Sports

Yupun, Dhanushka, Ushan top SL performers in the centenary year

Published

3 years ago

2022/12/30

by Reemus Fernando

In a year marred by cancellations of multiple international events due to Covid 19 pandemic, sprinter Yupun Abeykoon’s 9.96 seconds dash in the 100 metres in Switzerland stood out as Sri Lanka’s most outstanding track and field performance of the year as South Asia witnessed its first sub ten seconds performer in the sport’s most glamorous discipline.

In the men’s category the Italy-based sprinter was the top-ranked Sri Lankan in the track and field sports in the centenary year and the next two athletes in the list, namely, the long jumper Dhanushka Sandaruwan and high jumper Ushan Thivanka too thrived overseas.

Abeykoon ended a long wait for a track and field medal for Sri Lanka at a major multisport event when he clinched the bronze medal of the men’s 100 metres at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. It was the icing on the cake for the 27-year-old, who completed a dramatic year by taking under his name several national records.

Abeykoon, who will celebrate his birthday on new year’s eve, improved the 100 metres national record twice this year. The 9.96 seconds feat which he achieved in July is also the fastest performance by an Asian in the 100 metres this year. He was also the only Sri Lankan sprinter to clock sub 21 seconds in the 200 metres in the passing year.

Despite the rise of Abeykoon as a potential Asian Games medal winner, the country’s chances of fielding a strong relay team for the regional event disappeared as the former national record holder Himasha Eshan was slapped with a four-year ban in August for a doping violation he is alleged to have committed in 2021.

US-based athletes Danushka Sandaruwan and Ushan Thiwanka are the next highest-ranked Sri Lankan male athletes in 2022. The 2019 Asian Championship participant Sandaruwan produced an 8.03 metres long jump feat in June. Although it was not enough to secure a top position in Asia, the feat augurs well for the sport as Sandaruwan has cleared a huge mental barrier with that feat beyond the eight metres. It is the best performance by a Sri Lankan since Janaka Prasad’s 8.07 metres (+2.0) feat in 2019 in the men’s long jump.

High jumper Thiwanka made a promising start in March with a feat of 2.27 metres, a performance that elevated him to the 14th position in the world by April. However, a number of issues prevented him from making it to the Sri Lanka teams. At the end of the year, Thiwanka is among the top ten in the Asian rankings.

The supremacy in the men’s 400 metres was shared by Kalinga Kumarage and Aruna Dharshana who both clocked sub-46 seconds. At present Kumarage is ranked eighth in Asia while Dharshana is ranked 13th.Triple jumper Shreshan Dhananjaya, javelin thrower Sumedha Ranasinghe, triple jumper Chamal Kumarasiri, hurdler Roshan Ranatunga and long jumper Pathum Bandara Herath are the other highest-ranked Sri Lankan male athletes this year.

With his outstanding 9.96 seconds feat sprinter Abeykoon has provided track and field sports a rare platform to reinvigorate in its centenary year. However, it remains to be seen whether the authorities would capitalize on it. It is the first major breakthrough for local athletics since Olympic medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe’s retirement.

Highest Ranked Sri Lankan Male Athletes in 2022
Yupun Abeykoon 100m
Danushka Sandaruwan Long Jump
Ushan Thiwanka High Jump
Kalinga Kumarage 400metres
Shreshan Dhananjaya long jump/Triple Jump
Sumedha Ranasinghe javelin throw
Aruna Dharshana 400m
Chamal Kumarasiri triple jump
Roshan Ranatunga 110 metres hurdles
Yasiru Pathum Bandara Herath long jump

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Sports

Sri Lanka claim ODI series 1-0 after another washout in Kingston

Published

6 hours ago

2026/06/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

Kusal Mendis poses with the series trophy

For the second game running in Kingston, persistent rain forced an ODI between West Indies and Sri Lanka had to be abandoned without a ball being bowled. This one – the third and final ODI in this series at Sabina Park – meant Sri Lanka secured the trophy with a 1-0 margin, courtesy the 41-run victory they enjoyed in the series opener.

The umpires had several inspections, but after discussing with curators they decided that getting play started by the cut off of 8.02pm for a 20-over-shootout was almost impossible.

While the mood around both camps might be damp, both literally and metaphorically following two straight washouts, the outcome is still a landmark one for the visiting Lions. It is their first ODI-series victory in the Caribbean in 23 years – the last coming in 2003. A positive start for their newly appointed head coach Gary Kirsten and their new ODI captain Kusal Mendis, although they would’ve liked to have seen more in-game action from the players.

“Very happy to win the series, we did really well in that one game – in all three departments,” Mendis said. “There are not a lot of matches ahead of next year’s World Cup, happy with my first series victory as captain. Got support of the staff too.” He also praised the bowling unit.

For West Indies, the weather and the subsequent series result is undoubtedly a frustrating blow. Denied a chance to avenge their opening game defeat, it’s not only a first series loss at home in three years but, more critically, it’s a result that hinders their pursuit of vital ICC ranking points required for automatic, direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

West Indies, for now, remain in tenth place in the ODI rankings, just outside of the top eight qualifying spots. They have ODI series campaigns against New Zealand (World No. 2) and India (No. 1) coming up next.

“You can’t control mother nature,” Shai Hope said. “Credit just be given to the Sri Lankan team for the way they played in the first game. [T20I series next] We need to look ahead, understand conditions. Adaptability will be key in Jamaica. We’ve got some experience, hope to bounce back there.”

Both sides will rapidly shift focus to the shortest format as a three-match T20I series is scheduled to kick off on Thursday, June 11, with subsequent matches on June 13 and June 14.

