Tuesday Feb 17, 2026
Tuesday Feb 17, 2026
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Kandy SC centre Danushka Ranjan on an attacking move
By Shamseer Jaleel
Defending League champions Kandy Sports Club delivered a chilling reminder of their dominance with a crushing 91/3 victory over Sri Lions Sports Club in their Inter-Club Rugby League 2025/26 encounter, which was worked off at Longdon Place last weekend.
Remaining unbeaten, Kandy ran in an astonishing 15 tries to register one of the heaviest winning margins in recent domestic rugby history and issue a strong warning to their title rivals.
Coming off a rare draw against CH & FC last weekend mainly due to poor refereeing, the champions had a clear point to prove and responded in emphatic fashion. Despite being without four of their leading players – Kavindu Perera, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Dilshan Fareed, and Heshan Jensen – depth, structure, and attacking sharpness were on full display, as they dismantled Sri Lions with relentless pace and power.
The rout was built on a devastating first half, in which Kandy raced to a 39/3 lead. Fly-half Asiri Seneviratne set the tone with an early try, converted by Shaahid Zumri, before wingers Dinal Ekanayake and Gayan Perera struck in quick succession. Sri Lions’ only reply came through a Nathan Gunaratne penalty, but Kandy swiftly sealed the bonus point and continued to pile on the pressure.
No. 8 Dahan Wickramaarachchi was outstanding, producing a barnstorming display to cross for four tries, repeatedly breaking tackles and dominating at the gain line. Ekanayake and Perera were equally lethal out wide, completing hat-tricks as Kandy’s backline carved open the defence at will.
The champions showed no mercy after the restart, adding eight more tries through Wewala Panditha, Diluksha Dange, and a further brace from Perera, with Zumri and replacement fly-half Rivin Baudaveen, the former Kingswood youngster, showing good consistency in kicking, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Veteran centre Danushka Ranjan’s late try capped a remarkable performance. Even without several key stars, Kandy SC’s overwhelming display underlined their unmatched depth and consistency, reinforcing their status as the team to beat and sending a clear warning that the title will once again run through Nittawela. The only worry remaining for their Head Coach Fazil Marija is of the kicks at goal and penalty conversions.
Referee Nalin Lasantha officiated the game.
