One of the young Cricketing rivals in the island, the 5th ‘Battle of the Blues & Maroons’ (also known as the Neela-Lohitha Trophy) was held as a three-day encounter concluding on April 23, 2026, at the De Soysa Stadium in Moratuwa. After dominating the battle, Mahinda Rajapaksa College, Homagama easily defeated their arch-rivals, Defence Services School, Colombo by 9 wickets to retain the title within just a couple of days. The match, scheduled as a three-day encounter, was wrapped up in just two days as MRC retained the title with authority.
The drama began early when Defence Services College Skipper Luthika Binath won the toss and opted to bat first. The pitch, sporting a grass cover, appeared tricky, and the decision to bat first was immediately put to the test. The Defence Services top order struggled to cope with the conditions, slipping to 7 runs for the loss of two quick wickets.
Despite attempts by Isitha Ravisara, Vineth Sanvidu, Sithma Sakulith, and Skipper Binath to repair the innings, the batting unit crumbled under pressure. The situation went from bad to catastrophic as the collapse continued from 35/4 all the way to 53 all out. The resistance was frail; only the number nine batsman, Jesith Shavidu, managed to reach double figures with a score of 12. The destroyer-in-chief for Mahindiayans was left-arm leg-spinner Ramesh Hemal, whose magical deliveries earned him a magnificent five-wicket haul.
In reply, Mahinda Rajapaksa College found themselves in a spot of bother against a disciplined Defence services bowling attack. Skipper Luthika Binath and left-arm spinner Vuthsara Okitha bowled tight lines, reducing MRC to 46/6. The Homagama lads were in danger of squandering their advantage.
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However, a resilient partnership of 27 runs between Dulana Induwara and Denuwan Thrisanka stemmed the flow of wickets and broke the rhythm of the opposition bowlers. The recovery was solidified when Denuwan Thrisanka joined forces with Diman Lithsara. The duo constructed the only half-century stand of the game, adding a vital 56 runs. Their efforts propelled Mahinda Rajapaksha College to a total of 142 runs all out. Vuthsara Okitha was the chief destroyer for Defence Services with four wickets, while Skipper Binath and Sandalu Indusara chipped in with two wickets apiece.
Trailing by 89 runs, Defence Services College began their second innings hoping for a fightback. After losing a couple of early wickets, opener Jehan George played a magnificent knock of 45 runs to stabilize the innings. At 63/2, Defence Services College appeared to be building a platform, but the introduction of Ramesh Hemal changed the game once again. Hemal found the timber to remove the set batsman George, triggering yet another collapse.
The middle and lower order replicated their first innings frailty, capitulating under pressure. Captain Luthika Binath held firm at one end to avoid an innings defeat, but he lacked substantial support. The innings eventually folded for 106 runs. The highlight of the bowling performance was spinner Denuwan Thrisanka, who completed a hat-trick by removing the final three wickets to finish with a five-wicket haul.
After receiving a target of 18 runs for victory, Mahinda Rajapaksa College approached the chase with expertise. They lost a single wicket before crossing the finish line. Randilu Disas provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten quick knock of 12 runs.
With this emphatic nine-wicket victory, the lads from Homagama retained the Neela-Lohitha Trophy, having asserted their dominance throughout the two-day battle. The performance served as a statement of intent from Mahinda Rajapaksha College, showcasing both their bowling depth and ability to recover from precarious batting positions.
Brief Scorecard
Defence Services College (1st innings) – 53 all out (36.1 Overs)
Jesith Shavidu 12, Isitha Ravisara 09, Luthika Binath 08
Ramesh Hemal 16/5, Denuwan Thrisanka 03/1, Dulana Induwara 05/1, Kushen Tanuja 07/1, Nadun Bhagya 08/1, Diman Lithsara 09//1
Mahinda Rajapaksha College, Homagama (1st innings) – 142 all out (36.3 Overs)
Dulana Induwara 37, Diman Lithsara 37, Denuwan Thrisanka 36, Ramesh Hemal 08, Randilu Disas 08
Vuthsara Okitha 42/4, Luthika Binath 25/2, Sandalu Indusara 27/2, Nimitha Bimandiv 22/1
Defence Services College (2nd innings) – 106 all out (60.3 Overs)
Jehan George 45, Isitha Ravisara 19, Luthika Binath 15*, Sethun Senanayake 08
Denuwan Thrisanka 35/5, Ramesh Hemal 29/2, Dulana Induwara 06/1, Omika Risath 13/1
Mahinda Rajapaksha College, Homagama (2nd innings) – 20/1 (2.4 Overs)
Randilu Disas 12*, Ramesh Hemal 02*, Dulana Induwara 02
Vuthsara Okitha 10/1
Defence Services College – Luthika Binath (Captain), Jehan George, Sandaru Sehas, Isitha Ravisara, Vineth Sanvidu (WK), Sithma Sakulith, Vuthsara Okitha, Sethun Senanayake, Jesith Shavidu, Sandalu Indusara, Nimitha Bimandiv
Mahinda Rajapaksha College, Homagama – Irusha Anujaya (Captain), Randilu Disas, Nadun Bhagya, Ramesh Hemal, Dulana Induwara, Nisal Insitha, Pasan Sankalpa (WK), Denuwan Thrisanka, Diman Lithsara, Kushen Tanuja, Omika Risath
 was held as a three-day encounter concluding on April 23, 2026, at the De Soysa Stadium in Moratuwa.){kind=link}