However, the teams will not be changing hotels just yet; all three T20Is are slated to take place at the exact same venue in Kingston. With rain expected to be a presence across Jamaica over the coming week, groundstaff will have their work cut out for them to ensure the upcoming matches escape a similar watery fate. Those matches will all start at 7.30pm local time.

[Cricinfo]

Sports

Hirun, Menula steer Isipatana to five-wicket win over St. Benedict’s

Published

6 hours ago

2026/06/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

Isipatana College Colombo produced a disciplined all-round performance to register a comfortable five-wicket victory over St. Benedict’s College Kotahena in their Under-17 Division I cricket encounter at BRC ground on Tuesday.

‎Chasing a modest target of 165, Isipatana suffered an early setback when Hasindu Kethmina fell with only three runs on the board. However, Savain Wijewardana and Hirun Wattegedara steadied the innings with a valuable second-wicket stand.

‎Savain made 30 off 48 balls before being dismissed, while Hirun anchored the chase with a composed 66 off 104 deliveries that included three fours and two sixes. His knock laid the foundation for the successful run chase.

‎Menula Dambakumbur

අ played an aggressive innings of 47 from just 45 balls, striking three boundaries and a six. His partnership with Hirun carried Isipatana close to victory before both batters departed late in the innings.

‎Kumar Abishek remained unbeaten on 3 as Isipatana reached 165 for 5 in 36.4 overs, sealing victory with many overs to spare.

‎For St. Benedict’s, Thisum Perera was the most successful bowler with figures of 2 for 31 from 10 overs, while Paranthaman Rohinth, Sethun Perera and Theumika Perera claimed a wicket each.

‎Earlier, St. Benedict’s were bowled out for 164 in 47.1 overs despite a fighting half-century from Paranthaman Rohinth. Rohinth top-scored with 54 runs off 75 deliveries, striking five fours and a six, while Sethun Perera contributed 19 and Daham Premasiri added 19 lower down the order.

‎St. Benedict’s struggled to build substantial partnerships as wickets fell at regular intervals. Rohinth’s dismissal at 101 for 4 in the 29th over triggered a middle-order collapse, leaving the innings heavily dependent on contributions from the lower order.

‎Isipatana’s bowlers shared the workload effectively. Nithila Athukorala and Kumar Abishek claimed two wickets apiece, conceding just 21 and 19 runs respectively. Abiru Walpola also picked up two wickets, while Hirun Wattegedara, Hiruna Vidushan and Anuhas Pandithage chipped in with one wicket each.

Scores:

‎St. Benedict’s 164 all out in 47.1 overs

(Paranthaman Rohinth 54, Sethun Perera 19, Daham Premasiri 19; Nithila Athukorala 2/21, Kumar Abishek 2/19, Abiru Walpola 2/33).

‎Isipatana 165 for 5 in 36.4 overs (Hirun Wattegedara 66, Menula Dambakumbura 47, Savain Wijewardana 30; Thisum Perera 2/31).

‎In the other matches played on Tuesday, Kingswood beat St. Thomas’ Matale y seven wickets while St. Sebastian’s Katuneriya beat Maris Stella, Thimbirigaskatuwa by two wickets.

[RF]

Sports

44th Executive Committee to steer MCA in 2026/27

Published

6 hours ago

2026/06/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

The 44th Executive Committee of the Mercantile Cricket Association

Seated from left:

Lakmal de Silva [Exco Member] .Rohan Somawansa [Vice President], Thushan Amarasuriya [Senior Vice President] Sirosha Gunatilake [President ], Achintha Hewanayake [General Secretary], Tarinda Kaluperuma [Vice President] , Hasitha Dassanayake [Treasurer ]

Standing from left:

Samantha de Mel [Exco Member], Sajith Atapattu [Assistant Treasurer ], Ajith Siyambalapitiya [Assistant Secretary], Pramodth Fernando [Exco Member], Anil Hapugoda [Exco Member], Ashan Peris [Exco Member], Feroze Ahamed [Exco Member]

Founded in 1911 as the ‘Mercantile Cricket Competition’, the Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) has evolved under the stewardship of distinguished cricketing personalities — from its first President, to Sirosha Gunatilake its 44th President and the 30th Sri Lankan to hold the post.

Over the years, the MCA has made significant investments in cricketing infrastructure to further the development of the sport across the country and continues to play a vital role in nurturing cricketing talent within the mercantile sector and beyond.

Today, the MCA is recognized as one of the foremost cricket-promoting associations in Sri Lanka and has served as a model for many of the tournament structures adopted by Sri Lanka Cricket.

The Association annually conducts seven major tournaments and more than 500 matches, including the Super Premier League to Rising Leagues, the Mercantile Six-a-Side Tournament, the Over-40 Sixes, T10 and T20 competitions, the MCA Inter Academy Invitational Tournament, and the MCA Ladies Sixes (Softball) Tournament, which was introduced to promote women’s cricket and encourage greater participation of ladies in hard-ball cricket.

The 44th Executive Committee that will steer Sri Lanka’s premier corporate cricket association through 2026 / 2027:

President

– Sirosha Gunatilake Managing Director, (Trendex Lanka (Pvt) Ltd)

Senior Vice President –

Thushan Amarasuriya Managing Director/ Executive Director, (Singer Sri Lanka PLC)

Vice Presidents-

Tarindra Kaluperuma Executive Director , (Stafford Motors Co. Ltd)

Rohan Somawansa Head of Marketing and Corporate Communication / Director (DSI Samson Group (Pvt). Ltd)

General Secretary

Achintha Hewanayake Director/CEO/President , (CL Synergy Limited)

Treasurer

Hasitha Dassanayake Chief Sales & Digital Business Officer, (Citizen Development Business Finance PLC)