The dust has settled on the playing fields of Colombo, but the spirit of camaraderie lingers long after the final wicket of Maliyadeva College was taken by Ananda College to clinch the school championship. the 24th Col. Henry Steel Olcott Memorial Cricket Tournament 2026. The event concluded during the last weekend at the renovated Ananda College Cricket Ground, not just as a celebration of sporting excellence, but as a vibrant testament to the brotherhood among the county’s elite Buddhist schools founded by Col. Henry Steel Olcott and Buddhist Theosophical Society.
The Ananda College Old Boys Association proudly hosted the six-a-side event, which was limited to five overs per inning. More importantly, this edition had a speciality, as Rahula College, Katugastota, and Vijaya College, Matale, made their debuts. Alongside the traditional eight teams were featured, namely Ananda College Colombo, Dharmaraja College Kandy, Maliyadeva College Kurunegala, Mahinda College Galle, Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda, Rahula College Matara, Nalanda College Colombo and Dharmapala College Pannipitiya.
During the group stage, Maliyadeva and Ananda Colleges went to the semifinals as group tops, while Dharmaraja College and Mahinda College also secured their places as the second-best team of the respective groups.
College Played Won Tied Lost Points
Maliyadeva 3 2 0 1 4
Mahinda 3 2 0 1 4
Rahula 3 1 0 2 2
Matara 3 1 0 2 2
College Played Won Tied Lost Points
Ananda 3 1 2 0 4
Dharmaraja 3 2 0 1 4
Dharmapala 3 1 1 1 3
Nalanda 3 0 1 2 1
Semifinal 1
Here the Devans from Kurunegala clashed against the Rajans of the hill capital. The standout talent of Maliyayadeva College, Sonal Ashwin, produced some fireworks from one end while wickets were tumbling at the other end. Sonal made an unbeaten 39 runs with a stylish four and five massive sixes. Maleesha Gunasekara and Sumedha Prasad took a wicket each for Dharmaraja. By the way, Maliyadeva put up a formidable total of 58 runs after being allotted five overs.
Tharindu Warnakulage tried to give a blistering start by scoring a four and a six in the first two deliveries, but Damlath Gamage removed him from the next ball. Then the Maliyadeva skipper, Dimath Abeysinghe, tightened the grip and delivered a golden over by just conceding three runs. Finally Dharmaraja was able to put up only 44 runs for the loss of two wickets. Sumedha Prasad was the top scorer with 15 runs off 7 deliveries. Maleesha Gunasekara was the second top scorer with 13 runs, but his knock never helped the course of Rajans, as it came off 15 deliveries. Dushan Sayuranga and Damlath Gamage took a scalp each for Maliyadeva.
Semifinal 2
In the other semifinal the hosts, Ananda, took on the lads from Galle, Mahinda College. Thevindu Rashmika and Dulsith Darshana gave a solid start by accumulating 36 runs for the first wicket. But Mahinda could post only 45 runs for two wickets after their five overs. Thevindu Rashmika top scored with 15 runs off 15 balls, while Dulsith Darshana made an unbeaten 14 runs off 10 balls. Though all of Ananda’s bowlers finished their spells wicketless, they delivered a disciplined bowling attack which kept Mahinda’s power hitters at bay.
Rashan Wijerathne spearheaded the chase with an unbeaten 25 runs off 15 balls with a huge six and three fours. The hosts crossed the target within 4.2 overs by scoring 50 runs. Mahinda College skipper Arosha Udayanga delivered an economical over by giving just a couple of runs, and Sadew Nethmina was the only wicket taker of the side, who took one wicket for just eight runs.
The Final
During the high-stake final, the visitors won the toss and elected to field. The hosts put up a formidable total of 60 runs for 3 wickets at the end of their innings. Powerhouse, Nethula Edurimana and the wicket-keeper batter Lithma Perera scored quick 21 (12) and 12 (4) runs, respectively. Ananda College’s scoring was helped by ill-disciplined Maliyadeva bowling, which conceded 12 extras with four no balls and six wide deliveries. Sonal Ashwin and Damlath Gamage shared two wickets between them.
In the chase, Ananda got off to a dream start courtesy of Nethula Edirimanna, who picked up the first two wickets in the first two deliveries. But Dimath Abeysinghe and Rajith Navodya delivered a superb counterattack on the host. At one stage the Maliyadeva side was cruising for the victory by scoring 36 runs within just 2.1 overs. All of a sudden, the Ananda bowlers struck back well and bundled out the Maliyadeva innings for just 41 runs in 3.3 overs.
For outstanding batting (with 21 runs in 11 balls) and threatening bowling (with two wickets for 13 runs), Ananda College’s star player Nethula Edirimanne won the player of the final award. After scoring 93 runs in the tournament, Maliyadeva College’s Sonal Ashvin won the best batsman award. Along with his economical bowling, he was also awarded the player of the tournament award.
Ananda College Colombo – 60/3 (5 overs)
Nethula Edirimanna 21*, Kitma Withanapathirana 12, Lithma Perera 12, Sonal Ashwin 13/1, Damlath Gamage 14/1
Maliyadeva College Kurunegala – 41/5 (3.3 overs)
Rajith Navodya 18, Dimath Abeysinghe 18, Nethula Edirimanna 2/13, Ashinsha Nainayake 6/1, Rashan Wijerathna 4/1
Special Awards
- The Champions – Ananda College, Colombo
- Runners up – Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala
- Player of the tournament – Sonal Ashwin (Maliyadeva)
- Best batsman – Sonal Ashwin (Maliyadeva)
- Best bowler – Ashinda Nainayake (Ananda)
- Best fielder – Lithma Perera (Ananda)
The victorious Ananda outfit receiving the trophy from past Ananda and national player/coach Thilina Kandambi (Photo credit Old Anandians 2009 Group)
After having a terrific tournament, the Maliyadeva lads had to settle for the runner-up title.
The Player of the Tournament – Sonal Ashvin (Maliyadeva)
