PickMe Calls for Urgent Police Action to Protect Independent Drivers and Public Safety in Tourist Zones
Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka PLC (PickMe), Sri Lanka’s leading homegrown digital mobility platform, has formally written to the Inspector General of Police expressing grave concern over escalating incidents of intimidation, obstruction, and unlawful interference and violence directed at independent transport providers operating voluntarily through ride-hailing applications in key tourist locations.
World’s Longest Highway Tunnel Opens in China’s Xinjiang Region
China has officially opened traffic on a major new expressway cutting through the Tianshan mountain range in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, marking a significant milestone in infrastructure development after more than five years of construction.
Malima MP Allegedly Verbally Abuses Grama Niladhari Officer Using Obscene Language
A female Grama Niladhari officer attached to the Mangala Eliya division in the Mundalama Divisional Secretariat has lodged a complaint with the Mundalama Police, alleging that National People’s Power (NPP / Malima) Puttalam District Member of Parliament Vimal Rohana verbally abused and threatened her with death using obscene language.
Athapaththu’s 64*, Madara’s 3-wicket debut guide Sri Lanka to victory
Debutant right-arm fast bowler Malki Madara delivered an impressive spell, taking 3 for 14, while skipper Chamari Athapaththu smashed an unbeaten 64 off 48 balls as Sri Lanka Women secured a 7-wicket victory over New Zealand Women in their first T20I in Christchurch yesterday.
This was Sri Lanka’s first-ever T20I win in New Zealand and their second victory overall against the White Ferns in this format.
New Zealand opted to bat first but struggled to build momentum as Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept them in check, bowling them out for 101 in 18.5 overs. The visitors then chased down the target in just 14.1 overs, with Athapaththu leading from the front, smashing 9 fours and 2 sixes in her match-winning knock.
Young opener Vishmi Gunaratne was dismissed early for 7 off 11 balls, with fast bowler Jess Kerr providing New Zealand with an early breakthrough. However, Athapaththu took full responsibility and guided her team to victory, securing a 1-0 series lead with 35 balls to spare.
Earlier, Emma McLeod was New Zealand’s top scorer. The number three batter hit three fours in her knock of 44 off 46 balls before becoming the final wicket to fall, as debutant Madara wrapped up the innings. Skipper Suzie Bates (21 off 14) was the only other player to reach double figures for the hosts.
Sri Lanka started with two spinners, Sugandika Kumari and Inoshi Priyadharshani, before introducing Madara as the fourth bowler. She did the damage with a 3.5-over spell, while Kavisha Dilhari (2/18) and Priyadharshani (2/25) provided solid support. Wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani was brilliant behind the stumps, completing three stumpings.
Madara was named Player of the Match on her T20I debut, while Manudi Nanayakkara, Sri Lanka’s Under-19 skipper, also made her senior debut in this game.
The two teams will meet again in the second T20I on Sunday (16) at the same venue.
Chief scores
New Zealand Women’s 101 all out in 18.5 overs Suzie Bates 21, Emma McLeod 44, Jess Kerr 10, Sugandika Kumari 1/16/Inoshi Priyadharshani 2/25, Malki Madara 3/14, Chamari Athapaththu 1/10, Kavisha Dilhari 2/18
Sri Lanka Women’s 102 for 3 wickets in 14.1 overs Chamari Athapaththu 64*, Kavisha Dilhari 12, Nilakshika Silva 12*, Jess Kerr 2/18.
Liyanage (51) and Bandara (84*) guide Jaffna to 227/7
Jeffrey Vandersay, the leg-spinner, took impressive figures of 6 for 86 as Colombo were all out for 386 in their first innings, while Jaffna reached 227 for 7 wickets at the close of the second day’s play in their NSL Four-Day Cricket fixture at Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
At one stage, Jaffna were struggling at 41 for 4 wickets, but skipper Janith Liyanage played a crucial knock of 51 in 105 balls, with 3 fours. Wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara also fought hard, remaining unbeaten on 84 from 214 balls, with 7 fours and a six. Despite their efforts, Jaffna still trail by 159 runs in the first innings. Colombo’s off-spinner, Nishan Peiris, was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 55.
Mendis’ 122 leads Galle to 602/9d
Meanwhile, Galle scored a massive total of 602 for 9 wickets declared in their first innings, while Kandy were 52 for 1 wicket at the close of the second day in their NSL Four-Day match at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota yesterday.
Galle’s overnight batter, Nipun Dhananjaya, who scored 135 on the first day, added just two more runs before being dismissed by Chamika Gunasekara. Deputy skipper Ramesh Mendis, who came in at number 7, played a superb knock of 122 in 199 balls with 10 fours. This marked his 11th first-class century. Dilum Sudeera provided excellent support, scoring an unbeaten 80 in 164 balls with 7 fours, marking his career-best first-class knock. Ramesh and Dilum added 139 runs for the 9th wicket to build their innings.
Kandy had a poor start in their first innings. Opener Pathum Nissanka hit a boundary off the first ball he faced but was dismissed off the next ball by Dilshan Madushanka. Lahiru Udara (36) and Kamil Mishara (10) remained unbeaten, adding 48 runs for the second wicket at the close of the day.
