Sandaru cracks double century as Devapathiraja commence season on a strong footing
JXG and Ceylon Chamber launch ‘BREAKTHROUGH’ to power national entrepreneurship
De Silva-Kusal stand of 249* moves Sri Lanka into the ascendancy
Sri Lanka left with a mountain to climb in Rawalpindi
Deciding to bat first after a wet outfield delayed the start of the first Youth Test, Dharmaraja College batsman Pulindu Perera top scored with 71 runs for Sri Lanka Under 19s to reach 163 for three wickets at stumps against West Indies Under 19s on day one of the match at Dambulla.
Perera shared a first-wicket stand of 64 runs with skipper Sineth Jayawardene before adding a partnership of 57 runs for the second wicket with Ravishan Nethsara, who was not out on 31 runs at the stump.
Perera hammered eight fours and two sixes in his knock of 71 runs which came in 66 balls. Skipper Jayawardene’s run-a-ball 34 runs included seven boundaries.
Nethsara dropped anchor after the dismissal of the captain had faced 81 balls for his knock.
For the visitors, Isai Thorne, Nathan Sealy, and Tarrique Edward took one wicket each.
163 for 3 in 38 overs (Pulindu Perera 71, Sineth Jayawardene 34, Ravishan Nethsara 31n.o.)
Lochana, Ranithma clinch open singles titles
Akesha, Eliza win girls’ doubles title
Pulindu’s efforts in vain as Sri Lanka Under 19s suffer nine wicket defeat
Pulindu sizzles as Sri Lanka Under 19s win series
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Dhananjaya de Silva answered his critics with the bat and Kusal Mendis led from the front as Sri Lanka hauled themselves off the ropes to leave Pakistan toiling on the third day of the opening Test in Rawalpindi.
The former captain and his successor struck unbeaten centuries in an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 249, transforming a precarious position into one brimming with promise. Sri Lanka closed on 404 for four, just 30 short of Pakistan’s 434 for nine declared, with six wickets in the bank.
De Silva was unbeaten on 167 and Mendis on 117. A contest Pakistan had threatened to dictate was now a far more even affair, with Sri Lanka in a position to push for a first innings lead.
For de Silva, this was a timely return to form. A prolonged lean spell had left his place under scrutiny, and handing over the captaincy before the tour had done little to ease the pressure. The middle order berth still had to be earned.
He made his case emphatically. With his side needing both runs and reassurance, de Silva supplied them in abundance, scoring freely without allowing the demands of the rescue act to tie him down.
Kamindu Mendis played his part in laying the platform, making 53 and sharing a useful stand with de Silva. His dismissal gave Pakistan a chance to prise open the middle order. Instead, they ran into a partnership that would occupy them for the rest of the day.
Kusal Mendis initially played himself in, content to let de Silva set the pace. Once established, the captain widened his range, mixing patience with the willingness to take the aerial route. Four sixes punctuated his innings as Pakistan struggled to keep either batter on a tight leash.
The pair complemented each other well. There was enough enterprise to keep the scoreboard moving and enough discipline to ensure Pakistan’s solitary breakthrough remained just that. As the stand grew, the pressure changed dressing rooms.
De Silva reached three figures from 151 balls, but there was no loosening of his grip. With his hundred secured, he pressed on towards 150, turning an important contribution into the sort of substantial innings Sri Lanka had sorely needed.
Mendis followed him to a century from 152 deliveries, marking his first Test as captain with a telling contribution. Leadership had brought an immediate examination; his response was to help bat Sri Lanka back into the contest.
By stumps, de Silva had struck 20 boundaries and Mendis ten fours to go with his four sixes. More telling than the boundary count, however, was the empty wickets column Pakistan had endured after Kamindu’s departure.
Sri Lanka still have to finish the job. Drawing level is within touching distance; building a substantial lead will require another disciplined session. But after spending the early part of this Test chasing the game, they have given themselves a chance to call the shots.
Continue Reading Sports Sandaru cracks double century as Devapathiraja commence season on a strong footing Published
Sandaru Malshan extended his fine form with the Sri Lanka Under 17 team to the First XI cricket season as he cracked an unbeaten double century for Devapathiraja College Ratgama to take vital first innings points against St. Anthony’s College, Wattala in the Under-19 Division I Tier ‘B’ two-day cricket encounter at Wattala on Wednesday.
Malshan remained unbeaten on 200 as he formed the backbone of Devapathiraja’s imposing 320 for five declared (in 59.2 over) in reply to the home team’s 157.
Malshan’s double century came in just 156 balls as he struck 27 fours and three sixes.
Yasiru Lakshan supported him with 61 off 99 balls, while Puljith Wathsuka contributed 29.
Malshan was equally effective with the ball. He took two wickets for 37 runs in 15 overs in St. Anthony’s first innings of 157, before claiming another wicket for just six runs in four overs when the hosts reached 23 for one in their second innings.
It was the first match of the season for Devapathiraja.
