Mendis and Udara steady ship with warm-up fifties
Mahinda meet formidable Mahanama in semi-final
Wins for Dialog Axiata and Green Miracle Grand on Wednesday
Wins for Amzet, CDB, Colombo Aces and HNB ‘A’ on rain hampered day
A strong SL team leave for Under 19 Asia Cup
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Women’s Handball Team continued its remarkable dominance in Defence Services sports by winning the Defence Services Handball Championship 2026 at the Indoor Stadium, Army Cantonment, Panagoda, on October 23.
The victory marked the team’s seventh consecutive championship title, extending its unbeaten record since handball was introduced to the Defence Services Games and further underlining its supremacy in the competition.
Led by Corporal Erandi WP, the Airwomen displayed impressive teamwork, determination and fighting spirit throughout the tournament to maintain their winning tradition.
Leading Aircraftwoman Nawanjana RASN was named Best Player of the Tournament, while Corporal Nirmani APR received the Best Defensive Player award in recognition of her outstanding performances.
The team’s latest triumph reflected the players’ discipline, unity and commitment to excellence, bringing further recognition to the SLAF’s sporting achievements.
The championship was attended by senior officers representing the Tri-Services, highlighting the role of sport in fostering camaraderie, sportsmanship and unity among members of the Armed Forces.
Major General Rohan Medagoda, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Army Handball Committee, attended the event as the Chief Guest. Air Commodore Uditha Piyasena, Director of Personnel and Planning at the Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering, and Air Commodore Buddhika Piyasiri, Chairman of SLAF Handball, were also present.
The seventh successive title represents another significant milestone for the Air Force, whose women’s handball team continues to set the standard in Defence Services competition through its consistency, resilience and dedication.
Sensational Sri Lanka storm into tri-series final
Madushanka skittles Pakistan for 110, secures Sri L’ankas entry into final
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Sri Lanka swapped coloured clothing for whites as their marathon tour of Pakistan entered its red ball phase yesterday, with Kusal Mendis and Lahiru Udara striking half-centuries in the warm-up game against PCB Patron’s XI in Islamabad.
Having spent the white ball leg shuttling between Rawalpindi and Lahore for three T20Is and an ODI triangular tournament, the tourists moved to the Pakistani capital to prepare for the two match Test series. The tour stretches beyond seven weeks and already several players are feeling homesick.
Islamabad houses Pakistan Cricket Board’s state-of-the-art cricket academy, comparable to Sri Lanka’s High Performance Centre at R. Premadasa Stadium.
Sri Lanka’s first red-ball outing began on a shaky note, with Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva back in the pavilion with just 40 runs on the board.
Udara and captain Mendis steadied the ship, adding 90 for the fourth wicket and giving the innings some much needed backbone.
Udara, who was not in the original squad but was retained as a replacement for the injured Pathum Nissanka, made 65 to press his case for a Test berth. Whether that earns him a place in the first Test remains to be seen. Despite a big hundred in the Caribbean, quality bowling has asked searching questions of his technique at Test level.
Mendis, now entrusted with Sri Lanka’s captaincy across all three formats, kept the scoreboard ticking with a fluent 66 at almost a run a ball. His innings contained 11 boundaries.
Much was expected of Sonal Dinusha after his resolute batting against India at home, but he managed only ten. Uncapped Anjala Bandara, meanwhile, finished unbeaten on 33 as he pushed his claims for the wicketkeeper’s berth.
Bandara has piled up runs, but questions remain over his glovework. The selectors will be watching closely on how well he keeps wickets.
Sri Lanka finished on 232 for seven in 58 overs, with PCB Patron’s XI reaching 43 for two in 15 overs in reply.
Lahiru Kumara was among four seamers fielded by Sri Lanka, alongside Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga and Milan Rathnayake.
With Asitha Fernando firmly established as the first choice Test seamer, the contest is on to decide who shares the new ball with him.
Sri Lanka 232 for seven in 58 overs
(Kusal Mendis 66, Lahiru Udara 65, Anjala Bandara 33 not out).
PCB Patron’s XI 43 for two in 15 overs
Mahinda College, Galle will go out in full strength against defending champions Mahanama College, Colombo when the two sides meet in the first semi-final of the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket tournament at Katana today.
Captained by Dulsith Dharshana, Mahinda secured their semi-final berth with a four-wicket victory over St. Sebastian’s, Moratuwa in the quarter-final.
Earlier in the tournament, they beat St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota by five wickets, Royal College, Colombo by six wickets and Lumbini by ten wickets. Their only defeat came against St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, the only side to pass the 200-run mark against them.
