KDCA honours Kandy cricket’s rising talent

Thursday, 5 June 2025 02:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Kandy District Cricket Association (KDCA), an affiliate of Sri Lanka Cricket, conducted its Annual Awards Presentation Ceremony, recently to facilitate talented young cricketers of the district who excelled during the year 2024.

The ceremony was conducted as part of Sri Lanka Cricket’s National Development Pathway of ‘Cricket Gamata,’ the effort is aimed at encouraging young cricketers to pursue cricket to reach the international stage.

This prestigious ceremony was held in recognition and to facilitate the young cricketing talent across the district who represent Sri Lanka in various international age-group/tours.

Sri Lanka Cricket Treasurer Sujeeva Godaliyadda graced the occasion as chief guest and Sri Lanka Cricket Executive Committee Member Janaka Pathirana made the presence as the guest of honour.

Leading the list of honourees was Pulindu Perera of Dharmaraja College, a standout performer who has earned selection for four major Sri Lanka Under19 assignments; the Under19 World Cup, Under19 Asia Cup, Under19 tour of England, and the Sri Lanka A team. Pulindu’s consistent performances with both bat and ball have made him a vital asset in Sri Lanka’s youth setup, and his selection across multiple platforms is a testament to his versatility and commitment to the sport.

Also recognised was Aseni Thalagune from Mahamaya Girls’ College, who has made her mark in the women’s circuit with selections for the Sri Lanka Under19 Women’s Asia Cup squad and the Under19 Women’s tour of Australia. Her all-round skills and passion for the game have not only brought pride to her school but also underscored the rising prominence of women’s cricket in the region.

Among the Sri Lanka Under17 players chosen for the Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka were Kenula Pihilianga (Kingswood College), Ryan Gregory (St. Anthony’s College), and Sethmika Senevirathne (Trinity College). These young cricketers have been making waves in the school circuit and now have a golden opportunity to shine on the international stage.

The Under19 Boys squad for the England tour includes Sheshan Marasinghe (Dharmaraja College) and Thisara Ekanayake (St. Anthony’s College), both of whom have shown exceptional talent and potential. Their inclusion signals the confidence the national selectors have in their ability to perform under foreign conditions.

Kavija Gamage (Kingswood College) and Lakvin Abeysinghe (Dharmaraja College) were also honoured for their selection to the U19 Asia Cup, further establishing Dharmaraja College’s growing reputation as a cradle for cricketing talent.

Another proud moment came for Supun Waduge of Trinity College, who secured a place in the Sri Lanka U19 World Cup squad. Known for his solid technique and composure under pressure, Supun is expected to play a key role in Sri Lanka’s campaign.

The felicitation ceremony held by KDCA not only celebrated these young cricketers but also served as an inspiration to countless aspiring cricketers in the region.

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event including Valentine ’s Day. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Flower Bouquets, Clothing, Watches, Lingerie, Gift Sets and Jewellery. Also if you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.