Thilina Walpola

4 days ago | island.lk | Thilina Walpola |Rex Clementine

There was a time when Sri Lankan parents drummed into their kids that the only ticket out of the rat race was a university degree. Unless you were born with a silver spoon, it was books over bats. But those equations have been rewritten. These days, if you can land the ball on a sixpence and send stumps cartwheeling, the world’s your oyster. Just ask Kasun Rajitha — the latest poster boy for how far cricket can take you.

1 week ago | island.lk | Thilina Walpola |Rex Clementine

Tamil Members of Parliament with roots across the Palk Strait are often quick to look towards India at the drop of a hat. But last week, all they managed was a photo op with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi – smiles, handshakes and little else. In contrast, Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning cricket team was granted a 45-minute chinwag over tea with the Indian leader. The Indian High Commission in Colombo had arranged the meeting.

1 week ago | island.lk | Thilina Walpola |Hiran H.Senewiratne

The CSE’s local and foreign investors’ worries continued yesterday due to the escalating trade war between the US and Chinese governments. This resulted in the CSE performing in a negative manner. However, the 90-day suspension of the new high reciprocal tariff by the United States enabled the Colombo stock market to boost its value by over Rs. 200 billion as investors reverted to buying mode. Amid those developments both indices moved downwards.

2 weeks ago | island.lk | Thilina Walpola |Rex Clementine

There are few sights in cricket more pleasing to the purist’s eye than Pathum Nissanka in full flow – batting as if he were painting strokes on a canvas. Last year, the elegant right-hander had a breakthrough season, making headlines and turning heads. But 2025 hadn’t been kind to him until now. After a barren patch where his bat was quieter than a library on a Sunday, Nissanka has found his rhythm once more.

3 weeks ago | island.lk | Thilina Walpola |Rex Clementine

Sri Lanka have been on a wild goose chase for a genuine seam-bowling all-rounder – someone who can lend balance to the side and tilt the scales in our favour. Yet, despite scouring the length and breadth of our cricketing landscape, success has remained as elusive as a Test win in Australia. Sure, we’ve unearthed a handful of spin-bowling all-rounders over the years, but let’s face it – they’re about as effective overseas as a canned fish on Unawatuna beach.