Lamichhane gets 8-yr imprisonment for rape

Published

1 year ago

January 11, 2024

editor

Nepal spinner Sandeep Lamichhane has been sentenced to eight years in prison for raping an 18-year-old woman.

Lamichhane, who is not in custody, was not present when the sentence was handed down at a court in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old – Nepal’s most high-profile cricketer – was found guilty of the offence last month.

Lamichhane’s lawyer Saroj Ghimire told Reuters he intends to appeal against the verdict in a “higher court”.

“We are not convinced about the decision of the court,” said Ghimire. “The court has whimsically declared Sandeep to be a convict. Sandeep will go to the higher court for justice.”

Lamichhane – who has played in Australia’s Big Bash and the Indian Premier League – was suspended as Nepal captain in September 2022 due to the rape accusation.

After a warrant was issued for his arrest, he was taken into custody after flying home to Kathmandu from playing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

At the time, he said on Facebook he was returning to co-operate with the investigation and denied any wrongdoing.

Following his release on bail, Lamichhane returned to the Nepal side amid protests in February 2023 for a Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series against Scotland and Namibia.

Players from both opposition nations refused to shake his hand, but Lamichhane continued to play for Nepal throughout 2023.

(BBC News)

Kalinga wins bronze at Asian Athletics C’ship

Published

22 hours ago

May 28, 2025

editor

Sri Lankan athlete Kalinga Kumarage has won the bronze medal in the Men’s 400m event at the Asian Athletics Championship 2025, held in Gumi, South Korea.

Kumarage finished clocking 45.55 seconds.

The gold and silver medals were won by Qatar and Japan respectively.

Sports Minister amends Sports Act

Published

3 days ago

May 26, 2025

editor

Current Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage has once again amended the Sports Act, nullifying the gazette notification previously issued by former Sports Minister Harin Fernando.

The new amendments bars those who held key positions in sports associations for eight years from running again.

Accordingly, this will also prevent many of the Sri Lanka Cricket Ex-Co members from contesting again.

Furthermore, all sports associations that have not held elections in 2025 are required to conduct them according to the new law.

(Source: Divaina)

Sports Minister suspends Sri Lanka Rugby registration

Published

6 days ago

May 23, 2025

editor

Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage has issued a Gazette notification suspending the registration of Sri Lanka Rugby with immediate effect.

The suspension, announced under Sections 32 and 33 of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973, also revokes the appointment of Prof. (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando as the Competent Authority for Sri Lanka Rugby. He had been appointed under a previous Gazette (No. 2386/08) dated 29 May 2024.

In place of the Competent Authority, the Minister has appointed a five-member Working Task Force with the limited mandate of adopting the new Constitution of Sri Lanka Rugby. The constitution was prepared by a Constitutional Review Group set up by World Rugby and agreed upon by all stakeholders.

The Task Force includes:
– Mr. Priyantha Ekanayake (Chairman, National Sports Council) – Chairman
– Mr. Suresh Subramaniam (Chairman, National Olympic Committee)
– Mr. M. R. Latiff (Retired Senior DIG)
– Mr. Dinal Phillips (President’s Counsel)
– Mr. Rohan Abayakoon (Member, National Sports Council)

An election to appoint office bearers is to be held within 90 days after the registration of the new Constitution. Until then, the Task Force is authorised to manage all affairs of Sri Lanka Rugby.