The Dialog Club rugby season for the years 2015/2016 is expected to kick off during earlyNovember and the transfer market has taken a different outlook as teams are currently busy with transfer talks with players strengthening their respective teams for the upcoming season.
Here we take a look at the transfers to Kandy Sports Club and CR & FC
Shehan ‘Lema’ Pathirana – From Havelocks FC to Kandy SC
The most spoken transfer of the year as former Royal skipper and national cap Shehan Pathirana will travel to the hill capital to play for Kandy Sports Club this year. Known for his robust strength and sprinting capabilities, Shehan Lema will be Kandy’s first choice for the #5 jersey. The absence of Sean Wijesinghe who took up the post of coach will be filled by the Royal alumni as he has been the usual jumper in the line outs for Havelocks as well.
Vishwamithra Jayasinghe -From Navy SC to Kandy SC
The speedster from Navy SC will be Kandy Sports Club’s newest addition in their cavalry for the upcoming rugby season. Learning his basics at Isipathana College, Jayasinghe went on to represent CR & FC prior to his move to Navy SC.
Jayasinghe will be a viable value additive for Kandy Sports Club on the long run of the club’s progress. With Jayasinghe’s transfer being completed a while back, it will be interesting as to how Coach Johanne Taylor will combine his available options as he will compete alongside Anrudhdha Wilwara, Danush Dayan & Lavanga Perera.
Srinath Sooriyabandara – From Navy SC to Kandy SC
Sevens sensation Srinath Sooriyabandara will also take the trip down to Kandy to be a part of this 2015/2016 rugby outfit after a rough stint with the sailors last season. Sooriyabandara started off his professional stint at CR & FC and later went on to perform to his optimum when he signed up with the Up Country Lions. Sooriyabandara’s transfer is a questionable action taken by the hill country club as he is seen as a sevens player more than a fifteens player. It will be a critical call for the management to see where Sooriyabandara will fit in as he has to compete against Sri Lanka’s best Roshan Weeraratna for the position of half back. Sooriyabandara will be out for the upcoming Inter Club Sevens title while his fitness will be a questionable choice for the club season due to his injury at the recently concluded Mercantile Sevens.
Thisila Karunathilake - From Army SC to Kandy SC
The hefty built center from Trinity College who played his last season with the soldiers will travel back to his home town to wear the colors of Kandy Sports Club. Famed as a disruptive three quarter during his stint in the school rugby season, Thisila later shifted to play a forward role at Army SC and it will interesting to see where he would fit in.
Suhiru Anthony – From Navy SC to Kandy SC
Kandy will complete their second row combination with their second jumper this time heading his way from Navy. A stand out player from St. Peter’s College, Suhiru was a part of the league winning team of 2010 and later turned out to play for Navy. Suhiru Anthony together with Shehan Pathirana is tipped to be Kandy’s first choice for the lock forwards who will be the back bone and strength in the Kandy pack.
