Sizzling Athapaththu steers Sri Lanka to the top of T20 World Cup qualifiers. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor) Chamari Athapaththu spearheaded Sri Lanka’s empathic qualification to the Women’s T20 World Cup with another blistering century against Scotland in the final of the qualifiers. The enigmatic Sri Lankan superstar who is enjoying a purple patch over the past year smashed a quick- fire 102 off 63 balls to give the Lankans a commanding total of 169 for 5 in their allotment spraying the hapless Scottish attack to all parts. She hit 4 sixers and 13 fours in another astonishing performance. Sri Lanka then restricted Scotland for 101 for 7 in their quota for a comprehensive victory. Udeshika Prabodhani returned miserly figures of for 13 in her four overs to ensure victory. Athapaththu was fittingly named ICC’S one-day Cricketer for 2023 adding to a string of achievements and ...
Sri Lanka stun Kazakhstan 45-7 in a brilliant demolition job to advance to the big stage. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor) Sri Lanka shook off the cobwebs and produced a scintillating display of fast open rugby to thrash highly rated Kazakhstan 45-7 signalling a return to the top rung of Asian Rugby. After a big win over India in soggy conditions that deprived both teams of the skills expected, the Lankans were more composed and brilliant in their execution as they nullified weight and stature disadvantage to rattle their opponents before running away with the game. Sri Lanka took number one spot with this win in the four nation tournament in Colombo and advanced to the top tier where they will endeavour to rebuild their reputation against top sides Japan, Hong Kong, China and other top nations in the Asian region. In ideal conditions underfoot ...
Sri Lanka rout India after sluggish start to qualifiers for Rugby Asiad. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor) Five years in Rugby wilderness did have an impact on Sri Lanka’s standards, but they steadied to rout India 45-10 at the Asian region top tier Rugby qualification at the Racecourse ground in Colombo. Political interference and issues off the field relegated Sri Lanka Rugby to the sidelines while the country struggled for redress. With the air cleared now, they have to qualify to play in the Asiad featuring powerhouses Japan, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and other top nations in the region. The win over India catapulted them into the final with Kazakhstan and indications suggest that Sri Lanka, who has been a fierce competitor in the past, can regain their lost mojo in the fifteen man game. Political interference and power struggles with administrators in sport ...
Chamari Athapaththu, a jewel in the crown of Sri Lanka grabbing number one spot in one-day batting. -BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor) Reward for effort is an age old adage that draws parallels with Sri Lanka’s brilliant cricketing all-rounder Chamari Athapaththu who has sky-rocketed to number one batter in the world in the one-day format. She’s been there before but has been overrun by stars from other nations. But the fierce competitive spirit has her back on top of the world and challenging her followers, “catch me if you can”. The 34 year old left handed batting sensation who smacked a world record unbeaten 195 in a winning run chase against South Africa recently, is in the twilight of her career. But she has shelved plans to walk away from the game until she is satisfied that her beloved country continues on their recent upward trend in the ...
Off the beaten track but on track for a fantastic cause is CDF. BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. “Off the beaten track” emphatically encapsulates an ambitious CDF humanitarian project that has minimised time consuming medical aid and transport to patients in the outer regions of Sri Lanka where this service is urgently needed most. The Cyril Dharmawardena Foundation, (CDF) or it’s mission statement, (Compassion, Dedication, Fulfilment), provide non emergency transport vehicles that ferry patients from the villages and outer areas from the major cities in cases of injury and serious illness. The facility mainly provides non-emergency transport to the sick and impoverished in remote and rural communities in Sri Lanka who have been hampered with modern methods of transport for decades. Binara Dharmawardena, son of the late Cyril, heads this important interaction between Australia and Sri Lanka which has been ongoing for a decade. It was a dedication he committed ...
Chamari Athapaththu underlines her superiority as one of the Wrld’s best. Epic 195 sinks South Africa in world record run chase. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor) True grit and a never say die attitude is what champions are made of. Sri Lanka is definitely blessed with one in brilliant Chamari Athapaththu who single-handedly steered her country to a massive victory over South Africa while breaking many world records along the way with it. Chasing what seemed like an improbable target of 301, Sri Lanka’s skipper waded into a hapless South African attack with the deft and dexterity of the now established world champion, spraying them to all parts as Sri Lanka galloped past the target with 33 balls to spare. Her 195 not out, the third highest individual score, off only 139 deliveries with 26 fours and 5 sixers will remain in the annals of history ...
Sri Lankan band Mirage’s final appearance, as they signed off in style after a third sellout performance. – By Trevine Rodrigo (eLanka – Melbourne) Temperatures soared in Melbourne to nearly 40 degrees Celsius but it did little to discourage a capacity crowd attending Sri Lankan band Mirage’s final appearance, as they signed off in style after a third sellout performance. Event organisers Chris and Annie Cannon were apologetic at the hurried change of plan due to the extreme weather conditions that forced everyone inside the venue and making the hall a bit overcrowded. But the clamour for tickets could have made it worse if a cap was not put on it leaving about a hundred interested patrons disappointed. However, there was no doubt it was an outstanding success, music and delicious food wise. Thai Street Food can take a bow in that respect. From a Mirage perspective, the tour was ...
The clan in Melbourne rally round to celebrate veteran Mirage leader Donald Pieries birthday at a Thai Street Food surprise party – by Trevine Rodrigo (eLanka – Melbourne) The clan in Melbourne rally round to celebrate veteran Mirage leader Donald Pieries birthday at a Thai Street Food surprise party. It was a wonderful night of scrumptious Food and banter, and a bemused birthday boy was treated to a wide array of presents apart from a special birthday cake made by Anne’s sister Faye. The fabulous Mirage band, Donald’s wife Jean, and a few invitees showed up to make his day memorable. You can also visit eLanka Facebook page and view the same content – Click here ...
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. ...
Mirage returned to Australia and reminded their fans that they are not a spent force. Actually far from it – by Trevine Rodrigo (eLanka – Melbourne) The popular Sri Lankan band was here at the invitation of Bertie and Frank Ekanaike for a Valentine’s day dinner dance at the Grand on Princes in aid of their old school, St. John’s College Nugegoda in Sri Lanka. Donald Pieries, Benjy Ranabahu , Manilal Perera and the new faces on the line-up were a treat to watch as they reeled off a wide repertoire of music that had dance goers in awe at their versatility. Their vast experience in the music industry over several decades was very evident as they blended with the new additions to give off a polished performance. Mirage was recently in the Seychelles Islands wowing crowds over there and their popularity has opened several doors for a return to that ...
