Dialog Axiata marks 21 years of unwavering commitment as Battle of the Blues enters 147th chapter

The title sponsorship cheque was presented by Dialog Axiata Group Chief Officer – Dialog Enterprise Navin Pieris and Vice President – Group Marketing Harsha Samaranayake and was formally received by S. Thomas’ College Warden Asanka Perera and Royal College Principal Athula Wijewardana, marking the 21st year of partnership for the upcoming Royal-Thomian encounter with Dialog Axiata 

From left: S. Thomas’ College Head Prefect Kieran Lawrence, Captain Avinash Fernando, Royal-Thomian Match Organising Committee Co-Chairman Sajith Kularatne, Dialog Axiata Vice President – Group Marketing Harsha Samaranayake, S. Thomas’ College Warden Asanka Perera, Royal College Principal Athula Wijewardana, Dialog Axiata Group Chief Officer – Dialog Enterprise Navin Pieris, Royal-Thomian Joint Match Organising Committee Co-Chairman Ramesh Abeywickrama, Royal College Captain Rehan Peiris, and Head Prefect Sahan Agalawatte 

S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, will once again take on their arch-rivals Royal College, Colombo, in the 147th Battle of the Blues, scheduled to be held on 12, 13, and 14 March at the country’s premier Test cricket venue, the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo.

Etched with rich traditions, passion, and unparalleled history, this legendary encounter stands as the second-longest uninterrupted school cricket series in the world — a testament to the unwavering camaraderie and sporting spirit between two of Colombo’s leading educational institutions. The Battle of the Blues is not just a cricket match, but an institution in itself — a story of competition and brotherhood that has endured for nearly 150 years, contributing immensely to the game of cricket, the heartbeat of the island.

Adding to the grandeur, the much-anticipated Mustangs Trophy one-day encounter will take center stage on 28 March under lights at the newly floodlit SSC Ground.

Royalists and Thomians, both past and present, clad in their iconic blue, gold and black, will once again gather to celebrate their schools’ proud heritage. The pavilion will roar, flags will wave, and songs of tradition will echo across the SSC as schoolboys, old boys, and cricket enthusiasts from around the world unite in the true spirit of the game.

This prestigious encounter—widely regarded as Sri Lanka’s very own “Big Match”—has witnessed some of the finest young cricketers take center stage before rising to national and international acclaim.

As part of the Dialog Big Match Season, this historic clash continues to embody tradition, passion, and sporting excellence, bringing together generations in celebration of one of the nation’s most cherished sporting rivalries.

Dialog Axiata PLC is a steadfast patron of Sri Lankan school cricket. With an enduring commitment to powering young talent and fostering the next generation of cricketing greats, the company’s partnership ensures that the legacy of the Battle of the Blues remains stronger than ever. Their continued support is not merely a sponsorship, but an investment in Sri Lanka’s sporting future.

S. Thomas’ College Warden Asanka Perera said: “It is that time of the year when the schools come to a standstill and all eyes are directed to the middle of the field watching eagerly and anxiously, 11 men in white play for the covetous Senanayake Trophy. As the 147th episode of the second longest intercollegiate encounter enfolds, we wish the two teams all the very best as they become part of this unbroken tradition. May this encounter be the everlasting tradition that connects S. Thomas’ College and Royal College. I place on record my thanks and the thanks of the College and the Joint Organising Committee to all our sponsors for coming on board this year.”

Royal-Thomian Joint Match Organising Committee Co-Chairman Ramesh Abeywickrama said: “As we prepare to witness yet another Roy–Tho, we celebrate 147 years of unbroken continuity—an achievement sustained through challenges and change. In recent years, the event has evolved, embracing digitisation, standardisation, sustainability, and CSR, with Dialog proudly serving as main sponsor on 21 occasions alongside many others. This is more than a match—it is a tradition that shapes personalities and carries forward a timeless legacy.” 

Royal College Principal Athula Wijewardena said: “At the doorstep of the greatest sporting event of the year, we celebrate a world heritage carried forward by 22 boys and countless stakeholders for 146 unbroken years. As Royalists and Thomians, we take pride in this enduring tradition. We wish both teams and all who uphold this legacy an enjoyable and memorable match.” 

Dialog Enterprise Group Chief Officer Navin Peiris said: “At Dialog, we are incredibly proud to continue our longstanding partnership with the Battle of the Blues, one of the most iconic events in Sri Lanka’s school cricketing calendar. Our commitment to supporting school cricket stems from our belief in nurturing young talent and fostering a passion for the game that lasts a lifetime. Through initiatives like the Battle of the Blues, we aim to contribute to the development of the next generation of cricketers while preserving the rich traditions of Sri Lankan school cricket. As we power this historic rivalry once again, we remain dedicated to powering the champions of tomorrow.”

Following the 146th Battle of the Blues in March 2025, the all-time tally between Royal College and S. Thomas’ College stands at 36 wins for Royal, 36 wins for S. Thomas’, and 74 draws. The 2025 match saw S. Thomas’ College win by five wickets, bringing their total to 36 and matching Royal’s long-held lead. Leading the Thomians this time is Avinash Fernando, who carries the responsibility of defending the DS Senanayake Shield they won last year, while Royal, under Rehan Peiris, will look to reclaim the Shield and take it back to Reid Avenue.

Tickets for the 147th Battle of the Blues and the 49th Mustangs Trophy will be available for purchase at the Royal College Union and the STCML OBA Secretariat. Given the massive following and the electrifying atmosphere that this legendary encounter promises, early booking is highly recommended to secure a seat at Sri Lanka’s grandest school cricketing festival. Join us in celebrating the spirit of cricket, tradition and sportsmanship at the 147th Battle of the Blues and the Mustangs Trophy match.

Dialog Axiata PLC invites the public to witness the Royal–Thomian encounter on Sri Lanka’s #1 5G Network in Sri Lanka & catch every moment of the action live on ThePapare TV via Dialog Television Channel 126, or stream it on the Dialog Play Mobile App and ThePapare.com.

Dialog Axiata continues to be the proud sponsor of national teams in cricket, volleyball, netball and esports. The company is also the primary sponsor of the Sri Lanka Golf Open and Paralympic sports, powering the National Para Games and the Sri Lankan contingent to the World Paralympic Games. In line with its commitment to empowering tomorrow’s champions, Dialog Axiata also supports the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, national junior and senior netball tournaments, and schools rugby.