Rugby selectors pick final 25 players for Malaysian encounter

Friday, 18 April 2025 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Mohamed Nizran, first player from Sri Lions to national XV a side team

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka national selectors picked the final 25 players for the Malaysian encounter which will take place at the Race Course ground on 19 April.

Kick-off is at 4 p.m.

Kandy SC star player, Shaahid Zumri and former DS and Havies player plus the highest try scorer of the last league, Jayathu Rajarathna both were surprise omissions while Mohamed Nizran, former Zahira and St. Peter’s player makes history by becoming the first player to represent Sri Lanka XV under Sri Lions Sports Club in their debut year. In another surprising move, three masseurs being named under the officials by Sri Lanka Rugby. Tarinda Ratwatte who was tipped to lead the outfit misses out due to an injury and he is likely to recover for the New Zealand home matches in Kandy and Colombo early next month.

Sri Lanka squad

01) Janidu Fernando

02) Pulasthi Dissanayake

03) Senura Perera

04) Naveen Marasinghe

05) Thilina Bandara

06) Nizran Nillar

07) Tharindu Chathuranga

08) Lasindu Karunathilake

09) Heshan Jansen

10) Nigel Ratwatte - Captain

11) Janidu Dilshan

12) Akash Madhushanka

13) Danushka Ranjan

14) Dinal Ekanayake

15) Mursheed Doray

16) Vimukthi Gamage

17) Nirosh Perera

18) Mohamed Rifan

19) Thenuka Nanayakkara

20) Pasindu Bandara

21) Thanuja Jayaweera

22) Dahan Wickramarachchi

23) Venura Kodagoda

Stand by:

24) Malitha Wijesundara

25) Hirantha Perera

Officials

Chief de Mission:

Udaya Hettiarachchi

Team Manager:

Rohan Chinthaka

Head Coach:

Sanath Martis

Forwards Coach: Dushanth Lewke
Backs Coach:

Saliya Kumara

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Tharaka Algama
Team Doctor:

Dr. Pradeep Kiriella

Physio:

Shafin Hameed

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