Sports Archives

April 22, 2024

A six-a-side soft ball corporate cricket tournament was successfully held at the G H Buddhadasa Ground in Battaramulla recently with the participation of 28 teams representing leading companies in the island. The tournament was organized by the Rainbow Pages Welfare Society. Rainbow Pages is the National Business Directory in Sri Lanka managed by SLT-MOBITEL group.

The teams in the semi-finals were Winners Global, Sonasu Connect, GM Garments, and Salota International. Winners Global won the championship, while GM Garments and Salota International were both named co-runners-up in the Champions League corporate cricket tournament.

The cricket team of Winners Global (Pvt) Ltd bagged the champions trophy that accompanied by a cash prize of Rs. 200,000. The occasion of awarding the trophies to the winners was graced by Mr. Lasantha Amarasinghe MD, The Chance Sports Borella, Mr. Ananda and Mrs. Wasanthi Managing Directors of AD Sports Nugegoda, Mr. Upul Manchanayake Chief Officer (Digital Services) and Mr. Asela Galappatige, COO of SLT (Services) Limited.

April 22, 2024

The prestigious Thomas and Uber Cup Finals are set to return this year, with the event scheduled to kick off from April 27 to May 5 in Chengdu, China.

Organized by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the Thomas Cup Finals for men and the Uber Cup Finals for women are among the most significant events in the global badminton calendar. This year’s competition will feature 16 top-ranked teams from around the world, making it a highly anticipated event.

A total of 26 referees will officiate at the prestigious events, representing 19 countries. Among these are three Sri Lankans, including Rohana de Silva, Lakpriya Edirisinghe, and Chathuranga Wishwanath who will be aiming to make a mark on the global stage.

April 19, 2024

Sri Lankan badminton sensation Viren Nettasinghe has secured his spot in the men’s singles badminton event at the upcoming Paris Olympics, the qualification announced by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) showed late Wednesday.

Currently ranked 72nd internationally, Nettasinghe earned an impressive 24,030 ranking points throughout the season, placing himself in the 32nd spot among the qualified players for this year’s Olympic Games.
In accordance with Olympic regulations, only two players per event are permitted to represent their country in badminton. Presently, 39 players have secured direct qualification, including Nettasinghe.
A remarkable highlight is that Nettasinghe, at just 20 years old, is the youngest player on the list of qualifiers, showcasing his exceptional talent and promising future in the sport.
The qualifying period for the badminton event at the Paris Olympics is set to conclude on April 28
Following Nettasinghe’s feat, Sri Lanka Badminton said in a press release that Nettasinghe has been an icon in badminton, consistently demonstrating exceptional skills and unwavering determination.
“Through tireless training and a commitment to excellence, he has steadily climbed the competitive ladder, achieving remarkable feats at the national and international levels. All of Sri Lanka is united in celebrating this momentous occasion. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Viren Nettasinghe for this incredible achievement. The entire nation stands firmly behind you as you prepare to represent Sri Lanka on the biggest sporting stage in the world. We are confident that you will continue to shine brightly and make us all proud!,” Sri Lanka Badminton said.

April 18, 2024

As the prestigious Platinum Sponsor, SLT-MOBITEL fuels excitement for the 40th edition of the ‘Battle of the Rocks’ cricket tournament between St. Anne’s College and Maliyadeva College.

Presenting the sponsorship during the press conference, including Lakmal Jayasinghe (Chief Business Officer – Enterprise Business,SLT-MOBITEL Group), Rohana Ellawala ( Deputy Chief Marketing Officer – Product Management-SLT), Anuruddha Suriyarachchi (GM – Marketing Services-SLT), Bandula witharama (DGM-Consumer Sales Support -Provincial Business (NWP)-SLT,Asela Jayathilaka (DGM-Consumer Sales Support-SLT) and other SLT-MOBITEL officials graced the occasion demonstrating the organization’s commitment to nurturing iconic sporting events.

