SL names initial pool for Asia Rugby Division 1 tournament

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) under the National Selections committee headed by Sudath Sampath has selected the initial squad of 66 players for the preparation for their Asia Rugby Division 1 rugby tournament which will be played at the Race Course in Colombo on 30 April and 5 May.

Sri Lanka Rugby Council at their Council meeting recently approved the appointment of Sanath Martis as the Head Coach of the national outfit. The veteran with more than 2 decades of coaching experience who had handled the senior and junior national teams, Havelock SC and the current CH and FC head Coach will look after the lads who already started their training yesterday. Martis is also the current St. Peter’s Head Coach.

Martis will have the former Kingswoodian and Head Coach of Clifford Cup winning Police SC and Joes outfit, Nilfer Ibrahim as his three quarter coach for this tournament. Royal and CR and FC Head Coach, Dushantha Lewke will operate as the forwards coach of the unit.

Sri Lanka is expected to play India in their opening game on 30 April. The second game is expected to be played on 5 May.

Initial pool for training: Senura Perera, Sohiru Anthony, Shenal Adikari, Adeesha Weerathunge, Naveen Marasinghe, Raveen de Silva, Lasindu Karunathilake, Kavindu de Costa, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Manilka Ruberu, Gemunu Chethiya, Rinesh Silva, Zubair Doray (all from CR and FC), Dilshan Fareed, Thilina Bandara, Wewalage Panditha, Jason Dissanayake, Chathuranga Kudaleedge, Heshan Jansen, Nigel Ratwatte, Lavanga Perera, Tarinda Ratwatte, Kavindu Perera, Dinal Ekanayake, Srinarth Sooriyabandara (all from Kandy SC), Faiz Abdullah, Azmir Fajudeen, Sooriya Dodangoda, Janidu Fernando, Oliver Buckle, Mohamed Rifan, Sudesh Jayawickrema, Dinupa Senenvirathne, Jaythu Rajarathna, Randitha Warnapura, Samuel Maduwantha (all from Havelock SC), Charith Silva, Dushmantha Priyadharshana, Pulasthi Dasanayake, Gihan Madushanka, Janith Laksara, Avantha Lee, Hirusha Sampath (all from CH and FC), Sameera Sooriyarachchi, Nalaka Madugalla, Thilina Pushpakumara, Ashan Bandara, Lasantha Kumara, Lahiru Ratnayake, Sudaraka Dikkumbura (all from Army SC), Mohan Wimalarathne, Primesh Danushka, Lahiru Thilkarathne, Hirantha Perera, Akash Madushanka, Sachith Silva, Vihaga Pavithra (all from police SC), Nirmal Wickremasinghe, Parakrama Rathnayake, Romesh Wasantha, Shashika Fernando, Gayantha Iddamalgoda, Dharshana Dabare (all from Air Force), Stephan Greogory, Dananjaya Senevirathne (Navy SC).

Due to injuries, following players pulled out and replaced by the new players.

Pulled out due to injuries: Thilina Bandara, Samuel Maduwantha, Senura Perera and Shenal Adikari

Replaced by: Shehan Dias (Havelock SC), Ishara Madushan (Air Force), Shehan Silva (Havelock SC) and Denuwan Lakranda (Sri Lions).

Head Coach Sanath Martis; Three quarter Nilfer Ibrahim and Forwards Dushantha Lewke.