Sports

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that during the last Presidential and General Elections, the people of the North took a step forward with the National People’s Power (NPP), not just for that single step, but with the vision of moving a thousand steps ahead.

He assured that the trust placed by the people will be safeguarded until a truly united Sri Lankan nation is built.

The President made these remarks yesterday (01) at the ceremony held to launch the commencement of construction of the Jaffna International Cricket Stadium on Mandaitivu Island.

At the event, it was also declared that under a long-term plan, Mandaitivu Island will be developed into a fully-fledged Sports City, equipped with international standard facilities.

This Sports City will include a swimming complex, a modern indoor stadium for multiple sports, star-class hotels and restaurants, luxury apartments, shopping complexes and recreational centres.

The Jaffna International Cricket Stadium will be built in four phases. In the first phase, the stadium and pavilion will be constructed to a level where matches can be played.

The second phase will include the main grandstand and media centre, the third phase will cover the remaining stands and the final phase will see the installation of floodlighting.

The stadium, which is being built on land provided by the Velanai Pradeshiya Sabha to Sri Lanka Cricket, will have a seating capacity of around 40,000 spectators.

It will also be equipped to host international day-night matches. Once completed, it will become Sri Lanka’s fifth stadium capable of hosting international matches and the seventh international-standard cricket stadium in the country.

President Dissanayake highlighted that cricket is a sport that has carried Sri Lanka’s pride to the world.

He stressed that sport has the unique power to unite people beyond all boundaries and differences, adding that the Jaffna International Cricket Stadium will not merely be a venue for cricket, but a symbol of national unity.

The President further expressed his vision of one day seeing a Sri Lankan national cricket team representing Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim youth, cheered on by fans of every community seated together in one stadium. He described this as his dream and urged all to join in making it a reality.

The President expressed confidence that the first match at the stadium will take place before the end of this year and that within three years, the venue will be ready to host its first international cricket match. He commended and thanked Sri Lanka Cricket for taking this landmark initiative, calling it a turning point for the sport.

The event was attended by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan, Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne, Members of Parliament, officials of Sri Lanka Cricket including its Chairman, as well as school cricketers from Jaffna District.

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Sri Lanka’s Kalinga Kumara delivered a stellar performance in the men’s 400m final at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships, clinching the bronze medal with a time of 45.55 seconds.

The final, held earlier today in South Korea, saw fierce competition among Asia’s top sprinters.

Qatar’s Amar Ibrahim took gold with a commanding finish in 45.33 seconds, while the silver medal went to a Japanese athlete whose time narrowly edged out Kumara’s.

Kalinga Kumara’s performance marks his best showing in this event to date.

Having won the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first. Zimbabwe’s innings began steadily, but their opening partnership was broken at 55 runs. Brendan Taylor and Ben Curran then stitched together a valuable 61-run stand for the second wicket, with Curran playing a fine knock of 79. Sikandar Raza also contributed with an unbeaten 59, guiding Zimbabwe to a competitive total.

Among the Sri Lankan bowlers, Dushmantha Chameera stood out with three wickets, while Asitha Fernando claimed two. At the end of their allotted 50 overs, Zimbabwe posted 277 for the loss of seven wickets.

Sri Lanka’s reply was anchored by opener Pathum Nissanka, who combined resilience with flair to record his seventh ODI century—a splendid 122. He shared a crucial 78-run partnership with Sadeera Samarawickrama, who added 31, while skipper Charith Asalanka played a captain’s innings of 71.

Despite early setbacks, including the dismissals of Nuwanidu Fernando (14) and Kusal Mendis (5), Sri Lanka’s batting line-up held firm. The chase was ultimately completed in the 49th over with three balls to spare, as Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis remained unbeaten at the crease.

With this commanding win, Sri Lanka sealed the series 2–0, demonstrating both batting depth and bowling discipline against a spirited Zimbabwean side.

Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing the curtain down on a glorious career that spanned 14 years and included 123 Tests - 68 of them as captain - in which he scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.85.

Kohli said in social media, "As I step away from this format, it's not easy - but it feels right. I've given it everything I had, and it's given me back so much more than I could've hoped for. I'm walking away with a heart full of gratitude - for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way. I'll always look back at my Test career with a smile."