The historic rivalry between St. Anne’s College and Maliyadeva College, deeply rooted in the ‘City of the Rocks’ Kurunegala, promises electrifying action between the two cricketing titans as they clash on April 5th and 6th for the Two-day Test match, followed by the One Day event on April 7th at the Welagedara Stadium.

April 18, 2024

The Central Province Badminton Association, in collaboration with Sri Lanka Badminton, will host the 2024 Summer Season All-Island Open Badminton Championships at the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council Indoor Courts from April 20-28.

The annual Level 1 ranking tournament, a key event in SLB’s calendar, will see shuttlers across the country showcase their skills in a variety of categories, including open, junior, senior, and combined age groups. Competitions will be held under men’s and women’s singles and doubles, mixed doubles, and team events. Events in the junior division will be held for age groups from U-11 to U-19, while the senior division will welcome shuttlers over 30 years, extending up to above 70 years.

The championships will also feature competitions for over 110 years in women’s and men’s doubles and mixed doubles within the combined age group category. Moreover, Plate Championships are allocated for those who narrowly miss the finals in the semis.

The opening ceremony and the preliminary round matches of the Summer Season Championships will be held on April 20, followed by a series of competitive rounds leading up to the semi-finals on April 27 and the grand finals and closing ceremony on April 28. The champions, runners-up, and semi-finalists while a prize pool of Rs.750,000, in addition to trophies, medals, and certificates are up for grabs.

The generous sponsors of this year’s Summer Season Championships include Mcfoil, Mobil, Li Ning, 3M, and GAC.

April 18, 2024

McLarens Lubricants, in collaboration with Mobil as the Official Lubricant Partner, is set to reignite the tracks at Fox Hill Supercross 2024. The event is scheduled to be held on the 21st of April at the iconic Fox Hill Racing Track in Diyathalawa and marks a significant collaboration between leading lubricant experts and the motorsports community.

Organized by the Sri Lanka Military Academy in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Army Motor Sports Committee and Sri Lanka Automobile Sports, Fox Hill Supercross 2024 promises an exhilarating return after a long five-year hiatus. The event features 12 motorcar and 12 motorcycle events, including championship races. This year’s event is poised to captivate motorsports enthusiasts like never before.

The partnership between McLarens Lubricants and Mobil underscores a shared commitment to supporting premier racing events and delivering high-performance lubrication solutions. Mobil 1, renowned for its unparalleled track record as the preferred choice for elite race teams in the most demanding motorsports series worldwide, brings its expertise to Fox Hill Supercross 2024. With longstanding partnerships with NASCAR since 2003, and serving as the official technology partner for Oracle Red Bull Racing, Mobil 1 exemplifies unmatched performance on the track.

“We are thrilled to be the Official Lubricant Partner for Fox Hill Supercross 2024,” said Mr. Chaminda Gunaratne, representing McLarens Lubricants. “This partnership not only signifies our dedication to supporting the motorsports community but also highlights Mobil’s expertise in powering elite race teams to victory.”

The return of Fox Hill Supercross after a break of five years adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation for motorsports enthusiasts. It represents the fusion of two entities – McLarens Lubricants and Mobil – reshaping the standards of performance and reliability on the track. This resurgence not only brings back memories of past races but also marks the beginning of a new chapter in motorsports excellence.

April 8, 2024

A team of 11 Sri Lankan shuttlers and three officials left for China to participate in the Badminton Asia Championships, a Grade 2 tournament endorsed by the Badminton World Federation. The tournament will be held from April 9 to 14 at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province.

Sri Lanka’s ace shuttle Viren Nettasinghe will participate in the men’s singles while Ranitma Liyanage will participate in the women’s singles.

Nettasinghe will then partner with Buwaneka Goonethilleka in the men’s doubles competition while Thulith Palliyaguruge will be paired with Oshamika Karunarathne. Madhuka Dulanjana and Lahiru Weerasinghe make up the third Sri Lankan men’s pair in the men’s doubles Round Robin Qualifying.

Meanwhile, Sithumi de Silva and Isuri Bhagya Attanayake will play in the women’s doubles Qualifying, while Chamath Dias will pair up with Roshini Gunasekara in the mixed doubles.