Chief scores
* At Galle International cricket stadium. Colombo 374/ 7 continued and 386 all out (Dushan Hementha 31, Murvin Abhinash 2/93, Jeffrey Vandersay 6/86). Jaffna 227 for 7 wickets at close (Shevon Daniel 13, Ravindu Rasantha 13, Janith Liyanage 51, Anjala Bandara 84*, ,Chamika Karunaratne 29, Jeffrey Vandersay 18, Nishan Pieris 3/55)
* At Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium Hambantota. Galle (resumed at 336 /4) and 602 for 9 wickets declared Nipun Dhananjaya 137, Dunith Wellalage 38, Ramesh Mendis 122, Nisala Tharaka 13, Dilum Sudeera 80*, Dilshan Madushanka 21*, Chamindu Wickrmasinghe 3/90, Ravindu Fernando 2/121 , Nuwanidu Fernando 2/59 Kandy 52 for 1 wicket at close (Lahiru Udara 36*, Kamil Mishara 10*).
Bloomfield all but assured SLC Major Club League title
.Vandersay, Ravindu bowl NCC out for 312
.Udara fights lone battle with 145
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Bloomfield had one hand on the SLC Major Club League title when they dismissed NCC for 312 in reply to their massive total of 508, to gain a first innings lead of 196 on the third day of the four-day final played at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Bloomfield did not enforce the follow-on but decided to bat a second time and finished the day on two without loss, stretching the overall lead to 198 going into the fourth and final day today. If the match ends in a draw, which looks a more likely result at this stage, the team that gains the first innings lead will be declared the winner.
NCC, who began their reply yesterday, lost the wicket of Niroshan Dickwella early for seven in the second over, but Lahiru Udara and Pathum Nissanka put them on course with a second wicket stand of 91. Following Nissanka’s dismissal for 29, a further partnership of 111 developed between Udara and Kamil Mishara (40) that placed NCC in a strong position at 209-2.
But Sri Lanka leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who had taken the wicket of Nissanka, broke the NCC middle order batting by dismissing Mishara and skipper Sahan Arachchige (4) within the space of 11 balls, which proved a big setback.
When off-spinner Ravindu Fernando accounted for Udara’s wicket, trapping him lbw for 145, NCC had lost their last ray of hope. Udara had held the innings together, hitting 14 fours and 3 sixes in a spirited knock that lasted 191 balls.
There was hardly any resistance forthcoming from the rest of the batting, apart from Kavin Bandara’s 36 off 63 balls. NCC’s innings folded up quickly, with the last five wickets falling for 26 runs.
Vandersay (4/64) and Fernando (3/84) shared the spoils with seven wickets between them.
Scores:
Bloomfield 508 and 2-0 at close
NCC 312 (Lahiru Udara 145, Pathum Nissanka 29, Kamil Mishara 40, Kavin Bandara 36, Jeffrey Vandersay 4/64, Ravindu Fernando 3/84)
India, Sri Lanka, South Africa to play women’s ODI tri-series in April-May
Sri Lanka will host India and South Africa for a women’s ODI tri-series in April and May, the Sri Lanka Cricket [SLC] announced on Thursday. This tri-series was not part of the Future Tours Programme originally.
Each team will play the others twice – making it four matches per team – before the top two teams play the final. The series will start with hosts Sri Lanka taking on India. All of them will be day games, played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo from April 27 to May 11.
Sri Lanka are currently on a white-ball tour of New Zealand, while most of India’s players are participating in the WPL at home. Some South African players are also at the WPL. Until this tri-series was announced, South Africa’s next international assignment was a tour of the West Indies in June.
This tri-series will give the three teams extra prep time in the lead up to the ODI World Cup in October this year in India.
Sri Lanka are currently the Asia Cup champions, while South Africa had reached the semi-finals of the last ODI World Cup, in 2022, after knocking India out in the league stages. India are, however, the highest-ranked of the three at third – South Africa are fourth and Sri Lanka seventh – in the ICC ODI rankings.
Sri Lanka women’s tri-series schedule
April 27, Sri Lanka vs India
April 29, India vs South Africa
May 1, Sri Lanka vs South Africa
May 4, Sri Lanka vs India
May 6, South Africa vs India
May 8, Sri Lanka vs South Africa
May 11, final
India, Sri Lanka, South Africa to feature in women’s ODI tri-series in Colombo
India, Sri Lanka and South Africa are all set to feature in a women’s ODI tri-series, to be held entirely at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo from April 27 to May 11, said Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
The opening game of the tri-series will be played between Sri Lanka and India on April 27. Each team will play four games, with the top two sides to qualify for the final to be played on May 11. SLC added that all the matches will be played as day games.
The tri-series serves as welcome development for India to finetune its preparation for the 13th edition of the Women’s ODI World Cup, which they are slated to play on their home soil later this year. This will be the last time of the tournament having eight teams, with Australia entering the competition as defending champions.