The first T20 International cricket match between the touring Sri Lanka team and the visiting Zimbabwe team is scheduled to take place today at 5:00 PM at Harare Sports Club.

The Sri Lankan team will be led by captain Charith Asalanka, while Sikandar Raza will captain the Zimbabwean side.

Sri Lanka had previously won both One Day International (ODI) matches played against Zimbabwe.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announces the postponement of the remaining eight matches of the HBL PSL X.

The last 24 hours have seen a worsening of the situation on the LOC, increased incursion of 78 drones, and the firing of surface to surface missiles from India.

The decision to postpone has been taken pursuant to advice received from the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif who has kept in view the reckless aggression from India that has escalated to a point where national attention and sentiments are rightly focused on the courageous efforts of the Armed Forces of Pakistan who are vociferously upholding the sovereignty of our beloved Pakistan.

The PCB and its players stand resolutely in solidarity with the families of the martyrs and our security personnel defending the nation.

The PCB recognizes the efforts and support of its partners, franchises, participating players, broadcasters, sponsors, and organizers in having ensured the smooth conduct of the tournament thus far, however; cricket while being a unifying force and a source of joy, must take a respectful pause when the country is facing such callous opposition.

We, at the PCB, also have sincere regard for the mental well-being of participating players and the sentiments of our foreign players, and we respect the concerns of their families who want to see them back home.

Yevan David has become the first driver to be confirmed for the 2026 FIA Formula 3 season, with AIX Racing announcing his signing for next season.

David is currently competing in the Euroformula Open Championship where he has taken four race victories so far this season and a further five podium results. He also achieved a top 10 finish in GB3 at the beginning of August.

Prior to that, David competed in the Eurocup-3, Spanish F4 and UAE F4 Championships in 2024 in what was his first full season of single-seater racing after graduating from karts.

He is now set to become the first driver from Sri Lanka to compete in FIA F3. Speaking about his signing with AIX, the 18-year-old said he was proud to become the first driver from his country to compete in the Championship and was grateful for the opportunity.

“Very thankful to have this opportunity to be racing as the first Sri Lankan driver in Formula 3, and with AIX racing. They’ve proved themselves and I’m excited to achieve great milestones with them for the season ahead.”

Sri Lanka, India, and South Africa will play a One-Day Tri-Nation series during the months of April-May.

All games will be played at the RPICS, Colombo, and the tournament will be kicked off with Sri Lanka and India facing each other.

Each team will play four games, and the top two teams will qualify to play the finals on the 1lth of May, 2025.

The matches will be played as Day Games.

Sri Lanka’s Rasara Wijesuriya set a new national record in the women’s 5000m event.

She achieved the feat during the final at the 2025 University Games, clocking a time of 15 minutes and 52.6 seconds.

It marked her personal best performance, securing 11th place in the race.

Australia’s 174-run defeat marked their biggest ODI defeat by runs against Sri Lanka on Friday, eclipsing an 82-run loss at the same venue in 2016.

Hosts Sri Lanka dampened Australia’s preparations for the Champions Trophy as they recorded a thumping 174-run victory in the second ODI to seal the series 2-0 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday.

With their Champions Trophy preparations already staggered by the absence of their star pacers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood and all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis (retired), the series defeat serves as a huge blow to the ODI World Cup champions.

After opting to bat first, Charith Asalanka’s men put on a hefty 281/5 on the board on the back of wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis’ stroke-filled century.

Captain Asalanka and Janith Liyanage then provided a strong finish with their 35-ball 66-run partnership for the fifth wicket. While Asalanka remained unbeaten on 78 off 66 balls, Liyanage struck 32 in 21 balls.

Source: The Indian Express

--Agencies

Sri Lanka’s athletes delivered impressive performances at the Taiwan Athletics Open 2025, securing two podium finishes.

Dilhani Lekamge claimed the silver medal in the women’s javelin throw with an outstanding throw of 56.62 metres, reinforcing her status as one of Sri Lanka’s top field athletes.

Meanwhile, Chamod Yodasinghe earned bronze in the highly competitive men’s 100m final, clocking a swift 10.38 seconds to finish among the top sprinters.

Charith Asalanka has been named captain of the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year for 2024, with Kusal Mendis included as the wicketkeeper.

Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga are also part of the squad.

The ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year 2024 not only offers quality, as expected but also a great balance of star power, consistency and versatility.