The 2016/17 Dialog Rugby League is set to commence on the 4th of November with Police SC hosting Navy SC at Police Park.
Defending Champions Kandy SC will take on CH&FC, who finished at the bottom of the League last season, whilst Havelocks will play Air Force at Ratmalana on Saturday the 5th. Army will host CR&FC on the following day at Diyagama.
The first round will conclude on 18th December and there will be a two week break before the second round games commence on the 6th of January 2017. The final League games are scheduled to be held on the 19th of February and after a week’s break the Dialog Clifford Cup Knock-outs will commence. The final of the knock-out is expected to be played on the 11th of March 2017.
Like last year this year too there will not be any addition of foreign players and as a result the season perhaps will look pretty dull. Kandy SC looks good to defend their title yet again after signing some star players; Danushka Ranjan (Havelocks) Kanchana Ramanayake (CR&FC), Jason Dissanayake (CR&FC) and Ganuka Dissanayake (Havelocks) are the new additions to the champions side with the experienced scrum half Roshan Weerarathne taking on the reins as Captain.
Ronnie Ibrahim has taken over the Havelock’s coaching from Tualgese Tavita (Laga) and the park club, which finished as runners-up last year, will hope to give Kandy SC a stiff challenge this season. Dushmantha Priyadarshana, the mobile prop, will captain the club. Hooker Prasath Madusankha, who was the highest try scorer with 12 tries last season, will hope to continue his form this season too. Sharo Fernando, Niroshan Fernando, Chamara Dabare will provide experience while Nishon Perera, Kevin Dixon, Lasindu Ishan will be bolstered by the success they’ve experienced with the U20s.
CR&FC too has a strong mix of youth and experience. Shane Sammandapperuma will lead the side while they have Ben McDougal, the former Scotland international, coaching this season. Omalka Gunarathne joined the Reds from Navy and is a big signing for them. Ashan De Costa, Sasanka Ariyarathne and Rizah Mubarak crossing over from Police can provide the experience along with Ishan Noor the former captain. Tarinda Ratwatte and Kavindu Perera will also be key players for CR.
The Sailors, who finished 4th last season, have some young talent in the shed. Mothilal Jayathilake will be the man in charge this season. Dinusha Chathuranga, Lee Keegal, Gertha Perera, Chanaka Chandimal and Nivanka Prasad are some experienced players in the Navy team who will look to help the Sailors reach the top. Navy fullback Thilina Weerasinghe was the highest points scorer with 146 points last season but was unfortunate to miss out on a Tuskers call-up. He will be looking to make his case this time as well.
Police had a poor 2015/16 season despite signing some big names but Sudath Sampath, the former Police player, has taken the reins his season and will look to bring back the glory days. Mushin Faleel, Achala Perera, Radeesha Senevirathne and Mohamed Absal are a few players who could bring the X factor for the cops.
The Soldiers were brilliant in the first half of the league but slid down during the latter part of last season. There will be a lot expected especially from Gayan Salinda, who finished as second highest points scorer in the League behind Thilina Weerasinghe of Navy. Feveri Verabula, the Fijian will be continuing his coaching for the second year running.
Air Force also struggled last year but their full back Nuwan Perera was one of the stand-outs in the season. Leonard De Zilva, who has taken the Havies and Navy SC to the title in the recent past, will have another tough challenge ahead this season as well.
CH&FC, on the other hand, still have issues with their own ground due to the ongoing cricket season. Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) has promised to look into securing a ground for CH’s home games; most likely it would be either Racecourse or Royal Complex.
