As the final point landed and celebrations erupted around Padel House, the Colombo Aces weren’t simply lifting a trophy. They were making a statement. In a country where cricket, rugby and football have traditionally dominated the sporting landscape, the Colombo Aces emerged as champions of the inaugural Sri Lanka Padel League in 2025 and announced themselves as one of the most exciting sporting brands in the country.
Yet their story extends far beyond a championship-winning campaign. What began as a franchise competing in a fledgling padel competition has evolved into something much bigger, a movement determined to reshape how Sri Lankans engage with sport and what a modern sporting franchise can become.
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Founded by Principal Owner and Founder Viren Beruwalage alongside Co-Founders Saurika Livindu and Thehan Wijemanne, the Colombo Aces were built on a vision that stretched beyond a single competition.
While many teams focus solely on winning matches, the Aces set out to build an identity, a community and ultimately a franchise capable of transcending individual sports. Their philosophy was simple: sport is evolving, and those willing to embrace change will shape its future. The franchise’s leadership structure reflects that ambition. General Manager Damith Weerasinghe, whose background spans from cricket, media and sports administration through ThePapare, works alongside Technical Director Anuk Suraweera, who brings experience from both rowing and cricket.
Few sports have experienced global growth quite like padel. The launch of the Sri Lanka Padel League represented a landmark moment for the sport locally, introducing a franchise-based model capable of bringing fans, players and brands together under one roof. For the Colombo Aces, it was the perfect stage. The league was more than a competition; it was an opportunity to build a culture and a community around a shared identity.
Entering the inaugural Padel League draft with the 8th and 16th selections, the Aces were hardly handed a dream scenario. Yet rather than viewing their position as a disadvantage, they saw an opportunity to build a squad united by culture, belief and chemistry. One of those selections was Thehan Wijemanne, chosen with the 16th pick and later becoming a key contributor to the championship-winning campaign. The Aces eventually overcame the Galle Fort Mariners in a thrilling final to become the first-ever Sri Lanka Padel League champions.
Reflecting on the achievement, founder Viren Beruwalage praised the resilience shown by the squad: “Every player showed up with heart and hunger. We knew it would come down to those last few points, and they held strong.”
The title secured the Aces’ place in history, but more importantly it proved that culture can often outweigh circumstances.
Championships may win headlines, but supporters build legacies. One of the defining features of the Colombo Aces’ inaugural campaign was the passionate fanbase that emerged around the franchise. Throughout the league, supporters embraced the team’s identity, creating an atmosphere unlike anything else seen during the competition.
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That support reached its peak during the final. The venue transformed into a sea of fans that packed the stands, creating an electric atmosphere that many involved in the tournament still speak about today. In many ways, those scenes represented something bigger than a sporting contest, the birth of franchise culture in Sri Lanka.
For many organizations, winning a championship would have marked the pinnacle. For the Colombo Aces, it marked the beginning. Following their historic title triumph, the founders recognized an opportunity to expand beyond padel and establish a presence across multiple sporting landscapes. Today, the Colombo Aces participate in the Sri Lanka Padel League, Ceylon Golf League, and the RPL T10 Cricket League, while also fielding a motorsport team through racing driver Yoosuf Faizal. Rather than becoming known for a single sport, the Aces aim to create a sporting ecosystem where athletes, fans and communities from different disciplines can unite under one banner.
As defending champions, the Colombo Aces will once again take center stage in the second edition of the Sri Lanka Padel League 2026 played over the next weekend. Familiar faces from last year’s title-winning squad, Nilumi Fernando and Thehan Wijemanne, who return in pursuit of a second consecutive championship. To strengthen their ambitions, the franchise has also enlisted Portuguese coach Nuno Café, bringing international expertise and fresh perspectives to an already talented setup.
Beyond Padel, the Aces have already secured their place in the inaugural Ceylon Pickle League scheduled for October, continuing their commitment to embracing emerging sports and new opportunities. What makes the Colombo Aces unique is not simply the number of sports they participate in. It is their willingness to constantly evolve, embrace innovation and challenge traditional thinking.
The Colombo Aces may have started as a padel team, but they are rapidly becoming something far more significant. They are helping build a future where franchises are more than teams, where communities are more than spectators and where sport becomes a platform for connection, innovation and growth.
In the ever-evolving world of sport, one thing remains crystal clear. Whatever the future holds, the Colombo Aces seem destined to hold the trump card!
Colombo Aces Padel Team 2026 – Thehan Wijemanne (Captain), Yoosuf Faizal, Wenuka Kithnula, Angus Hopkinson, Jithendran Gajendran, Rahul Wijeratne, Rishi Wijeratne, Niroshan Fernando, Ishan Thalagala, Nilumi Fernando, Shayanika Fernando, Kemalie Herath, Mellissa Marfell, Nuno Caffe (Coach)
