Sunday Mar 22, 2026
Sunday Mar 22, 2026
Friday, 13 March 2026 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shamseer Jaleel
The race for schools rugby’s coveted knockout silverware gathers momentum as the Dialog President’s Trophy Knockout Championship 2026 continues today with another crucial pre-quarterfinal encounter at the Royal Sports Complex.
Today, Wesley College will take on Mahanama College in what promises to be a spirited contest. Kick-off is scheduled for 4 p.m., with Nipuna Amarathunge appointed as the Referee.
Both teams will be eager to progress to the next stage, knowing that the knockout competition often produces unpredictable results.
The President’s Trophy tournament has traditionally provided emerging players with an opportunity to display their talent on a bigger stage.
The action intensifies tomorrow with three more pre-quarterfinal encounters scheduled across Colombo’s leading rugby venues. The day’s first clash will see DS Senanayake meeting Zahira College at Longdon Place under lights at 7 p.m., Jeewaka Fonseka officiating.
In another much-anticipated fixture, Kingswood College will lock horns with St. Joseph’s College at Havelock Park. The Referee for that encounter will be Kelum Sandaruwan.
The final game of the day will feature defending Knockout champions Isipathana College taking on Science College at the Royal Sports Complex. Ishanka Abeykoon will control proceedings in what could be a fiercely contested battle.
Two more pre-quarterfinal matches are scheduled for 15 March. Royal College will meet St. Anthony’s at Longdon Place under lights at 6:30 p.m., while Thomians will clash with Kandy Sumangala at Havelock Park. Nalin Lasantha will handle the whistle.
Following the completion of the pre-quarterfinal stage, the tournament will move into the quarterfinal round on 21 and 22 March, with two matches scheduled on each day as the battle for supremacy gathers pace. Already, Trinity College and St. Peter’s College moved forward to the quarterfinal stage.
The semi-finals are slated for 28 and 29 March, where the four remaining teams will fight for a place in the championship decider of this prestigious schools rugby competition.
The grand final of the Dialog President’s Trophy Knockout Championship is scheduled for 4 April, where the two best teams will clash for honours and the right to lift one of schools rugby’s most prestigious trophies.
Beyond the silverware, the schools knockout championship continues to serve as a vital platform for nurturing future national players. Many of Sri Lanka’s top internationals have emerged through these fiercely contested school competitions, making the tournament a key stepping stone for the country’s national rugby aspirations.
This year will see Under-18 Sevens, which will be worked off in India later this year, while the Under-19 XV-a-side Rugby World Cup qualifier will take place during December in Kandy.
