After years of climbing up the ladder and constantly knocking on the door, Mahanama College has finally broken into the Sri Lankan School Rugby’s biggest stage. Let’s take a closer look at how things will line up for them this campaign. 
Mahanama College has been rewarded for their years of consistent progress, steady improvement and unshakeable belief. They emerged champions in Division 1 Segment B of the Dialog Schools Rugby League before beating Ananda College in the finals of the Premier Trophy to complete an unbeaten run last season and earned their right to compete at the pinnacle of schools rugby in 2025. They did not participate in this year’s Premier Trophy with the aim of better preparation for the Dialog Schools Rugby League.
- Last-Gasp Heroics Hand Isipathana Back-to-Back President’s Trophy Titles
- Ananda College outclass St. Benedict’s to lift Premier Trophy
- Looking for Lost Glory – Kingswood College Rugby 2025
- Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 to begin on 6th June
- Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 set to send Sri Lanka into a Rugby craze yet again
Current Outfit
The team this year is largely composed of members from last year’s victorious campaign, and they’ll be ably backed up by a mercurial group of youngsters who will hope to carry the torch in seasons to come. The squad has been going through extensive preparation over the past few months and are confident that they’re well equipped to compete in the top division this year.
Players To Watch Out For
Mahanama College will look to their skipper Navith Kannangara for inspiration. And his leadership will be crucial if this team is to get results in their maiden season in the topflight.
Mandilu Nimsara and the rest of the backline too will be eager to run circles around opposition defences while Chamiru Methsanda and his forwards will hope they can hold the fort against tough opposition.
Coaches
Former Isipathanian Devinda Pathiranage – who was behind their unbeaten run last season will remain at the helm and give his side much needed stability.
Mahanama College possesses a comprehensive backroom staff for this campaign. This includes local rugby legend Dushmantha Priyadarshana as assistant coach. Athula Pathmasiri, Renuja Silva and Sandapa Santhush complete the complement.
Expectations For the Season
As a newly promoted side, Mahanama enters the season without the burden of expectation. The team is quietly confident, and with silverware still up for grabs in the Plate and Bowl championships, there is every reason to believe that a deep run in the second round is on the cards. However, the overall objective for this campaign will be to find some stability and establish themselves as regulars in Division 1 Segment A of the Dialog Schools Rugby League.
Whether they cause early upsets or grow stronger as the campaign unfolds, Mahanama College is one to keep an eye on. With fearless young talent, experienced coaching, and a point to prove, the White, Gold and Black are ready to take their place on Sri Lanka’s biggest schools rugby stage.
Don’t write them off—this team has the heart and hunger to shake up the status quo.
Full Squad;
Forwards
Ishanka Sajana
Nesara Nenula
Vemanga Marakkalage
Sandaru Rathnayake
Deshan Avishka
Pasindu Adithya
Udan Ranthul
Chamiru Methsanda
Hansaka Shakya
Shashimal Shivinda
Akilesh Hettigodage
Maindu Gunawardhana
Wenuka Amantha
Sanula Layal
Tharindu Rashmitha
Kethaka Kalindu
Lakindu Sanudika
Viduna Sri Wasthuka
Backs
Isuru Akash
Mandilu Nimsara
Nihindu Damsuka
Suhas Kaveesha
Sithum Sandeepa
Tharusha Deshan
Sithupa Fernando
Sahan Dissanayake
Malinka Danuja
Avishka Dinesh
Nethun Wijesinghe
Navith Kannangara (c)
Fixtures
Vs Isipathana College (A) – 08th June
Vs Dharmaraja College (H) – 14th June
Vs S. Thomas’ College (H) – 21st June
Vs Kingswood College (A) – 29th June
Vs Zahira College (A) – 5th July
