In response to a question raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Buddhika Pathirana, Rajapaksa also said steps would be taken to recover an overdue payment to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) from the LPL rights holders Innovation Production Group (IPG).

Renown SC, Ratnam SC, Blue Star SC, Defenders FC and Red Stars SC were drawn in Group A while Up Country Lions SC, Sea Hawks SC, New Youngs FC, Colombo FC and Blue Eagle SC are in Group B.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is ’’likely’’ to go ahead with the tour of West Indies, it is learnt.

The Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA), with the aim of kick-starting the much looked forward to Under19 inter-schools cricket season which has been on hold due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, has drawn up a plan to conduct an Under-1

“Definitely, the players are supposed to perform well when we pay them. If they don’t, they have no right to be in the team.”

The four-member committee includes fellow Cricket World Cup winners Roshan Mahanama and Muttiah Muralitharan, with former national captain and current Marylebone Cricket Club President Kumar Sangakkara also a member of the committee.

Incumbent President of SLC Shammi Silva is expected to seek re-election, with former Vice President K. Mathivanan expected to challenge him.

It was earlier scheduled to be held from September 19 to 30 last year but could not be held because of the viral outbreak.

’’Arthur has been shifted from his hotel (Taj Samudra) and Lahiru from his home,’’ a source said.

It is learnt that since Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara are members the National Sports Council, they are likely to sit in Cricket Committee meetings on invitation.

Thirimanne was part of a 36-member training squad that was has been preparing for the upcoming tour of West Indies, with players divided into three groups and practicing at different times.

Sri Lanka’s top order batsman Kusal Mendis, who turned 26 on Tuesday will tie knot on 12th February.

Wickramaratna won a keenly contested final 12/10, 11/6, 6/11, 11/9 against Silva, a recipient of a sponsorship by Crysbro under the ‘Next Olympic Hope’ programme initiated by the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka.

Ravindu Laksiri and Fathoum Issadeen were crowned champions at the 40th National Squash Championships conducted by Sri Lanka Squash.

MuthumaliPriyadarshani of Sri Lanka Navy won a thrilling women’s singles final 3-2 against JitharaWarnakulasooriya of Ladies College, Colombo to win the annual MaheepalaHerath All Island Table Tennis Challenge Trophy Tournament held at the Kegalle

The Minister met officials of SLC on Wednesday, where several suggestions were agreed upon, with the Minister giving SLC a March 1 deadline by which to implement these changes.

The 24th Senior Asian Athletic Championship has been cancelled by the Chinese Athletic Association since there is no improvement in the containment of the coronavirus outbreak.

Ranatunga said that the current Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) administration should resign from their posts.

Organising committee members from both schools, when contacted by the DailyMirror, were non-committal with regard to revealing proposed dates or venues but shared that a decision on the matter is likely to be made public next week.

While lauding Sri Lanka’s efforts of reaping a harvest of 262 medals at the 2019 South Asian Games (SAG), the minister said it is no big deal to win medals at the regional event. He said Sri Lanka’s focus should not be the SAG but winning laurels

De Mel, who last week stepped down as Team Manager citing the same reason, confirmed his resignation to the Daily Mirror on Wednesday.

Lahiru Thirimanne’s five slip catches in England’s first innings during the recently concluded second Test in Galle equalled a Test record, and was just the 13th such instance.

It was almost embarrassing to watch England’s batsmen show more proficiency and technique in playing in tough, spinning conditions, showing the caution that Sri Lanka threw to the wind yesterday – ostensibly what the home team’s batsmen conside

England scored 164-4, with Sibley 56 not out and Jos Buttler unbeaten on 46 as they overcame jittery moments to complete a 2-0 series triumph.

The current team manager and the chief selector de Mel who was a stop-gap arrangement has decided to seek a break. He will, however, continue to be the chairman of the selection committee.

’’Obviously, I am disappointed but hope he will do well,” his mentor and childhood coach Isuru Anushka, who now resides in Australia, said.

Rob Lewis, the sole member of the Barmy Army who chose to stay back in Sri Lanka for ten months in anticipation of England returning to tour Sri Lanka, was present during the first Test as well.

Angelo Mathews scored a stubborn century to take Sri Lanka to 229-4 on the first day of the second Test against England on Friday after early strikes by James Anderson made the home side look vulnerable.

The hosts have lost their last five home Tests against England and defeat in the second Test, which starts at the Galle International Stadium today, will see Sri Lanka lose consecutive Tests in Galle for the first time.

Fast-bowlers Binura Fernando and Chamika Karunaratne are said to have returned positive tests, but reportedly have not come in contact with other national players.