Apart from the players, Nettasinghe’s coach Roshan Nettasinghe, coach of other players Yukthi Perera, and lady chaperone Malika Waduge are also part of the contingent.

Sri Lanka team

Viren Nettasinghe, Ranitma Liyanage, Buwaneka Goonethilleka, Chamath Dias, Tulith Palliaguruge, Oshamika Karunarathne, Madhuka Dulanjana, Lahiru Weerasinghe, Roshini Gunasekara, Situmi De Silva and Isuri Bhagya Attanayake.

April 1, 2024

A demonstration in which several players including Sunanda Jayasekara – who set a unique record in the first 50-over cricket match held between St. Peter’s College (SPC), Bambalapitiya and St. Joseph’s College (SJC), Colombo in 1975 – is scheduled to be held in conjunction with the 50th match to be held on 06 April, 2024, bringing back fond and victorious memories of half a century.

The administration and other stakeholders of both schools decided to hold a 50-over one-day cricket match between the two schools. The inaugural 50-over match was held on 16 March, 1975 at the SJC Grounds in Colombo. The SPC and SJC cricket teams were captained by Bernard Wijetunga and Thushan Soyza, respectively. The SJC team won the toss and decided to bat first.

In this historical match very first ball of the new series was bowled by famous Peterite fast bowler Sunanda Jayasekara, and the history was made when Josephian opening batsman Rohan Wijesinghe (Snr.) was out for a rising out swinger caught at the first slip by SC Roshan Fernando. With this sensational start, Josephines were on the back foot and were all out for 118 runs. This was recorded both locally and internationally as an event when a player was dismissed from the very first ball of an inaugural cricket match. Jayasekara also captured the last wicket of the same inning, dismissing SJC’s hard-hitting batsman Wayne Jansz for 28 runs. The SPC won the match with five wickets spare.

Commemorating the memory of this victory, a demonstration is scheduled to be held in conjunction with the 50th SPC and SJC one-day cricket match to be held on 6 April, 2024, in which several players who participated in the 1975 match, including Jayasekara, Wijesinghe and Fernando, will participate.

March 27, 2024

Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 2024 – The Josephian-Peterite Big Match, one of Sri Lanka’s most prestigious cricketing events, recently marked a significant milestone with the recently concluded 90th ‘Battle of the Saints’ on March 22nd and 23rd, 2024, which will be followed by the landmark 50th Limited Over Encounter on April 6th, 2024. This historic occasion has garnered tremendous support from a diverse array of sponsors, demonstrating their commitment to the rich tradition and sporting excellence embodied by these events.

As the Principal Sponsor, Dialog Axiata lead the charge, powering the excitement surrounding both the 90th ‘Battle of the Saints; and the 50th Limited Over Encounter. Their steadfast support underscores the significance of these landmark occasions in the annals of Sri Lankan cricketing history. Dialog in addition also acts as the Official Television Provider.

Joining as Platinum Sponsors are Aarons Clothing and Hayles Solar, serving as the Clothing Partner and Energy Partner respectively, adding their unique contributions to the festivities. Their involvement enhances the overall experience for players and spectators alike, ensuring a memorable event for all.

The Josephian-Peterite Big Match is further bolstered by esteemed Diamond Sponsors, including Hatton National Bank, Jetwing Hotels, Keells Krest, Elephant House, Amro, Maggi, and Russel’s Tea Service (Pvt) Ltd. Their invaluable support as Banking Partner, Hospitality Partner, Food & Beverage Partner, Seasoning Partner, Instant Noodles Partner, and Catering Partner elevates the event to new heights of excellence.

Gold Sponsor Black Night adds flair as the Men’s Grooming Partner, while Silver Sponsors Uber One, Aitken Spence, Singer, and The Capazity contribute their expertise as Mobility Partner, Travel Partner, Retail Partner, and Skills Development Partner respectively, enriching the overall experience for attendees.

