BETSS.com enters Sri Lankan rugby with two-year CR & FC sponsorship

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 03:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

CR & FC President Tikiri Ellepola (left) and Sumathi Holdings Executive Director Chadu Sumathipala formalise the partnership, symbolising the shared vision and collaboration between CR & FC and BETSS.com, as Director Chathula Sumathipala looks on

Sports Entertainment Services Ltd., the digital arm of Sporting Star and a prolific promoter of sports in Sri Lanka, has signed a two-year co-sponsorship agreement with the Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club (CR & FC). The company operates under the brand BETSS.com, a leading home-grown digital entertainment and gaming platform.

The official signing ceremony was held at Sumathi Medura, Colombo, and was attended by senior officials of Sports Entertainment Services Ltd., along with members of the CR & FC Executive Committee.

The collaboration comes at a pivotal moment in the local rugby calendar, with the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) Inter-Club Rugby League currently under way, enabling both brands to engage with fans during peak competitive momentum.

CR & FC’s longstanding reputation as the ‘Home of Rugby’ is rooted in its historic role in transforming the sport in Sri Lanka, dating back to 1922 when the club broke new ground by welcoming local players. That same spirit of inclusion underpins this partnership, with BETSS.com aiming to expand how fans connect with rugby beyond match days.

This two-year agreement represents more than a traditional sponsorship, as both organisations seek to deepen fan engagement both on and off the field, while contributing meaningfully to the growth of Sri Lankan rugby.

Sumathi Holdings Executive Director Chadu Sumathipala said: “We are excited to partner with the Home of Rugby in a first-of-its-kind collaboration involving a responsible and licenced real-money gaming operator. We are committed to promoting and growing Sri Lanka’s sporting horizon through meaningful partnerships.”

“Sport is deeply embedded in Sri Lankan culture. Through this partnership, we aim to take the spirit, excitement, and match-day experience beyond the grounds, creating innovative fan engagement that brings supporters closer to the action,” he added.

The BETSS.com–CR & FC partnership introduces a new dimension to Sri Lankan rugby sponsorships at a time when fan engagement is central to the sport’s continued growth. Both organisations signal a sustained commitment to strengthening the local rugby ecosystem over the next two seasons.

From left: Sports Entertainment Services BETSS.com Marketing Manager Ryan Kirindage, CR & FC President Tikiri Ellepola, Sumathi Holdings Executive Director Chadu Sumathipala, Director Chathula Sumathipala, and Sports Entertainment Services COO Ravin de Mel