SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS
(MARCH 2025)
Compiled by Victor Melder
Sri Lankan cricketer Ashen Bandara was arrested on Saturday after it was alleged that he had assaulted his neighbour following a parking-related issue. He has since been granted bail, and is expected to appear in court on March 12. According to the Sri Lanka police, the incident occurred on Saturday evening in Kolamunna, Piliyandala, where Bandara resides. Following an argument over a parked vehicle blocking the road, Bandara is alleged to have entered his neighbour’s house and assaulted the individual. “On Saturday evening one of the neighbours had complained of Bandara causing trouble, and that he had trespassed into someone’s house,” the Sri Lanka police said. “The verbal confrontation had then escalated into a physical one. He was arrested on suspicion of assault on Saturday night and bailed out on the same day.” When contacted for comment, Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva said they would require further information on the incident before deciding on a course of action. De Silva also noted that while Bandara is not presently contracted centrally, he is under contract with Police SC in Sri Lanka’s National Super League, as such he could be liable for sullying the reputation of SLC. “We first need to look at the contract and also look at the incident. If he is thought to have brought SLC into disrepute, then there is further action that we can take,” de Silva said. “So we will discuss the matter internally and if it warrants an inquiry we will conduct one.” Bandara, 26, a middle-order batter renowned for his fielding, has played six ODIs and six T20Is. He last played for Sri Lanka in October 2023 as part of a largely second-string squad in the Asian Games. He last turned out for the first XI in January 2023. (Cricinfo, 8.3.2025)
A superb century by skipper Kumar Sangakkara paved the way to take Sri Lanka masters to the semi-finals of the International Masters League (IML) after beating England Masters by 9 wickets in their game played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium Raipur on Monday. This is Sri Lanka Masters’ fourth win and they are on top of the points table which ensures a semi-final slot. Sri Lanka Masters won the toss and opted to bowl first against England Masters in the 13th game of IML. England managed to score 146 runs for 5 wickets while opener Phil Mustard was the successful batsman scoring 39 ball 50 with 3 fours and 3 sixes and finally Isuru Udana took his wicket. Sri Lanka started their chase as former wicket keeper batter Romesh Kaluwitharana and Kumar Sangakkara came to bat as openers. Upul Tharanga the usual opener who scored century against Australia game was rested for this game. The stylish left hander Sangakkara was in good form to make shots all over the grounds and he reached his century in 47 balls. Kaluwitharana the veteran opener departed for 16 in 18 balls and pair made a remarkable partnership of 108 runs in 9.1 overs. Asela Gunaratne joined Sangakkara and a second wicket unbroken 42 run stand sealed the victory in 12.5 overs with 7.1 overs to spare . Sangakkara who was named player of the match struck an unbeaten 106 in 47 balls with 19 fours and a winning six over from spinner Monty Panesar. Sri Lanka Masters having four wins over Australia, West Indies, South Africa and England lost to India in their opening game. However Sri Lanka and India both having four wins each ( India lost to Australia) but Sri Lanka on top with highest run rate of 1.400 and India in second place with 1.036 run rate. Sri Lanka will meet either Australia or West Indies masters (4th place of the table) in their semi-final on March 14 while India will meet third placed team in the semi-final. Both Australia and West Indies have a game to decide third place. Scores:
England Masters 146 for 5 wickets in 20 overs Phil Mustard 50, Eoin Morgan 10, Tim Ambrose 17, Darren Maddy 15,Tim Bresnan 18*,Chris Tremlett 14*,Isuru Udana 1/21,Dilruwan Perera 1/29,Asela Gunaratne 1/21, Chathuranga de Silva 1/24, Jeewan Mendis 1/22
Sri Lanka masters 150 for 1 wicket in 12.5 overs Kumar Sangakkara 108*, Romesh Kaluwitharana 16, Asela Gunaratne 22*, Dimitri Mascarenhas 1/24 (Daily News, 12.3.2025)
Sri Lanka Cricket ODI Captain Charith Asalanka and Test Cricket Captain Dhanajaya De Silva have filed writ petitions before the Court of Appeal challenging the classification of Sri Lanka’s national cricketers as employees of the national association, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). When the matter was taken up before the Court of Appeal, the writ petition was fixed for further support on March 28 by Court of Appeal (Acting President) Justice Mohammed Laffar and Justice K. Priyantha Fernando. The petitioners filed the petition seeking for notice to quash the decision of the Inland Revenue Department and an interim order to suspend the decision of the IRD. The petitioners filed this application seeking judicial review on behalf of all national cricketers of Sri Lanka who are deeply affected by the alleged arbitrary and unlawful decisions of the RID and the