As the new Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League 2025/26, organized by Sri Lanka Rugby, dawns upon us, we break down five key talking points among fans, players, clubs, and all stakeholders involved in the country’s oval-shaped ball game.
1. Re-Introduction of Foreign Players
After several years, Sri Lanka Rugby has decided to allow at least one foreign player on the field, which will make the league more interesting for viewers and definitely raise the level of play. In the last decade, foreign players added great colour and excitement to the local rugby circuit. Sri Lanka Rugby initially planned to allow two foreigners, but due to budget constraints, clubs have agreed to recruit only one.
Although this upcoming season may not feature the best of foreign talent, Sri Lanka Rugby is hopeful that from the 2026/27 season onward, some notable stars can be signed by local clubs, helping to boost the brand equity of the domestic competition while enhancing the skills of local players.
2. Use of Technology
With the support of the official broadcaster, ThePapare – Sri Lanka’s No.1 Sports Channel, Sri Lanka Rugby, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Football Referees, has decided to introduce television replays for every match this season. Each game will feature a minimum of five camera angles, providing the Television Match Official (TMO) with the necessary footage to assist the on-field referees in making accurate decisions.
Sri Lanka Rugby Confirms Inclusion of Foreign Players for the 2025/2026 A Division Season
Refereeing standards have long been a topic of debate in local rugby. With this new technological addition, Sri Lanka Rugby hopes to minimize human errors and enhance the overall fairness and accuracy of match officiating.
- Grand Final – The New Format
The new format, ratified by the newly elected Sri Lanka Rugby Executive Committee, will feature a Grand Final to determine the champions. The top two teams from both the Super Round’s Cup Championship and Plate Championship will face off in their respective finals to decide the winners. With the introduction of this format, the identity of the league champions in both segments will remain uncertain until the final week, scheduled for February 13th and 14th. According to Sri Lanka Rugby, this system is inspired by models used in New Zealand, Australia, and England, designed to prevent dead rubbers and maintain excitement until the very end of the season.
Club Rugby League Kicks Off on the 14th of November!
Following the first round, in which all nine teams play each other, the top eight will qualify for the Super Round — with Ranks 1 to 4 competing in the Cup segment and Ranks 5 to 8 contesting the Plate segment. The bottom-ranked team will not participate in the Super Round but will still have a chance to feature in the Clifford Cup Knockout Championship, facing the No. 8 ranked team in a pre-quarterfinal for another shot at the prestigious Clifford Cup.
- Notable Transfers
With both Nigel Ratwatte and Tarinda Ratwatte retiring after last season, Kandy Sports Club were in search of an impactful backline player — and they seem to have found the perfect fit in Akash Madushanka, who is set to don the Kandy jersey for the first time in the 2025/26 season.
Meanwhile, CR & FC have made some key signings, bringing in several former CH & FC players, including speedster Pasindu Bandara, Nirosh Perera, and Charith Silva — all of whom have been part of the national setup over the past 12 to 18 months. The Red Shirts are determined to reclaim their lost glory this season.
>>Photos – Press Conference – Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League 2025/26
CH & FC, on the other hand, have strengthened their ranks with the additions of Raveen De Silva and Lahiru Tillakarathne, a dynamic duo expected to make a strong impact in the forward pack.
Adding to the list of notable moves, former Thomian and national Sevens cap Yehan Bulathsinghala will represent Havelock Sports Club this season, after featuring for the Police SC last year.
- New Blood
Keep an eye on young Janith Marasinghe, who represented St. Joseph’s College in the recently concluded Dialog Schools Rugby Season, as he prepares to make his club debut for Kandy SC. Joining him are two more talented youngsters from Kandy — Manusha Silva of Trinity College and Rivin Baudween of Kingswood College — both set to make their first appearances in the senior circuit for Kandy Sports Club this season.
Meanwhile, two school captains from the 2025 season — Thinethra Dodangoda of Isipathana College and Sandul Gammanpila of Wesley College — are ready to don the pink jersey for Havelock SC. The Havies have also strengthened their squad with the addition of two more promising school leavers: Seneshka Liyanagunawardana from S. Thomas’ College and Nabeel Yahiya from Royal College.
>>Photos – Kandy SC vs CR & FC | Inter-Club Clifford Cup Knockout Championship 2025
At CR & FC, Science College fly-half and captain, Dilruwan Perera, will take charge in the playmaker role this season. The Reds have also added two powerful prop-forwards from the schools’ circuit — Januth Rathnayake of St. Peter’s College and Yoshitha Sithumina of Royal College — further bolstering their front row depth.
CH & FC too have benefited from the youth influx, signing three standout players from Wesley College — Abdul Haadhi, Naham Hemachandra, and Hamdan Shafraz — all of whom impressed during their stellar 2025 schools’ campaign.
Conclusion
Kandy SC will once again start the season as pre-tournament favourites, but Havelock SC and CR & FC will be eager to stake their claim for the title. Meanwhile, CH & FC, Police SC, and Air Force SC are expected to battle for mid-table positions, as usual.
Who will be crowned champions? Who will finish at the bottom?
After a stellar year for Sri Lanka Rugby, the stage is set for a thrilling finish with the highly anticipated Maliban Inter-Club Rugby League 2025/26 promising intense, competitive action right till the end.
