allegations. That very much is a domestic matter for whenever that is taking place. And very much a law enforcement responsibility,” Ephgrave said in the documentary.
(Cricinfo)
Sports
Jayasinghe siblings create unique record
Methika Jayasinghe and sister Binuthi Jayasinghe delivered exceptional performances at the recently concluded All-Island Under-20 Basketball Championship, securing championship titles and earning the prestigious Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in their respective categories.
The tournament, held from April 8 to April 11, 2026, featured the finest young basketball talent from across Sri Lanka. The girls’ final took place on April 10, followed by the boys’ final on April 11.
Representing Holy Family Convent, Colombo, Binuthi Jayasinghe played a pivotal role in her team’s triumph in the girls’ final, producing an outstanding performance with 25 points. Her dominance on the court, combined with her composure and technical ability, earned her the MVP award, marking her as one of the most promising young athletes in the sport. Notably, she is an Under-17 player who competed at the Under-20 level, making her achievement even more commendable.
In the boys’ competition, Methika Jayasinghe, representing St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, led his team as captain of the Under-20 side. Demonstrating exemplary leadership and consistent performance throughout the tournament, he guided his team to victory in the finals. His influence on the game and overall excellence were recognized with the awarding of the MVP title. Furthermore, Methika has achieved an outstanding record in school basketball, having won all championships in his age category without suffering a single defeat.
Both Methika and Binuthi also held Youth Captain roles, further highlighting their leadership qualities and importance to their respective teams.
Their dual achievement of securing both championship titles and MVP honours stands as a remarkable milestone, reflecting their dedication, discipline, and commitment to excellence. The success of the Jayasinghe siblings at this national-level competition underscores their potential to make a significant impact on the future of Sri Lankan basketball.
Both their parents also represented Sri Lanka in basketball with distinction.
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