India will host the Women’s ODI World Cup for the fourth time after 1978, 1997 and 2013. India will also be hosting its first global women’s ICC tournament since 2016 T20 World Cup, which ran parallelly with the men’s event.
India’s last ODI assignment was hosting Ireland for a three-match series at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, which they won 3-0 in January. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are currently touring New Zealand for a three-match ODI series, with the opening game being washed out due to rain.
Women’s ODI Tri-Series schedule:
April 27 - Sri Lanka vs India
April 29 - India vs South Africa
May 1 - Sri Lanka vs South Africa
May 4 - Sri Lanka vs India
May 6 - South Africa vs India
May 8 - Sri Lanka vs South Africa
May 11 – Final
Viknaraj wins South Asian Cross Country C’ship
Sri Lankan Viknaraj Vakshan won the senior category of the South Asian Cross Country Championship held in Islamabad, Pakistan yesterday.
This is Vakshan’s first international experience representing the Sri Lanka Army. The 27-year-old athlete is a product of Talawakele Tamil MV.
In the under-20 junior category, a Pakistani athlete won the title while the silver medal went to Sri Lankan 19-year-old Shivagaran Thudiharshithan of Matale Hindu College who also took part in his first international event.
The Sri Lankan junior team also finished as the runner-up in the junior category.
England smashes record for highest total ever in ICC Champions Trophy history
England set a new record for the highest team total in ICC Champions Trophy history when it racked up 351 for eight in 50 overs against Australia at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.
England surpassed New Zealand’s 347 for four, set against USA back in 2004 at The Oval. England’s stellar batting performance was powered by opener Ben Duckett’s 143-ball 165. The left-handed opener registered the highest individual score in the history of the tournament, going past Nathan Astle’s unbeaten 145.
Duckett was well-supported by Joe Root’s 78-ball 68 and the duo put on a crucial 158-run stand for the third wicket to put England on course for a big total.
Jofra Archer, who remained unbeaten on 21 off 10 balls, smashed 12 runs off the last three balls of the innings to take England past the previous record.
Highest totals in ICC Champions Trophy history
• 351/8 (50) - England vs Australia - Lahore - 2025
• 347/4 (50) - New Zealand vs USA - The Oval - 2004
• 338/4 (50) - Pakistan vs India - The Oval - 2017
• 331/7 (50) - India vs South Africa - Cardiff - 2013
• 323/8 (50) - England vs South Africa - Centurion - 2009
• 322/3 (48.4) - Sri Lanka vs India - The Oval – 2017
Sachin, Yuvraj reunite as Indian Masters take on Sri Lanka in IML T20 opener
In a spectacle set to reignite nostalgia and cricketing rivalries, Indian cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh will return to the field as they lead India Masters in the opening clash of the inaugural International Masters League (IML) T20 2025 against Sri Lanka Masters at DY Patil Sports Academy here on Saturday.
The much-anticipated encounter brings together some of the finest cricketers from the past, rekindling the storied rivalry between India and Sri Lanka. With over 34,000 international runs and 100 centuries to his name, Tendulkar is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Despite his dominance across formats, he featured in just one T20 International for India, making this return in the shortest format a special occasion.
Yuvraj, a key contributor to India’s triumphs in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and 2007 T20 World Cup, expressed excitement about donning the Indian colours again. “India versus Sri Lanka has always been an intense battle, and this match will be no different. Playing alongside legends, especially with Sachin Paaji leading us, is a thrilling experience. The fans are in for a treat,” the star allrounder said.
Reflecting on the occasion, Tendulkar remarked, “Playing against Sri Lanka has always been special, with the 2011 World Cup final being one of the most memorable moments of my career. This tournament gives us an opportunity to relive those rivalries and bring joy to cricket fans once again.”
The India Masters squad features other former international stars, including the Pathan brothers—Yusuf and Irfan—along with Stuart Binny, Dhawal Kulkarni, and Ambati Rayudu. The Sri Lanka Masters will be led by legendary wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Sangakkara and includes seasoned players like Upul Tharanga, Romesh Kaluwitharana, and Suranga Lakmal.
Kartikey Mishra, owner of India Masters, hailed the initiative as a celebration of cricket’s legacy. “The IML is about nostalgia, competition, and passion. These players have given us unforgettable moments, and this tournament is about bringing that magic back.”
The IML T20 2025 will feature six teams—India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, West Indies, and South Africa—competing across venues in Navi Mumbai, Vadodara, and Raipur. The semifinals and final will be held in Raipur, with the championship decider scheduled for March 16.
India Masters squad: Sachin Tendulkar (captain), Saurabh Tiwary, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Ambati Rayudu, Yuvraj Singh, Stuart Binny, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Pawan Negi, Naman Ojha, Abhimanyu Mithun, Dhawal Kulkarni, Rahul Sharma, Shahbaz Nadeem, Vinay Kumar.
Sri Lanka Masters squad: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Upul Tharanga, Asela Gunaratne, Ashan Priyanjan, Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Chaturanga de Silva, Dilruwan Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Isuru Udana, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal.
