Dialog powers the Battle of the Saints

From left: St. Joseph’s College Rector Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, Dialog Axiata General Counsel/Vice President – Group Legal and Regulatory Trinesh Fernando, St. Peter’s College Rector Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo

• 87th Josephian-Peterite Big Match powered by Dialog on 13 and 14 December at SSC

Sri Lanka’s premier catholic boys’ schools, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo and St. Peter’s College, Colombo, are set to battle it out for the Rev. Father Maurice J. Le Goc Trophy on 13 and 14 December, at the SSC Grounds in Colombo.

The ‘Battle of the Saints,’ which is renowned for its exciting and competitive brand of cricket, is the only annual two-day cricket encounter that strategically limits the first innings to 60 overs each to create greater interest and result orientation. In the 2021 encounter the lads from Darley Road will be led by Sri Lanka Under-19 Captain, the brilliant allrounder Dunith Wellalage, while the boys from Bambalapitiya will be under the captaincy of stylish batsmen and fifth year Coloursman Nipunaka Fonseka.

“The global pandemic has crippled the world and yet we are fortunate to embrace a unique tradition, a game of cricket which helps protect and preserve traditions, values and history,” Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo, the Rector of the hosting school, St. Peter’s College, Colombo, said. “The Joe-Pete fosters a unique sense of brotherhood, unity, peace and harmony and this year, even without spectators at the grounds the spirit will prevail. Let me express my gratitude to all who fought back with courage, discipline and responsibility during the pandemic to overcome the challenges. My sincere thanks to our Principal sponsor Dialog Axiata for their support for our inspirational brand.”  

St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, Rector Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, said: “We have, through divine intervention and the hard work of so many, succeeded in preparing the stage for another Joe-Pete cricket encounter which brings together a spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie that exists in an unbroken chain for generations. Our students have practiced hard, and we intend to give them this momentous opportunity to showcase their talents. I would like to thank the sponsor, Dialog Axiata, and wish both teams the best of luck.”  

St. Joseph’s College leads the series tally with 12 wins, their last win coming under the captaincy of Ruwantha Fernandopulle in 2008, while St. Peter’s College were the winners of the 2016 encounter under Vinu Mohotty, bringing their tally to 10 wins, which ensured the Rev. Father Maurice J. Legoc Trophy was kept securely in the trophy cabinet in Bambalapitiya.  

This year due to the pandemic, to ensure the health and safety of all, spectators will not be present, but it is expected that large numbers of passionate past and present students will watch safely from private, remote locations. Additionally, all the very important requirements and safety protocols of the Ministry of Health will be followed.

The highly anticipated Josephian-Peterite limited overs match played for the ‘Fr. Peter A. Pillai Memorial Trophy,’ which was the first one-day encounter among schools commencing in 1975, has always attracted the highest number of spectators for a school’s 50-over cricket match and is scheduled to be played on the following Thursday, 16 December. This will also be played behind closed doors at the same venue. The Josephians lead the one-day encounter 23-20 with two matches ending with no result.

Adding excitement to the games this year is the fact that six players – Dunith Wellalage, Shevon Daniel and Sadeesh Jayawardena from St. Joseph’s, and  Wanuja Sahan, Danal Hemananda and Lahiru Dewatage from St. Peters, played against the touring Bangladesh U19 team, with five of them presently playing against the touring England Young Lions. Wellalage, Captain of St. Joseph’s, was appointed the Sri Lanka U19 Captain for both tours while Wanuja Sahan of St. Peter’s and Shevon Daniel of St. Joseph’s were regular match winners during the two series. The five playing against England are tipped to be in the Sri Lanka squad which leaves on 19 December for the U19 Asia Cup in The UAE and the U19 World Cup in the West Indies.

The two schools have produced many national caps. Current Sri Lanka Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Chaminda Vaas, Thisara Perera, Ashley De Silva, Michael Van Dort, Roshen Silva, Priyamal Perera and Sadeera Samarawickrama are the Josephians who represented Sri Lanka, while the Peterites are Roy Dias, Rumesh Ratnayake, Vinodhan John, Amal Silva, Russel Arnold, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Malinda Warnapura and Angelo Perera.

As the principal sponsor, Dialog Axiata has made arrangements to live stream the match via thepapare.com in the interest of all present boys, old boys, parents, supporters, well-wishers and cricket-loving public, who are encouraged to watch the match in safe and secure locations and ensure all safety protocols are maintained.

One of Sri Lanka’s largest banks, Hatton National Bank, has also come forth as a co-sponsor for this year’s prestigious ‘Battle of the Saints’ encounter.   

Dialog Axiata is the proud sponsor of the Sri Lanka national cricket, volleyball and netball teams. The company also has a close association with the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, Junior Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, Schools Rugby League, Knockout and Sevens tourneys, Premier Football and Paralympic sports – by powering the Army Para Games, National Para Games and the Sri Lankan contingent to the World Paralympic Games.