The insight of Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College, Kandy Rugby team that will be competing in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025.
History
Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College is one of the oldest in Kandy, which was established in 1879 as St. Paul’s College, a junior school branch of Trinity College, Kandy. Later it was renamed as St. Paul’s English School in 1987 and again in 1991 as the Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College.
With the affiliation to Trinity College, Sumangala has a rich tradition in rugby that dates back several decades. Even during the 1970s, there is evidence of a Sumangala first XV rugby side, and during the 1980s and 1990s, the school competed in the Division B segment.
>>Adithya Rathnayake to command Sumangala Rugby in 2025<<
Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College made significant strides in rugby, achieving promotion to the top-tier league in 1997. Their first game in the top division occurred in 1998 under the captaincy of Sidath Chandratne, who later played for CR & FC. The school has produced notable players, including the Silva brothers, Upul Silva (Ex- Army SC and Sri Lanka Full Back) and Ajith Silva (Ex-Army SC, CR&FC, and Sri Lanka Full Back), Lal Wijesiri (Ex-Navy, Kandy SC, and Sri Lanka Wing Three), and Nimal Wijesiri (Ex-Army SC and Sri Lanka player).
Though Sumangala College kept challenging schools’ rugby power houses regularly, later the school failed to maintain their top division status, and in 2014, they were demoted to the C Division. Hence, several past players gathered and founded “SUMMA Rugby Integration” to embark on a revival of the colleges’ rugby. This forum guided and powered the school to achieve promotion back to Division 1, Group B in 2018 and to the top division in 2023.
The Sumangala College featured in the elite-level school rugby league in 2024, and they had a disappointing run without victories. But significantly, the side managed to accumulate a double-digit score against their mighty opponents except the powerhouse Isipathana (vs Trinity 49 – 10, vs St. Thomas’ 57 – 18 , vs D.S Senanayake 76 – 10, vs Dharmaraja 32 – 12, vs Science 41 – 12, vs St. Anthony’s 25 – 17, vs Isipathana 50 – 03)
Current Outfit
The current outfit will be led by Center Three-quarter Adithya, and the Sumangala outfit faces the significant challenge from well established schools in the league. But the current squad is capable of tackling those as it represents a good mix of experiences and new talents. The Sumanagala squad consists of 19 players who have represented the previous 1st XV pool, including 8 final-year players. Therefore, the current Sumanagala side is filled with talented and skillful players who can be a cohesive unit to upset any title contender on their day.
Players to Watch Out For
The incumbent captain, Adithya Ratnayake, is a center three-quarter who is armed with both power and pace to challenge even the toughest opponent on the field. He is a well-experienced campaigner who gave ample support to the team as the vice captain last year.
Second-row player Ifky Hameed is a co-vice captain and the towering player who is agile and capable of stealing the ball, especially in lineouts. Adding strength to the forward pack, Yasiru Thiwanka is the other co-vice captain who plays as the No. 08, and he is well known for his brutal hits on opponents, which will boost the morale of the team.
Versatile player Shashika Bandara will be an added advantage who can play at scrum half, fly half, and center positions. Fullback Pasindu Samarakoon, 2nd rower Achila Saminda, center Ramika Thilakaratne, and blistering wingers are the other standout players in the side who can create the magic of the day.
Coaches
Former Sri Lanka, Kandy, CR & FC player Malith Hettiarachchi is tipped as the head coach of the Sumangala College rugby outfit. The Kingswoodian who led his school to a President’s Trophy win in 2001 will bring a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight, essential to tackle the challenge at the supreme level of school rugby. Further, he will also be the forwards coach, and the veteran will look after and mould the forwards by injecting power to develop the stamina.
Further, Asanka Perera will be the backs coach, and he will be instrumental in developing the pace, agility, and chemistry among the backs to play as a cohesive unit. Old Vidyartha player and experienced coach Anush Kolonne will be the Assistant Coach and he will be expected to continue his good work that he had done with the Tigers for a long period.
Expectations for the Season
The expectations of the boys from Asgiriya are high from the rugby fraternity of Sri Sumangala College. The main focus of the college will be to remain in the top division and to challenge their formidable opponents and outclass them by being the dark horse of the school’s league.
Sumangala Rugby has laid out a strategic plan focused on long-term skill development, aiming to achieve the title contender status within a few years. Therefore, the fans are hopeful and excited to see their team perform, with a firm belief that Sri Sumangala can pull off some significant upsets in the upcoming school league.
Full Squad
Forwards : Yasiru Thiwanka, (Vice Captain – No 08), Ifky Hameed (Vice Captain – 2nd raw), K.G.Rashmika Dilshan (Prop), Tharusha Theekshana (Hooker/Prop), Anuhas Jayasooriya (Hooker), Resandu Sahas (Hooker), T. Dilshan (Flanker), Achila Saminda (2nd raw), O. Induwara (2nd raw), Maleesha Dewshan (Wing), Mohomed Akram (Prop), Lakwidu Denuwan (Flanker/ 2nd raw), Shiwantha Madushan (Flanker), Thejaka Deshan (2nd raw), Anjana Nirmal (Flanker), Muditha Gimhana (Flanker), Lakshitha Abhilash (Flanker)
Backs : Adithya Rathnayeka Captain (Centre/ Wing), Sashika Bandara (Scrum-half /Fly-half/ Centre), Y.L. Masith Induwara (Scrum-half), Ramitha Kavinda (Centre), Pasindu Bhanuka (Wing), Shaluka Abhishek (Wing), Pasindu Samareakoon (Fly-half/Full-back), Pabasara Nirmal (Wing), Naveeja Aknath (Fly-half), Niwton San Santhaka (Wing), Akila Kumara (Wing), Pasindu Gimhana (Wing), Praveen Udagedara (Wing), Chamod Nirmal (Full-back/ Fly-half).
The Summa Brigade will travel to Colombo just once this year, as they will play the rest of the 4 games in the hill capital, Kandy, with 3 of them taking place at their home venue, Bogambara Stadium.
Can Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College become a giant killer by shattering the hopes of a title contender? Only time will tell!
Sumangala College Rugby Fixtures – 1st Round
- vs Trinity College – 06th June at TCK Grounds, Pallekele
- vs Royal College – 14th June at Bogambara
- vs Vidyartha College – 20th June at Bogambara
- vs Thurstan College – 27th June at Bogambara
- vs St. Joseph’s College – 05th July at CR & FC
Sumangala College – Rest of the Rugby Staff
- Manusha Kavinda -Team Manager
- Mohan De Alwis – 1st XV trainer /Physio/ Masseur
- Master in Charge – Srinath De Silva
