News

Confident SL women cricketers meet Kiwis in 1st ODI

Published

3 months ago

March 5, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka women’s cricket team led by Chamari Athapaththu will meet New Zealand women in their first ODI of the three match series today at McLean Park Napier, commencing at 6.30a.m (Sri Lanka time).

Before the ODI series Sri Lanka team got a chance to play two warm up games which gave good match practice to adjust to the conditions.

Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu said New Zealand tram is strong and we have to put up a challenge against them during this series as they have more youngsters and they have to get good experience playing in those conditions. I have previous experience in New Zealand having played matches also in franchise leagues but most important is to adjust to the conditions to get success in this series.

Weather conditions and ground conditions are different compared to our home conditions. Our team is ready to play good cricket during this series. Here in New Zealand more seam and bouncy wicket and our fast bowlers have to adjust to that and our senior fast bowler Udeshika Prabodhani will be missed this time due to hamstring injury and young Malki Madara the left arm fast bowler replaced her and this is a good opportunity to young Madara and hope she will do her best. The uncapped fast bowlers Chethana Vimukthi, 19 year old Rashmika Sewwandi and Achini Kulasuriya who have previous experience with the National team are the other fast bowlers of the side.

Skipper Athapaththu further said both Sri Lanka and New Zealand already qualified for the world cup and this series is very important for both teams. We had four months break but domestic cricket and practice matches gave good chance to players while myself was busy with league cricket which always give good exposure and we all are in good form to play this series. Half of the team is very young and this time we brought two under 19 players Manudi Nanayakkara and Rashmika Sewwandi both are good up and coming players who are talented while young opener Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kaveesha Dilhari also in good form and hope they will repeat their performances in this series said Skipper Chamari Athpaththu.

This is a good opportunity for our youngsters and they have to get more experience before world cup and we want to execute our plans to get success and every match always challenge to us especially playing in this conditions all players have to realize their duty to do their best concluded skipper Chamari Athapatthu who joined the team midway of the women’s Premier league (WPL) from India.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka team happy about their preparation with two warm up games before the ODI series.

The first warm up game Sri Lanka lost to New Zealand cricket President’s XI but Sri Lanka scored 244 all out in 49.4 overs. Vishmi Gunarane (61), Kaveesha Dilhari (48), Manudi Nanayakkara(34)Imesha Dulani (26) made useful contributions in this first game. The second warm up game Sri Lankan lasses won in which Vishmi Gunaratne (52), Manudi Nanayakkara((58) were among the runs. Sachini Nisansala had fine figures of 4 for 43 while Achini Kaushalya took 2 for 39 to get victory over New Zealand cricket Presidents X1.

Meanwhile experienced Suzie Bates will lead the New Zealand team in the absence of full-time ODI captain Sophie Devine, who is on a well-earned break Amelia Kerr will also miss the series as she is in India representing Mumbai Indians at the WPL.

New Zealand have picked a young uncapped trio of Emma McLeod, batter Izzy Sharp and left-arm seamer Bree llling for this series against Sri Lanka. The squad of 16 also sees the return of Georgia Plimmer after recovering from a bone stress reaction in her hip which had sidelined her since November.

Sri Lankan women will play the second and third ODI on March 7 and 9 followed by the T-20 series.

Sri Lanka women’s squad: Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani, Manudi Nanayakkara, Imesha Dulani, Achini Kulasuriya, Sachini Nisansala, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Inoshi Priyadarshini, Sugandika Kumari, Rashmika Sewwandi, Chethana Vimukthi, Malki Madara.

New Zealand squad: Suzie Bates (capt), Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing , Polly Inglis, Bella James, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Emma McLeod, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe.

(dailynews.lk)
(This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

03 remanded over shooting of Halloluwa’s vehicle

Published

48 minutes ago

May 26, 2025

editor

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court on May 24 ordered to remand 03 suspects over the shooting of Thusitha Halloluwa’s vehicle.

They have been remanded until May 29.

The remanded suspects include the shooter’s wife, who was arrested at a Maharagama housing complex.

Officers from the Colombo Crime Division (CCD), who are investigating the shooting incident further state that the other 02 arrested are the security guard of the housing complex and a person who was traveling with the shooter.

Investigations have also revealed that the security guard of the apartment complex alerted the shooter about the police arrival during the raid, leading the shooter to flee immediately.

The vehicle of Thusitha Halloluwa – the former DG of Public Relations to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was shot in Narahenpita on May 17.

News

Basil Rajapaksa absent from court; bail not revoked

Published

50 minutes ago

May 26, 2025

editor

Matara Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa recently ordered Basil Rajapaksa – founder of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and former Finance Minister, to appear before the Matara Magistrate’s Court on November 21.

The Magistrate made the order when he took up an existing case regarding a land in the Eliyakanda area of Matara that was purchased using allegedly illegally earned money of Rs.50 million.The FCID had filed this case against Basil Rajapaksa and 04 other defendants in 2017 over the alleged purchase of a 1.5 acre land in Eliyakanda, Matara under the name of his wife’s sister, using Rs.50 million allegedly obtained through illegal means.

The first suspect in this case is Tissa Galappaththi, the second suspect is Muditha Jayakody, the third suspect is former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and the fourth suspect is Ayomi Galappaththi, the sister of the former Minister’s wife.The first suspect in this case is Tissa Galappaththi, the second is Muditha Jayakody, the third is former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and the fourth is Ayomi Galappaththi, the sister of Rajapaksa’s wife.

While the first 02 suspects, who are out on bail, appeared in court, Basil Rajapaksa and Ayomi Galappaththi were absent.

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, representing the Attorney General’s Department, noted that while Basil had been granted court permission to travel abroad until May 23, he failed to appear without a reasonable excuse and requested that his bail be revoked and a warrant issued.

In defense, President’s Counsel Anil Silva stated that his client had booked return flights for May 18 and 19, but US doctors had advised Rajapaksa against flying for 06 months after he had fallen off a chair, sustaining damage to his neck and nerves.

Girihagama questioned the claim, stating that the X Rays only indicated a neck sprain and a minor muscle strain. Noting that the medical reports were dated March 18, 2025, it was also questioned as to why tickets were booked for May 18 and 19 if doctors had actually advised against flying for 06 months. Therefore, Girihagama called for the court to revoke bail.

President’s Counsel Silva strongly defended his client, rejecting accusations of faking illness, affirming the credibility of US medical reports, and assuring the court of his client’s presence at the next hearing, arguing there is no need for a warrant or revoke bail.

After hearing both sides, Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa decided not to issue a warrant or revoke bail, instructing that the accused be present on the next court date. The case was postponed to November 21.

(Source: Dinamina)

News

President Dissanayake pays last respects to cinema legend Malini Fonseka

Published

2 hours ago

May 26, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid his final respects yesterday (25) evening to the late veteran actress Malini Fonseka, fondly remembered as the “Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema.”

Her remains have been placed at the Tharangani Hall of the National Film Corporation, allowing the public to bid farewell to the beloved screen icon.

Malini Fonseka passed away in the early hours of May 24 at the age of 78 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

Her body was initially kept at her Madiwela residence before being moved to the National Film Corporation, where crowds continue to gather in tribute.

Among the dignitaries paying their respects were former Presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Chandrika Kumaratunga.

The final rites of the legendary actress will be held today (26) with full state honors at Independence Square.