Dialog Axiata strengthens legacy of iconic Joe-Pete Battle of the Saints for 10 years

 Dialog Axiata PLC is set to power the 92nd ‘Battle of the Saints,’ continuing the company’s unwavering support in Powering the Champions of Tomorrow.

This eagerly awaited cricket encounter between two esteemed Catholic educational institutions in Colombo—St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College—will unfold at the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground on 19, 20, and 21 March with the coveted Rev. Fr. Maurice J. Le Goc Trophy at stake.

The 52nd Joe-Pete limited overs encounter for the Rev. Fr. Peter A. Pillai Trophy will be played on 25 April at the SSC Grounds. Leading the St. Joseph’s College team this year is Rishma Amarasinghe, while the Peterite squad will take the field under the leadership of Enosh Peterson, who was the Man of the Match in the 51st limited overs fixture.

St. Joseph’s College leads the series with 12 victories, with their last triumph coming under Ruwantha Fernandopulle in 2008. St. Peter’s College has 10 wins under their belt, with their last win in 2016 under Vinu Mohotty. 68 encounters have ended in draws, underscoring the rich and competitive history of this legendary rivalry. The 2025 edition, contested as a three-day encounter for the first time in history, concluded in a draw.

The highly anticipated Josephian-Peterite limited overs clash for the Rev. Fr. Peter A. Pillai Memorial Trophy is scheduled for 25 April.

In the one-day format, St. Joseph’s leads with 25 wins compared to St. Peter’s 23, with two matches yielding no result and one ending in a tie. In last year’s edition, St. Peter’s emerged victorious, retaining the Rev. Fr. Peter A. Pillai Memorial Shield with a thrilling four-wicket win in the 51st annual encounter.

Both schools have a rich legacy of producing cricketing icons who have represented Sri Lanka on the international stage. Josephian alumni include Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Chaminda Vaas, Dunith Wellalage, Shevon Daniel, Thisara Perera, Ashley de Silva, Michael Van Dort, Roshen Silva, Priyamal Perera, and Sadeera Samarawickrama. Meanwhile, St. Peter’s College has nurtured stars such as Roy Dias, Rumesh Ratnayake, Vinodhan John, Amal Silva, Russel Arnold, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Malinda Warnapura, Angelo Perera, Janith Liyanage, and Dushan Hemantha.

St. Peter’s College Colombo Principal Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo said: “The 92nd Battle of the Saints proudly continues a historic tradition that has shaped generations of young sportsmen through excellence, discipline, and mutual respect. This iconic three-day encounter, together with the 52nd edition of the longest standing one-day encounter, reflects the enduring spirit and heritage shared by two premier Catholic institutions, St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College. Beyond competition, this fixture symbolises brotherhood, character, and the highest standards of school cricket. May this year’s contest be played with courage, integrity, and pride, honouring the rich tradition we are privileged to uphold.”

St. Joseph’s College Colombo Principal Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi said: “The 92nd Annual Josephian-Peterite Cricket Encounter is more than just three days of fun and excitement. It is a celebration of a proud cricketing tradition that brings together friendly rivalry, cherished memories, and great entertainment. It also reminds us of the deeper values of the game — brotherhood, discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, and good fellowship. The match unites generations of players and supporters, honouring the legends of the past who brought pride and glory to their Alma Mater and to the Motherland.”

Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Marketing Officer Lasantha Theverapperuma said: “The Dialog Big Match season is a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s sporting heritage, and we are thrilled to continue our support for this significant cricketing spectacle, which fosters future champions destined to represent our nation. I extend my heartfelt wishes to both teams and players for a thrilling cricket encounter.”