Koshendra shines for St. Sebastian’s
Meanwhile, Koshendra Fernando produced an outstanding all-round performance as St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa secured first-innings points over Gurukula College, Kelaniya in their Under-19 Division I Tier ‘A’ two-day cricket encounter at Moratuwa.
The match ended in a draw, with St. Sebastian’s taking the crucial first-innings points after declaring on a commanding 350 for nine in 71 overs.
Koshendra was the top scorer for the hosts as he struck a superb 101 off 137 balls, including 15 fours.
Koshendra also made his contribution with the ball claiming four wickets for 67 runs in 24 overs, including seven maidens, as Gurukula were bowled out for 191 in 66.1 overs.
Following on Gurukula were 120 for six in their second innings when the match ended.
Koshendra continued his impressive bowling performance, taking another three wickets for 40 runs in 18 overs, giving him a match haul of seven wickets.
The Janashakthi Group (JXG) has officially partnered with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to launch BREAKTHROUGH, a National Entrepreneur Development Programme designed to accelerate business growth across Sri Lanka. Unveiled at a joint press conference, the initiative seeks to dismantle structural barriers, cultivate future-ready enterprises, and build a resilient economic ecosystem across all nine provinces.
The programme draws direct inspiration from the entrepreneurial journey of JXG’s Founder and Chairman Emeritus, C.T.A. Schaffter, widely regarded as a pioneer of Sri Lanka’s insurance industry. Beginning his career as an insurance clerk in 1952 before founding Janashakthi in his sixties, Schaffter demonstrated a willingness to venture beyond familiar territory – most notably founding the iconic dairy brand Kotmale in 1978 alongside diverse interests in education, manufacturing, exports, and agriculture.
Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Ramesh Schaffter, Managing Director and Group CEO of JXG, noted that building a sustainable enterprise requires the courage to look beyond conventional boundaries and turn ideas into tangible value.
“Look at what Sri Lankan entrepreneurs have achieved. Expolanka grew from a fresh produce business into a global logistics operation. Virtusa, co-founded by Sri Lankan Kris Canekeratne, developed from a small team working between Boston and Colombo into a global technology company. Vega Innovations took on the ambitious challenge of developing an electric supercar through local engineering capabilities,” Schaffter said.
“We need to create more opportunities for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to take those steps. Through BREAKTHROUGH, JXG is making its business experience and professional capabilities available in support of this national cause – putting our purpose of ‘Breaking Barriers, Forging Futures’ into action.”
Krishan Balendra, Chairperson of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, stated that the programme provides aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs with the visibility, mentorship, and business connections needed to scale from early-stage operations to international markets.
“The ultimate goal is to develop innovative, professionally managed, standards-compliant, and export-ready enterprises capable of participating in global value chains, nurturing the business leaders of tomorrow,” Balendra said.
Shiran Fernando, CEO of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, underscored the Chamber’s long-standing commitment to SME resilience, particularly in addressing vulnerabilities exposed in recent years. He noted that BREAKTHROUGH builds upon an established foundation that includes the Chamber’s Center for SMEs, the annual Scale-Up Sri Lanka forum, and youth entrepreneurship initiatives like SPARK, conducted in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Aligned with the strategic goals of the Ministry of Industries, the 12-month programme aims to help selected entrepreneurs overcome operational challenges, strengthen their business models, and sharpen market competitiveness.
Gamika De Silva, Group Chief Marketing Officer of JXG, added that the programme is structured to deliver lasting national impact rather than mere commercial recognition, noting that its core objective aligns closely with national economic priorities.
Leveraging the Chamber’s provincial networks, BREAKTHROUGH adopts a multi-tiered framework to uplift enterprises islandwide:
Comprehensive Sector Inclusivity: Open to businesses across diverse industries, spanning agriculture, technology, manufacturing, and services.
Ecosystem Collaboration: Inviting broader ecosystem partners to contribute resources, technical expertise, and strategic guidance.
Rigorous Evaluation and Mentorship: Selected participants will undergo financial readiness assessments and receive specialized guidance utilizing the intellectual property, technological acumen, legal frameworks, and marketing strategies of JXG and its partners.
Applications for the inaugural cohort of BREAKTHROUGH are open until January 20 via dedicated web portals. Structured as a comprehensive 12-month programme – with initial selection milestones concluding in March – the initiative is designed to provide sustained engagement and support the emergence of globally competitive enterprises originating from Sri Lanka.
Searching for leadership: Can we bring back qualities of our golden years?
Sarojini Kadirgamar –a lady for all seasons
Prospect of ‘spaceport’ on Sri Lanka’s east coast
Why the Jaffna Man Eats So Much Murunga
Batting frailties give Sri Lanka food for thought
Sri Lankan Airlines loss amplified to Rs35Bn by monetary debasement
GMOA seeks restoration of duty-free vehicle permits
Iran allows ship carrying fertilizer for SL to pass Strait of Hormuz
Copyright © 2020 Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd. Solution by LankaCom Privacy Policy
Loading comments…