Kumar Sangakkara’s Many Steps towards Reconciliation and Sensible Institutional Governance-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis In July 1983 Chokshanada and Kumari Sangakkara – in step with some Sinhalese, Malay and Burgher and other Sri Lankan families and in implicit opposition to the actions of Sinhalese people of violence –sheltered a number of Tamils who were in severe danger from the assaults on person and property that was a frightening element of the pogrom that occurred then. Many Sinhalese families in the central and southern districts protected their neighbours and/or friends in this manner. In conjectural manner, one can say that humane considerations and cultural traditions of alms-giving and amity informed such actions — a dimension of riots/pogroms in southern Asia that has been sidelined in historical studies of various “riots” in southern Asia. Perhaps inspired thus and perhaps encouraged also by the ecumenical spirit nurtured by his parents as well as Trinity College, Kumar and Yehali Sangakkara have ...

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Nostalgia of evoking courageous labours of Hon Late Gamini Dissanayake in conquering Test status – by Sunil Thenabadu The endeavours of the late Gamini Dissanayake, while holding several Ministerial Portfolios other than spearheading the Mahaweli project, have helped vastly to uplift to a large extent the basic living standards, especially of the average citizen and made a tremendous impact on the economic revival of the country, which is of course is no exaggeration. Besides being dynamically engaged in our development progression, he found the time to be actively involved in the game of cricket; having held office as the President of the Board of Control of Cricket in Sri Lanka, (BCCSL, now known as Sri Lanka Cricket,SLC) from June 1981 to June 1989 and thereafter, for a brief period of four months, immediately prior to his tragic death in 1994; during which period he made loads of momentous contributions. Throughout the tenure ...

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Sri Lanka celebrate turnaround of fortunes, but are they the real deal? – By TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports Editor) Image Source : islandcricket Wannindu Hasarsnga de Silva celebrated his elevation to the Sri Lanka T20 captaincy by leading from the front to steer his home team to an unassailable series triumph over Afghanistan in Dambulla. Sri Lanka continued their dominance over the Afgans with this win,  but the visitors are quickly closing the gap in a format where their raw talent has taken the cricketing world by storm. Lesser teams with better structure often falter when on tour,  but Afghanistan refuse to be overawed by anyone or any situation trusting their natural ability against the best teams in the world with their fighting spirit and inborn determination.  In the first game it was Hasarsnga’s effort, this time with the bat, as Sri Lanka struggled to 160 in their allotted overs. ...

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Nissanka, Fernando and Mendis lead Sri Lanka blitz and bowlers complete series clean sweep. T20 series should decide new look Sri Lanka revival. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor) Yes, for quite a spell there was reason to believe Sri Lanka cricket was hit and miss, they have now dispelled that theory with another comprehensive thrashing of Afghanistan to take them to a 3-0 series sweep in the one-dayers in Pallekelle. Afghanistan won the toss in anticipation of gaining an advantage, but the gamble backfired as Sri Lanka’s search for depth turned up trumps as their reshuffled bowling attack restricted them to a gettable target. Pace and a new look spin attack bowled the Afgans out for 266 in 48.2 overs proving there’s plenty in the tank if needed. No Hasarsnga, Theekshana, and Chameera made little difference as Pramod Madushan 3 for 45, Asitha Fernando 2 for ...

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Batters hit top gear as Sri Lanka smash Afganistan to a series win – Same team but different mindset appears to be selectors master-stroke – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE  (eLanka Sports editor) Sri Lanka shed their ‘inconsistency’ tag thrashing Afganistan by 155 runs while lightning up the hills of Pallekelle to the dawning of a welcome form turnaround, and silencing their critics in the process. Teetering on the edge of being written off in all formats, Sri Lanka appear to have discovered the correct horses for courses strategy from the available talent, and Coach Chris Silverwood can breathe easy as the new selection committee goes about putting together the pieces and the right squads for the different formats. There’s no disputing the talent in Sri Lanka cricket, but issues off field has derailed the games administration creating an unwanted distraction to their performances on the field. The new look ...

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Angelo Matthews, Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne lead Sri Lanka cricket revival. Experienced trio save Sri Lanka some blushes against Afghanistan – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor) Afganistan showed the cricketing world that their lack of Test cricket experience will not be a long term deterrent as they made Sri Lanka sweat before recording a ten wicket win in Colombo.  The plucky Afgans looked done and dusted when they folded for 198 in a sorry first innings effort. But they fought back with bat and ball after Sri Lanka’s batters galloped to a 241- run first innings lead. Their batters then hit their straps to give Sri Lanka some anxious moments overhauling the deficit without any discomfort against an attack that destroyed them in the first innings.  Sr Lanka’s pacemen found their early success hard to replicate as the wicket appeared to flatten out to batter friendly conditions ...

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SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS – By Victor Melder Chairman of cricket selectors Upul Tharanga said that Dhananjaya de Silva has been appointed the new captain of the Sri Lanka Test team succeeding Dimuth Karunaratne. Kusal Mendis will be the vice-captain. De Silva will become the country’s 18th Test captain when he leads Sri Lanka in the one-off Test against Afghanistan next month.  Karunaratne was Sri Lanka’s Test captain from 2018-19 till 2023 leading his country in 28 Tests with 12 wins, 10 losses and 6 draws. He captained Sri Lanka to three series victories, a rare 2-0 win in South Africa making Sri Lanka the only Asian country to win a series in Rainbow Nation in 2018-19, and 2-0 wins against West Indies (2021) and Ireland (2023). (Daily Financial Times, 6.1.2024) The first One Day International (ODI), played at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, between the touring Zimbabweans and Sri Lanka, ended ...

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Sri Lanka Cricket suspension lifted – Article sent by Johann Jayasinha The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board has today lifted the suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with immediate effect. ICC Headquarters in Dubai SLC was suspended in November for being in serious breach of its obligations as an ICC Member, in particular, the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and ensure that there is no government interference in the governance, regulation and / or administration of cricket in Sri Lanka. The Board have been monitoring the situation since the suspension and are now satisfied that SLC are no longer in breach of membership obligations. ...

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Embarrassed Sri Lanka answers critics in merciless fashion- Hasarsnga and Matthews lead Zimbabwe rout in decider- BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor) Sri Lanka responded like a team stung by embarrassment smashing Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the T20 decider in Colombo. After two nail biters in the first two encounters, Sri Lanka hit their straps to set the record straight humiliating the Zimbabwean’s in a one-sided game that didn’t go the distance anticipated. New skipper Wannindu Hasarsnga De Silva underlined his liking to the new role leading from the front with a bamboozling performance with the ball to reduce Zimbabwe to rubble making Sri Lanka’s batting woes with less pressure to deal with. Hasarsnga mesmerised Zimbabwe’s batters to claim 4 fir 15 off 4 overs, Matthews 2 for 15and Maheesh Theeksheena 2 fir14 to destroy Zimbabwe to 82 all out. Angelo Matthews rectified his bowling embarrassment in ...

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