Janidu leads SL at Sevens

Thursday, 15 October 2026 03:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel

Janidu Dilshan (Courtesy, ThePapare.com)

Former Royal College and CR and FC player Janidu Dilshan has been appointed captain of the Sri Lanka Sevens team for the second leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series, which will be worked off in Colombo this weekend.

The second leg will kick off on 17 October at the Racecourse Ground with 12 men’s and an equal number of girls’ teams locking horns

Janidu takes over the leadership from experienced campaigner Srinath Sooriyabandara, who stepped down after leading the national side at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Sooriyabandara’s international career spanned 16 years, making him one of Sri Lanka’s most experienced Sevens players.

Janidu, who brings considerable experience to the side, was surprisingly left out of the Sri Lankan squad for the opening leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in China. Janidu will have former Trinity and Kandy SC player Diluksha Dange as his deputy.

The squad comprises Janidu Dilshan (Capt.), Diluksha Dange, Akash Madusanka, Isuru Kongahawatta, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Shahid Zumri, Pasindu Bandara, Davinda Rathnayake, Gayan Perera, Nilesh Ragavan, Jayathu Rajarathna, Kavindu Perera and Maliksha Perera.