Royal College vs. St. Peter’s College: Battle for the Arjun Fernando–Percy Ernst Challenge Shield

Sri Lanka’s most anticipated schools’ tennis rivalry is set to ignite once again as Royal College, Colombo takes on St. Peter’s College, Colombo in the 3rd Annual Arjun Fernando–Percy Ernst Challenge Shield on Saturday, 1 November, 2025, at the P. Nagendran Tennis Complex, Royal College.

The marquee Under-19 encounter will commence at 11:00 a.m., alongside an Under-15 fixture, setting the stage for a day of exceptional school tennis featuring some of the island’s finest young talent.

Peterites eye a historic hat-trick

Reigning champions St. Peter’s College arrive at Reid Avenue with confidence and pedigree, aiming to secure a third consecutive Shield victory. The Peterites pulled off a dramatic 3–2 comeback last year to retain the title, reaffirming their dominance in the school tennis circuit.

Leading the side is Captain Karthi Udayachandran, a composed and experienced player continuing a proud Peterite tennis tradition. His brother, Srinath Udayachandran, also once served as Vice-Captain, contributing significantly to St. Peter’s long-standing legacy of excellence on the court.

The Peterites boast remarkable depth this season, spearheaded by Ganuka Fernando, Ashlin De Silva, and Mayooran Kubherane — three of Sri Lanka’s top six ranked juniors. All three have represented Sri Lanka at the Junior Davis Cup, bringing valuable international experience and tactical maturity to the team.

Guiding the Peterites is Dinith Pathiraja, one of Sri Lanka’s finest tennis minds. A renowned coach with a proven track record of producing top-tier national players, Pathiraja’s technical expertise and strategic acumen have been instrumental in shaping St. Peter’s into a powerhouse of school tennis.

Royalists seek redemption on home soil

For Royal College, the mission is twofold — reclaim pride and lift the Arjun Fernando–Percy Ernst Shield for the first time. Under the leadership of Captain Methvan Wijemanne, the reigning Junior National Champion, the Royalists enter the contest in fine form and high spirits.

Adding to their momentum, the Royalists recently clinched the E.F.C. Pereira Memorial Trophy, overcoming traditional rivals S. Thomas’ College in the annual Royal–Thomian tennis encounter. That victory not only boosted their morale but also underlined their readiness for this crucial showdown against the Peterites.

Having narrowly fallen short in this year’s Under-19 Interschool Finals, Royal College will be eager to reverse that result and make home advantage count.

The Royalists are guided by Niranjan Casiechitty, an old Royalist and former Davis Cup representative, widely recognised as one of the best tennis coaches in Sri Lanka. Having taken charge of the program recently, he has already brought a wealth of experience and professionalism to the squad. Renowned for producing some of the nation’s finest players in recent years, Casiechitty has quickly begun to build a strong culture of trust, discipline, and understanding within the team — laying the foundation for sustained success in the seasons ahead.

A rivalry steeped in tradition

The Arjun Fernando–Percy Ernst Shield has rapidly become one of the premier fixtures in the Sri Lankan school sporting calendar. Played in the traditional five-match format, the encounter transcends competition — it’s a battle for prestige, legacy, and pride between two institutions bound by excellence.

With both line-ups featuring national-level players, fans can expect explosive rallies, strategic depth, and displays of immense composure under pressure. It’s more than a match — it’s a celebration of the discipline, respect, and passion that define school sport at its finest.

Honouring two icons of Sri Lankan tennis

The Shield pays tribute to two legendary figures who set benchmarks of excellence for future generations: Lovell Percival “Percy” Ernst of St. Peter’s College and Arjun Fernando of Royal College.

Percy Ernst, a distinguished old boy of St. Peter’s, was part of Sri Lanka’s first-ever Davis Cup team in 1953, representing the country against the Netherlands in The Hague. The 1952 National Singles Champion, Ernst went on to capture numerous doubles and mixed doubles titles throughout the 1950s and 1960s. His leadership as Captain of St. Peter’s College epitomised sportsmanship and dedication.

Arjun Fernando, a proud Royalist, stands as one of Sri Lanka’s all-time greats. The highest-ranked Sri Lankan player in history, he represented the country in countless Davis Cup campaigns and won numerous national singles and doubles titles. His enduring success and professionalism continue to inspire the next generation of Sri Lankan tennis players.

High stakes, high standards

A key storyline this year is the ongoing rivalry between Ganuka Fernando and Royal Captain Methvan Wijemanne. The two have contested the Junior National Finals for the past two consecutive years, with Wijemanne triumphing on both occasions. However, at the Under-19 Interschool Finals earlier this year, it was Ganuka who turned the tables, defeating Methvan in a thrilling encounter that underlined the intensity of their rivalry. It’s a duel that has come to define this generation of school tennis — and promises another fascinating chapter in their parallel journeys.

With four of the country’s top six Under-18 players — all Junior Davis Cup representatives — and remarkable depth throughout both squads, the 2025 Arjun Fernando–Percy Ernst Challenge Shield promises tennis of the highest calibre.

For St. Peter’s, it’s the pursuit of a historic hat-trick. For Royal, it’s a chance to finally inscribe their name on the coveted Shield and continue their winning momentum after the E.F.C. Pereira triumph.

Either way, spectators can look forward to a day of top-class tennis, spirited rivalry, and school pride — a fitting tribute to the enduring legacy of two giants of Sri Lankan sport, guided by two of the nation’s most respected coaches.