actions of the SLC on categorising national contracted cricketers as employees of SLC. Counsel Nishan Sydney Premathiratne appeared with Shenali Dias and Sidath Gajayanaka on the instructions of Gamindu Karunasena for the petitioners, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya De Silva. President’s Counsel Kuvera de Soyza with Pasindu Bandara and Sajana de Soyza on the instructions of Sanjay Fonseka represented Sri Lanka Cricket. Deputy Solicitor General Manohara Jayasinghe appeared for the Inland Revenue Departement. A letter signed by 38 national cricketers, including players Wanindu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews, Maheesh Theekshana, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis setting out the grievance and endorsing the petitioners to seek appropriate legal redress on the unlawful classification was also placed before Court. (Daily Mirror, 19.3.2025)
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) denied paying a sum of Rs. 150,000 as a salary to Deshabandu Tennakoon as alleged by SJB MP Hesha Withanage during the Parliamentary debate yesterday. SLC said in a statement that it categorically states that Sri Lanka Cricket has not made any payment, provided any laptop, mobile phone or other perks to Deshabandu Tennakoon, nor has he been engaged as a consultant or in any other capacity with SLC. “Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to categorically deny and strongly refute the baseless and false allegations made by MP Hesha Withanage during the Parliamentary debate on the Appropriation Bill held on 18th March 2025. During the said debate, MP Withanage alleged that Sri Lanka Cricket has paid a sum of Rs. 150,000/= as a salary to Deshabandu Tennakoon, then Inspector General of Police, and further claimed that SLC had provided him with a laptop, mobile phone, and other perks as per an Executive Committee decision. It was also asserted that these actions amounted to bribery and that the officials of Sri Lanka Cricket should be held accountable under the provisions of law for offering a bribe. Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to firmly state that these allegations are completely false, baseless, and devoid of any factual foundation, SLC said in the statement. “We wish to state that Sri Lanka Cricket is acutely aware of its primary responsibility to ensure the highest level of security for foreign national teams, international tours, players, events, and visiting dignitaries, including state heads. As such, SLC continuously engages with Sri Lanka’s security personnel, including high-ranking army personnel and senior police officers, to maintain the safety and security of all involved. In this regard, it is a common and essential practice to enlist the support of both active and retired high-ranking officers to ensure comprehensive safety measures during international cricket tours. During the period when Deshabandu Tennakoon served as the Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Western Province, SLC sought his expertise on security matters related to international tours. This request was made during a time when the country was experiencing a “New Normal’ situation emanating out of t precautions to implement the “Covid Protocols’ enforced by the health authorities to ensure the safety of the players and officials engaged in playing international and domestic cricket tournaments. It is such measures that helped Sri Lanka Cricket conduct several international and domestic tournaments during the said time without any hindrance. Following our request, as a mark of professionalism and adherence to official protocols, Tennakoon conveyed to SLC that he would require prior authorization from higher authorities due to his active duty status. Subsequently, Tennakoon informed SLC that, as an active police officer, he was not authorized to undertake any special tasks outside his official duties. Nonetheless, he assured his readiness to provide necessary security assistance as required, considering the national significance of such engagements. Sri Lanka Cricket strongly condemns the unfounded and misleading statements made by MP Hesha Withanage under parliamentary privileges and urges responsible conduct when making public statements to avoid causing unnecessary harm to the reputation and integrity of institutions and individuals,” the statement added. (Daily Mirror, 19.3.2025)
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed Chamara Silva as the Head Coach of the Under-19 National Team effective from 1 March 2025 to 31 December 2026.. Silva, a former Sri Lanka international cricketer, is an ICC Level III Qualified Coach with extensive coaching experience in first-class cricket. Before joining SLC, he served as the Head Coach of Police Sports Club and previously coached Bloomfield Cricket Club and Panadura Sports Club. As a player, Silva represented Sri Lanka in 75 ODIs, 11 Tests, and 16 T20Is, amassing 2,269 international runs, including a limited-overs century. Chamara will be responsible for preparing the U-19 team for the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2026. (Ceylon Today, 26.3.2025)