In their other matches, Mahinda’s bowlers, led by left-arm pacer Sadew Nethmina, kept opponents to modest totals. Nethmina is the bowler to watch. With the bat, opener Sehas Ashinsa is the man to look out for after producing a match-winning half-century in the quarter-final.
Mahanama will be led by Thaviru Perera, as regular captain Sanul Weerarathne is away with the Sri Lanka Under 19 team at the Youth Asia Cup. Thaviru will spearhead the new-ball attack, but spin is the defending champions’ main weapon.
Spinner Kaushika Thilakarathne’s ability to bowl with both hands, gives Mahanama an edge in the bowling department. He enters the semi-final with two four-wicket hauls. Sanuka Ganepola and Nethuka Kulatunga are the other dependable bowlers.
In the batting department, opener Sineth Weerarathne is in sparkling form, with two half-centuries and a blistering 48 off 26 balls to his name. Dulneth Algewatta is another reliable batsman in the line-up.
Mahanama knocked out St. Joseph’s in the quarter-final, bundling the Darley Road side out for just 84. In the first round they beat Wesley by
four wickets and Prince of Wales by five wickets, while their matches against Trinity and S. Thomas’ ended with no result.
Mahinda (from): Dulsith Darshana (Captain), Sadew Nethmina (V. Capt.), Randula Mabarana, Manitha Rajapaksha, Sehas Ashinsa, Kaveesha Githmal, Thiyon Helika, Kavindu Nimsata, Gesandu Bisas, Vishmitha Sathsara, Buddhima Tharupathi, Naviru Nishitha, Nihindu Sesitha, Anuga Palliyaguru, Senuja Vehan, Kevin Geemitha, Bakshara Jayarathne, Dhanuja Theekshana.
Officials: Denuwan Rajakaruna (Head Coach), Sandaru Nethmina (Asst. Coach), Y. Nishantha Kumara (Master in Charge)
Mahanama (from): Thaviru Perera (Captain), Sineth Weerarathne, Kaushika Thilakarathne, Praveen Ranhiru, Dulenth Algawatte, Yashen Gunathilake, Umesh Perera, Vihanga Perera, Sanuka Ganepola, Nethula Kariyawasam, Nithum Gunasekara, Nethuka Kulathunga, Vimash Madanayake, Navidu Rodrigo, Kavika Madushan, , Thenuja Rashmin, Ramithu Govinna, Nemitha Sandesh.
Officials: Gihan Rupasinghe (Head Coach), Rumesh Milroy (Asst. Coach), Kaveen Silva (Asst. Coach), Salinda Madushanka (Asst. Coach), Waruna Vithanakanda (Master in Charge)
Dialog Axiata and Green Miracle Grand registered wins as the 7th CBL Munchee – MCA Challengers League continued on Wednesday.
At the Mercantile Cricket Association ground, Moditha Weerasinghe starred with ball and bat to help Dialog Axiata register a close one wicket win in their tournament opener. Electing to field first Moditha and Poorna Prabath captured three wickets each to restrict Hayleys ‘B’ to 144 runs. Yuthika Silva scored an exact 50 off 53 balls for Hayleys. Dialog Axiata managed to win the game with one wicket in hand and nearly 13 overs to spare.
Green Miracle Grand made it two in two when they crushed Colombo Dockyard by eight wickets at the BRC ground. Electing to bat first Colombo Dockyard was restricted to 136 runs as Chanuth Dinoth captured four wickets while Menura Niroshana and Rasika Chandana captured two wickets each. Kavidu Perea , Lohan de Zoysa and Risith Upamal chipped in with thirty plus scores in the chase to see Green Miracle Grand reach the win need in the 20th over.
Allround Moditha powers Dialog Axiata to one wicket win
[Yuthika Silva 50, Kashyapa Dissanayake 22; Poorna Prabath 3-30, Moditha Weerasinghe 3-18]
[Aathif Siddhique 20, Moditha Weerasinghe 44*; Kashyapa Dissanayake 3-43, Yasiru Jayasinghe 2-24, Yuthika Silva 2-15]
Green Miracle Grand crush Colombo Dockyard by 8 wickets
Colombo Dockyard 136/10 in 37.2 overs
[Hashan Janith 47, Ashen Perera 33*; Menura Niroshana 2-17, Chanut Dinoth 4-27, Rasika Chandana 2-27]
Green Miracle Grand Pvt Ltd 137/2 in 19.2 overs [Gimhana Theekshana 20, Kavindu Perera 35, Lohan de Zoysa 34*, Risith Upamal 35*; Shamal Rajathurai 1-21]
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