Completing the lineup of sponsors are Bronze Sponsors Yes FM and Hemas Hospitals, serving as the Radio Partner and Healthcare Partner respectively, along with Ceylon Biscuits Limited rounding off the comprehensive support extended to the Josephian-Peterite Big Match.

“We are deeply grateful for the support from our sponsors, whose generosity and commitment have been instrumental in making the 90th ‘Battle of the Saints’ and the 50th Limited Over Encounter a resounding success,” remarked Co-Chair, Jospehian-Peterite Joint Organising Committee – Terrence Fernando.

“The contributions of our sponsors underscore the collective effort to celebrate our cricketing heritage and unite our communities in the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie”, concluded Co-Chair, Jospehian-Peterite Joint Organising Committee – Michael Elias.

The 50th Limited Over Encounter holds special significance, commemorating a major milestone in Sri Lanka’s schools’ cricketing history. This landmark match symbolises the enduring legacy and camaraderie between St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, and St. Peter’s College, Colombo, fostering a spirit of sportsmanship and friendly rivalry cherished by generations.

The Josephian-Peterite Cricket Committee extends its heartfelt appreciation to all sponsors for their invaluable support, and they look forward to welcoming cricket enthusiasts from near and far to witness these historic events.

March 25, 2024

Savinaka Weerasekera and Ranithma Liyanage won the men’s and women’s open singles titles at the Mercantile Services Open Badminton Championship, held in Colombo.

Organised by the Mercantile Services Open Badminton Association under the auspices of Sri Lanka Badminton and took place at the SLB and Lumbini College indoor courts, the Championships also saw Ranithma claiming a double by winning the mixed open doubles title along with Alan Dharmasaputra.

Savinaka defeated Lochana de Silva 21-17, 8-21, 21-14 in the men’s open singles final, while Raninma managed to defeat Warangana Jayawardene 21-12, 21-14 to win the women’s singles title.

Oshamika Karunaratne and Tulith Palliaguru won the men’s open doubles title by defeating Dinuru Rashmika Priyashantha and Siyath Dulneth Senaratne in a thrilling three-setter with a scoreline of 21-17, 18-21 and 21-17, while Anurangi Hansamala Maskorala and Vidara Suhasni Vidanage managed to win the women’s open doubles title by defeating Rashmi Bhagya and Warangana with scores of 21-19 and 21-18.

In the open mixed doubles final, Marcelo Vittorio and Praveena Jayasundara lost to Ranithma and Dharmasaputra 21-15, 21-14.

In the under-19 boys’ singles final, Shenuk Samararatne won the boys’ singles title by defeating Thilina Rajakaruna 21-19, 21-10, while the girls’ singles title in the same age group was won by Amantha Thathsarani who defeated Rukshika Baskaran 21-16, 20-22, 21-16 in the final.

The boys’ doubles title in the same age group was won by Rithira Sendhil Abeygunawardena and Thenul Ransaja Ganewatta who defeated Sanjula Handapangodage and Shenuk Samararatne 21-16, 8-21, 21-19 in another thriller.

A prominent event in the national badminton calendar, the Mercantile Services Open Badminton Championship also acted as a level-one ranking tournament.

The tournament was sponsored by McFoil, Mobil, Li Ning, 3M, and GAC.

Older Posts

Rainbow Pages Champions League: Corporate Cricket Tournament Hits a Six with 28 Leading Companies Battling for Victory

Three Sri Lankans to officiate at BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2024

Nettasinghe secures ticket to Paris Olympics

SLT-MOBITEL powers historic ‘Battle of the Rocks’ cricket encounter as Platinum Sponsor

Summer Season Open Badminton Championships to be held in Nuwara Eliya from April 20-28

McLarens Lubricants join forces to power the revival of Fox Hill SuperCross 2024

Badminton Asia Championships: Eleven-member Sri Lanka team leaves for China

St. Peter’s and St. Joseph’s inaugural one-day cricket players to repeat history

Joe-Pete Big Match Receives Overwhelming Support from Sponsors for 90th ‘Battle of the Saints’ and Historic 50th Limited Over Encounter

Savinaka and Ranithma win Mercantile Services singles titles