The epic rivalry in Panadura will continue for another exciting episode as Royal College, Panadura, will face St. John’s College, Panadura, in the 27th Haritha Maha Satana, which will take place on 03rd & 04th April 2026 at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium, Moratuwa. This year both teams possessed a balanced attack; hence, a fierce competition, which is to be filled with true sportsmanship, is expected.
The history of the battle dates back to 1992, when the inaugural edition took place. Despite all of the other schools’ big matches showcasing defensive Cricket, the Battle of the Greens has produced some attacking Cricket over the decades, and the victory tally stands as proof. So far, St. John’s College has claimed 9 titles, while the Panadura Royalists have clinched 8 titles, as only 9 encounters ended in a draw. The recent success came in last year, when St John’s College posted an emphatic victory over the arch-rivals.
Sri Lanka’s 1996 Cricket World Cup-winning team member Raveendra Pushpakumara, a pace bowler, is a national product who came from St. John’s College, while the elegant batter Chamara Silva stands as a proud product from Royal College, Panadura.
This year, Royal College, Panadura, had a successful season while competing in the Division II, Tier A Tournament with five 1st-inning victories against three losing courses. Their spirited outfit will be spearheaded by right-handed batter and left-arm orthodox bowler Sadew Wijerathna, who is eagerly waiting to complete a revenge on last year’s defeat.
Right-handed batting all-rounder Sathsara Nilanjith is the highest runs holder in the side by scoring 817 runs with a century and eight half-centuries. He scored a solid 105 runs against St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena, in their traditional encounter. The Vice Captain, Chalana Dineth Perera, stands as the second best in the batting unit by scoring 576 runs with a couple of centuries and a half-century (with a highest of 137 runs against Kalutara Vidyalaya). Opener Yesara Nithil had scored 537 runs, including five half-tonnes, while Sadew Wijerathna (281 runs), Dinimuthu Perera (327 runs), Udara Dhananjaya (457 runs, 1 century and 1 half-century) and Lasiru Sandakan (528 runs, 3 half-centuries) are the other batsmen to watch.
>>18th Battle of Rath-Ran to come alive this week at P. Sara Oval
All-rounder Yesara Nithil leads the bowling attack with 50 wickets, with his best performance of 12 wickets against Taxila College, Horana, in addition to his 5-wicket hauls against Vidyartha College, Kandy, and Tissa Central College, Kalutara. The Skipper Sadew closely followed him in the hunt by chipping away 42 wickets, including 5 wicket hauls against De Mazenod College, Kandana, and St. John’s College, Jaffna. Fierce bowler Sathsara Nilanjith took a 6-wicket haul against Sri Devananda College, Ambalangoda. Further, right-arm pace bowlers Chalana Dineth, Romal Wijerathna, Sanvidu Silva and Dinidu Rashmika will create a diverse bowling attack which threatens the rivals.
After competing in the Division II, Tier A Tournament, St. John’s College managed to post 3 first-inning wins against 5 matches, which ended in the losing course. The St. John’s College lads will rally around their Skipper Madhusha Mendis, who has scored 422 runs with a highest score of 73 runs. The frontline batter Chenuka Rehan is the highest scorer in the side with 485 runs with a century and three half-centuries. He scored a match-saving 106 runs against Piliyandala Central College. Vice Captain Tharul Laksanda scored 461 runs with a tonne and a couple of half-tonnes. He scored an unbeaten 133 runs for St. John’s College, Panadura, in a match against Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya. Bhanuka Adhithya (432 runs, 3 half-centuries), Hirusha Salgado (395 runs, two half centuries), Sadew Pabasara (357 runs, one half century), Asen Shanuka (202 runs).
Hirusha Salgado leads the bowling attack by hunting 35 wickets with 5-wicket hauls against Piliyandala Central College and Maris Stella College, Thimbirigaskatuwa. Pace attacker Sanithu Yunath is another prolific bowler in the side who took 7 wickets in an innings against Sri Devananda College, Ambalangoda, with a 10-wicket haul in the match. Further, the Skipper Madusha Mendis, Vidath Ravindu and Kusal Fernando are the other weapons in the Johnians’ dugout.
Both sides will definitely aim for a kill this year, as St. John’s College is expected to extend their winning tally, while the Panadura Royalists seek to square the tally with a dominant victory.
Royal College, Panadura Squad
Sadew Wijerathne (Captain), Chalana Dineth (Vice Captain), Lasiru Sandakan (Wk), Isala Perera, Sathsara Nilanjith, Ocean Tameesha, Enuka Anudath, Deveen Sandeepa, Thisaja Nethmitha, S. Yesara Nithil, Ravish Gallhenage, Shenash Matheesha, M. Hiruja Sanvindu Silva, Dinidu Rashmika, Udara Dhananjaya, Kavindu Sithumin, Shem Abhisha, Manesha Migara, Chathuranga Silva (Head Coach)
St. John’s College, Panadura Squad
Madhusha Mendis (Captain), Tharul Laksada (Vice Captain, Wk), Kusal Prabodha Fernando, Hirusha Salgado, Sadew Pabasara Perera, Chenuka Rehan, Bhanuka Adhithya Disanayaka, Sanithu Yunath Vishmika, Pamok Methdinu, Shanuka Silva, Rashmika Peiris, Vidath Ravindu, Gagana Chamika, Vimukthi Sonath, Ashen Shanuka, Isuru Udayakumara (Head Coach)
