Royal looks to maintain winning streak over DS at inaugural water polo trophy

Royal Senior Team

DS Senior Team 

Royal College Colombo will look to maintain its winning streak against emerging D.S. Senanayake College when the two schools contest their inaugural Water Polo Challenge Shield on Sunday, 16 August 2026, at the Royal College Union Swimming Pool.

The challenge trophy will mark not simply a new fixture, but the beginning of a new tradition in Sri Lankan schools’ water polo.

The event will bring together teams from the two schools across age groups from under-10 to under-20, with the aim of strengthening the sport at both Colombo schools and contributing to the growth of water polo in Sri Lanka.

For D.S. Senanayake College, the fixture represents another milestone in the development of a program that has steadily established itself in Sri Lankan schools’ water polo.

Water polo  D.S. Senanayake College dates back several decades and has produced players such as Nalaka Senanayake, who went on to captain Sri Lanka in the 1980s.

The sport’s development at D.S. Senanayake College has gathered momentum since the early 2000s, with DS now emerging as a competitive force. Its young squad has demonstrated both skill and character, offering promise for the future of the sport nationally.

DS’ performance at the recently concluded Novices Water Polo Tournament provided further evidence of that progress, while the continued commitment of its players, coaches and supporters points to a program being developed for long-term success.

Led by Captain Dhakshina Perera and his deputy Thushane Koralevidanghe in the senior team, the DS squad has prepared diligently for the inaugural encounter, fielding teams from U10 to U20 age groups.

D.S. Senanayake College is coached by Seevali Gurusinghe, who brings considerable playing and coaching experience to the program.

His background in the sport, particularly in goalkeeping and defensive play, provides the current squad with technical expertise and an understanding of the discipline, positioning and decision-making required at the competitive level.

Royal College, meanwhile, will have a strong challenge on its hands as it seeks to protect its winning record on home turf.

Royal will also look to utilise its bench to test combinations and tactics ahead of the Royal-Nalanda encounter in a week’s time and the Royal-Thomian clash for the Hayman Trophy a few weeks later.

The ‘Spirit of Water Polo’ award will be a new feature of the fixture, placing emphasis on team play and discipline.

The award will be judged by the coaches of Royal College and D.S. Senanayake College, irrespective of the outcome of the matches. Teams from U10 through to U20 will be eligible for the award.

The organisers have also planned a carnival atmosphere, with a DJ and food stalls, while a papare band is expected to join the proceedings in the afternoon as the action heats up at Reid Avenue.

The fixture will mark the beginning of a new sporting rivalry and relationship between the two schools, with its continuation expected to provide further competitive opportunities for players and contribute to the development of Sri Lanka water polo. Match schedule is as follows:

1:15 p.m. – U14 match

2:15 p.m. – U10 match

3:15 p.m. – U12 match

4:00 p.m. – Diving Display

4:15 p.m. – U20 match

DS Senanayake Under-20 team: Methula Deelaka (Captain), Dhakshina Perera (Vice Captain), Vidusa Weerasekara, Sasen Silva, Senuka Lakdila, Wehan Aluthwala, Thushane Dilanka, Pramod Methsara, Dasis Sarathchandra, Yumeth Dissanayaka, Sihas Sarathchandra, Anuk Silva, Sandev Silva

Royal College Under 20 team: Bihandu Katugampala (Captain), Imaad Ismath (Vice Captain), Indeev De Silva, Lithum Karunasena, Tehan Gunatilaka, Tarik De Silva, Ramiru Aluthge, Yathish Perera, Madithya Liyanage, Sulaiman Shihar, Abdul Kareem, Dilk Rodrigo, Ammar Salim, Chesath Keenawinna