Thursday May 14, 2026
Thursday May 14, 2026
Tuesday, 5 May 2026 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
In a landmark year marking its 152nd anniversary, Wesley College, Colombo, last week officially inaugurated its 70th rugby season with a formal press conference and sponsors’ felicitation.
The event, took place at the school's historic Campbell Park pavilion, setting a prestigious tone for the milestone season ahead.
The "Double Blues" will be led this season by 4th-year Coloursman Kazier Lye, who is supported by a veteran leadership duo: Vice-captain Nelith Hapugalla and Deputy Vice-captain Pawan Thiranagama, both of whom are also 4th-year Coloursmen.
The team benefits from a formidable coaching panel. Former Sri Lanka "Tusker" league-winning captain, and the current national forwards coach Henry Terence takes the helm as Head Coach, joined by Thilina Weerasinghe, a former Sri Lanka and Navy SC skipper, serves as the Three-quarter and Kicking Coach and supported by former Wesley captain Omar Kuthubdeen as Backs Coach. Supporting the squad’s physical conditioning are physiotherapist Tharanga Galapitawatta, trainer Madhuka Marasinghe, and Team Manager Shem Mendis (former Wesley captain). Bro. Piumal Perera continues his dedicated service as the Master-in-Charge.
The 70th rugby season of Wesley College is powered by two of its most loyal champions: Citizens Development Business (CDB) and Deedat. Strengthening a partnership that has spanned over ten years, CDB returns as the Principal Sponsor to lead the school's commercial portfolio. Adding to the momentum, Deedat, another decade-long ally of Wesley Rugby, steps in as the Silver Sponsor for the 2026 campaign. Hemas Pharmaceuticals introducing its product 'ACCIENT NUTRA' along with the return of D’Las as supporting sponsors for the year.
Wesley Rugby 2025—Fixtures—1st Round
(2nd Round starts on the 4th week of May)
A look back at history:
Taking up the oval ball game in 1956 under Eddie Buell as their first captain, Wesley has come a long way in the game. Former School Master Donton D'Abrera is dubbed as the 'Father of Wesley Rugby,' who did yeoman service to uplift the game. In terms of the Schools Rugby League, the Wesley College lads are yet to win a league title; however, they were an inch close in 1997 and 2003/04, ending as runners-up. Wesley's glorious year was 2013, winning their maiden 1st XV silverware, the President's Trophy Knock-outs, under the mercurial Rahul de Silva. They ended up as runner-up in 2002, 2004, and 2019, under Mursheed Doray (League 4th). In 2022, under Tharusha Jayaweera, they finished the league at 4th and were knockout semi-finalists.
The previous 2025 season stands as a landmark testament to the "Double Blues" legacy, defined by unprecedented success across all age groups. Highlighting a triumphant year for the college, Wesley’s junior programs dominated the national stage, with the Under-18 and Under-16 squads emerging as All-Island Champions, while the Under-14 team finished as All-Island Runners-Up.
This foundation of excellence was mirrored by the 1st XV, who achieved a historic milestone by finishing as overall Runners-up in the Dialog Schools Rugby League. In a season defined by grit and determination, the senior team narrowly conceded the title to Trinity College, Kandy, after a hard-fought campaign.
Beyond the league standings, Wesley maintained absolute dominance in their traditional rivalries. The team secured the Blaze Trophy for a record-breaking fourth consecutive year, a historic first in the school’s history against Kingswood College. This was followed by a thrilling victory over S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, to successfully retain the Sir Oliver Goonetilleke Shield. Perhaps the most defining moment of the season was a monumental victory over their oldest rivals, Royal College. Breaking a twenty-year "hoodoo" at the Royal College Sports Complex, the Double Blues emerged victorious against the side they have faced annually since 1956, marking one of the most monumental chapters in Wesley’s storied rugby history.
Reggie Bartholomuesz, Zubair Doray, Ranjit Abeydeera, Ransiri Sahabandu, Cavan Gauder, Iqbal Musafer, Kishan Musafer, Zulfikar Haaleemdeen, Duminda Pulukkuttiarachchi, Kasun de Silva, Henry Terence, Niranjan Wickremaratne, Niroshan Karunanayake, Samantha Lakshan, Dulanjana Wijesinghe, Rahul de Silva, Shehan Dias, Sithum Peiris, Shashika Fernando, Mursheed Doray, Vimukthi Gamage, Hafiz Thabeeth and Naham Hemachandra are some notable players who donned the national jersey. Mursheed, Vimukthi, and Naham are the most recent Tuskers who played against the New Zealand U-85 kg team.
The Wesley Rugby fraternity urges all the rugby-loving public to enjoy the game with true sportsmanship whilst uplifting the spirit of the game.
