Royal College Colombo and S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia will compete for the 33rd Dr R.L. Hayman Trophy on the 26th September and 3rd October at the Sugathadasa Swimming pool. Following the break for the Advanced level examinations, the Royal Thomian seasons intensifies with Water polo an aquatic team sport. The U13, U15 and U19 age categories will be training hard to withstand a 2 leg contest in order to take home the coveted trophy.
Recognized as the most attended school water polo event in South Asia, the encounter attracts over 2,000 supporters at each leg with Live Telecast and streamed online for overseas viewing. The event is the most anticipated event in the aquatics calendar and continues a proud tradition that has contributed to the development of water polo in Sri Lanka. The participation of foreign referees is a key component of raising standards in Sri Lanka.
S. Thomas’ College Water polo
S. Thomas’ College lead the tally with 17 wins to 11 in the Dr. R.L Hayman Trophy with all the pedigree and formulations for a winning outfit. The games have been drawn only on four memorable occasions in 1999, 2001, 2017 and 2023 where the 8 quarters kept all fans interested and brought in new fans to follow the sport. However the last occasion where STC held on to the trophy was in the 2023 drawn game. Since then Royal College have been the guardians of the Dr. R.L Hayman Trophy with a record aggregate score last year in 2025 making it unfamiliar territory for the mount Lavina team.
Looking to upset the form book and surprise the Royal College team, STC have 5 colourman and 10 Sri Lanka U19 National caps in their ranks and extremely formidable junior players to give them impact off the bench! The ever reliable Dhruv Perera will be the number 1 goal keeper , “The Thomian Wall” in goal nulling the Royal attack, allowing turn over ball to be distributed by the fastest player in the pool, the STC Captain Shehran Nawaz, who will look for quick distribution to Dinuk Wickramasinghe. He is the main strike package for STC at the Centre forward position. His inclusion into the U19 team at 15 years of age in the 2024 game shows steadfast long term vision by the STC think tank to provide the necessary experience for key personnel. The 1st IVX players have been getting stronger with every year with a good strength and conditioning programme. This coupled with set play patterns that STC have been very good in implementing at game time will keep the battle on paper in favour of STC. Blending all these facets together is Coach Saviru Wijesinghe, a man of few words but very well planned out and technically sharp. Once all these components are in top gear the voice of the Thomian Legion will no doubt reverberate across Colombo over the two Saturday games.
STC Water polo Team
Shehran Nawaz (Captain), Arith Salgado (Vice Captain), Riveen Perera, Dhruv Perera, Dinuk Wickramasinghe, Michael Gunawardana, Nihilash Gunadeepan, Jayden Vaseeharan, Lithum kannangara, Anaka Perera, Yash de Simon, Aritha Perera, Biren Hewamanna, Affan Roomy, Kavin Nanayakkara, Dewvin Malawaraarachi, Lisuka Pushpawansa, Shakeel Refai, Inesh Fernando.
Royal College Water polo
Royal College have an uphill task in combating the STC juggernaut. Captain, Bihandu Katugampola has 7 coloursmen at his call with his Deputy Imaad Ismath taking up the last line of defense. Last years Most Valuable Player, Lithum Karunasena will be part of the team, a welcome luxury for the seniors who will feel the heat of the battle in their last representations in College colours. Ramiru Aluthge and Sulaiman Shihar will be heavily relied on for attacking options while the bench will be needed as STC will look to shift momentum in the 3rd and 4th quarters in the game. The Royal College Junior teams U13 and U15 haven won all tournaments held thus far making it a happy camp at Reid Avenue. The juniors playing the first 2 games and sitting in to watch the senior game will get a front row seat to the thrill of playing and an appreciation for the dedication needed to compete in a Royal Thomian match!
RC Water polo Team
Bihandu Katugampala (Captain), Imaad Ismath (Vice Captain), Ramiru Aluthge, Lithum Karunasena, Dinal Wellappili, Sulaiman Shihar, Abdul Kareem, Chesath Keenawinna, Dilk Rodrigo, Tarik De Silva, Tehan Gunatilaka, Ammar Saalim, Madithya Liyanage, Indeev De Silva, Yathish Perera,
Match Times (1st & 2nd Leg)
U13 Match – 2.30p.m
U15 Match – 4.00p.m
U19 Match – 5.30p.m for 1st Leg. (6.00p.m for 2nd Leg)
Tickets Availability as of Friday 18th September 2026
STC OBA Secretariat
Royal College Union Swimming Pool Office
Rs 500 for Student and Rs 1,000 for Non Students.
The Chief Guest will be Mr Nawaff Mubarak Captain of the STC Swimming , Diving & Water polo teams in 1998 teams. He was, a devastating Centre Forward in his playing days having represented Sri Lanka Water polo & Swimming from 1994 to 2001. He was appointed head coach in years 2001 and 2002.
The Matches are sponsored in the Platinum grade by Pelwatte Dairy. Gold Sponsor is Prima. The Bronze Sponsorships are Abans Finance, A &E, Arinma, Dialog Play, Asiri Hospital, Dollar Company, Pickme. Education Partner BCAS, Hospitality Partner Grandbell, Travel Partner is Sri Lankan Airlines, Radio partner EFM and Outdoor Media partner is Richardson, broadcasting partner thePapare.
