On This Day

A collection of 52 posts

On This Day

The Netball Coach Who Ran At The Olympics

'Deshabandu' Thilaka Jindasa who turns 62 years today, is the first sportswoman to be awarded this title when she became Sri Lanka's first female Olympian in 1988

On This Day

The Ceylon Hurdler Who Had The Last Laugh!

Ceylon's First Olympic Medalist Duncan White, who was born today in 1918, had an unusual exchange of words at the starting block before the start of his Olympic Final.

On This Day

The Ceylon-Born Author Who Sled For Canada!

Philanthropist and Author Sir Christopher Ondaatje who turns 92 years today, is the first Ceylon-Born Winter Olympian and was part of the Canadian Bobsled team in 1964!

On This Day

When Sri Lanka Became the 8th Test Nation

On this day in 1982, Sri Lanka played their inaugural Test match as the 8th country to receive the Full ICC Membership, against England at the P. Sara Oval Stadium.

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On This Day

Battle of Helm's Deep Recording at Wellington

LOTR Director Peter Jackson had an unusual idea to gather as many people to chant in Black Speech, during the New Zealand vs England 2nd ODI on this day in 2002!

On This Day

HSM Pieris, A Master In Chemistry And Cricket!

Henry Sri Mevan Peiris who turns 79 years today, is a renowned Polymer Technologist who even represented Sri Lanka as a fast bowler at the Inaugural World Cup in 1975.

On This Day

When Love Made Shashikala Bat On!

Shashikala Siriwardene who turns 40 years on Valentine's Day, has the longest career of 17 years with Sri Lanka Women's Cricket that was influenced by her pillar of success

On This Day

The 'Parkside Ranger' Who Ran Marathons

Turning 81 years today, S.L.B. Rosa holds the National Record in the Men's 10,000m that is yet to be broken since 1975, and the only Sri Lankan to finish 4th at the Boston Marathon

On This Day

The Queen of Sri Lanka Women's Cricket

Chamari Atapaththu who turns 35 years today, once found inspiration from a destructive southpaw and wanted to be just like him. But it's a "boy's sport", many said.

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On This Day

Kyle, The Youngest Abeysinghe Brother

Kyle Abeysinghe who turns 25 years today, represented Sri Lanka at the Olympics last year as the third sibling pair in the country's history, following his older brother Matthew.

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On This Day

The Pilot Who Scored Sri Lanka's First Fifty

Capt. Sunil Wettimuny who turns 76 years today, had an unusual encounter with a Policeman at the hospital after scoring Sri Lanka's first ODI Fifty in the 1975 World Cup!

On This Day

The Bittersweet U19 World Cup Final

Today marks 25 years since the Malintha Gajanayake led Sri Lanka team played in the U19 World Cup Finals, only to lose to India who won their maiden U19 title

On This Day

Longevity And A Name Longer Than His Run Up!

Chaminda Vaas who is Sri Lankan's only Fast Bowler to reach the milestone of 100 Test matches and the record holder in Men's ODI bowling, turns 51 years today.

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On This Day

'Bionic' Abdeen- The Triple International

Former Sri Lanka Rugby captain Hisham Abdeen who turns 64 years today, is a triple international sportsman, also wearing National jerseys for Football & Sepak Takraw

On This Day

South Asia's Highest Jumper from Texas

Texas based High Jumper Ushan Thiwanka Perera who turns 27 years today, holds the South Asian record in the Men's High Jump (Outdoor) with a staggering 2.30m

On This Day

From Seruwavila to the Olympic Semi Finals

Aruna Darshana who turns 26 today, was a Semi Finalist at last year's Olympics when he became only the second South Asian 400m Sprinter to break the 45 second barrier.

On This Day

The Once Fastest Schoolboy in South Asia

Former Schoolboy prodigy and Triple Commonwealth Youth Gold medalist Shehan Ambepitiya who turns 35 today, was once dubbed the "Fastest Man in South Asia".

On This Day

SriLankaSports.com celebrates 25 Years!

Sri Lanka's First Sports Website which was initiated by two visionary sports journalists on this day in 2000, celebrate its 25th year of existence in digital media.

On This Day

Born Today- Sri Lanka's First Test Captain

Bandula Warnapura, the man who led Sri Lanka in the inaugural Test match in 1982, was born on this day(?) in 1953. Read more on his legacy, and on his birth anniversary.

On This Day

Swimming for the Asian Games, during A/Ls!

Swimming prodigy Akalanka Peiris who turns 25 years today, holds the unique distinction of being the first student to sit for his G.C.E. Advanced Level outside of Sri Lanka.

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On This Day

Academics, Aquatics, Cricket and Coaching

Jehan Mubarak who turns 44 years today is the one of two US-born Cricketers to play Test Cricket, and has unique achievements in academics and sports altogether

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On This Day

When Sana and Kalu changed the 'Powerplay'

On this day in 1996, Cricket saw a new way of batting in the PowerPlay in ODI when Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana opened for the first time, against Australia.

On This Day

The 'Gem Miner' For Fast Bowling Talent

Champaka Ramanayake, the fast bowling legend who was better known for his eye for talent that fast tracked many Fast bowlers we know today, turns 60 years today.

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On This Day

Brendon Kuruppu - The Opener who wore his pads for 5 days

Brendon Kuruppu turns 63 years today. He is Sri Lanka's first Double Centurion in Test Cricket, from an uncharacteristic marathon knock on debut which lasted 777 minutes.

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On This Day

Frank Hadow - The Ceylon Tea Planter who won a Wimbledon

Born 170 years ago today, "Frank" Hadow was a Tea Planter and Cricketer for MCC, Dimbula and Kandapola CC. He also won the 2nd Wimbledon in 1878, while on holiday!