Let’s take a closer look at the Vidyartha College Rugby team competing in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025.
History
Better known as ‘The Tigers’, Vidyartha College has produced a number of skilled rugby players for club and country over the past couple of years. Rugby was introduced to Vidyartha College in 1959 by a few Old Trinitians together with the guidance of the then Principal A. Athauda.
Ever since Vidyartha College has been in and out of the top league, but has always been a team that has threatened the big names. They have historically played the game with huge passion and enthusiasm, with arguably their best season being in 2012.
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The most recent piece of silverware in their cabinet is the 2022 School’s Sevens Title. In 2024, under the leadership of Center Gayan Perera, the Tigers finished in the 5th spot in their group, having registered 3 wins and 4 losses.A season that they would look to reflect on and learn from.
Current Outfit
The team will be led by a Center for the 2nd year running, as Praveen de Mel will take charge of the team. He will be supported by Pasindu Rajapakshe as his deputy.
The team narrowly missed out on the quarter finals in the Dialog Schools Knockout Championship 2025, losing to Zahira College in a closely fought battle.
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Players to Watch out for
Skipper Praveen de Mel will play a crucial role for the Vidyartha Tigers in the backline. His skills and experience will be their most important asset going into the league.
Sadew Theekshana is another player that could spark some magic for the Vidyarthians. Historically Vidyata is known to field a fast running back line, and it is no different this year as well.
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Kavishka Welikadge, a young and exciting prospect for Vidyartha will also play a pivotal role in the pack. With a few more seasons under his belt, he will look to make a mark for himself and his team this season.
Coaches
The Vidyartha College coaching staff will be headed by the experienced and highly decorated Nilfer Ibrahim, a former Kingswood, Kandy SC and Navy SC Player. He took charge of the National 7s outfit as the Head Coach a few years back as well.
Radeesha Senevirathne will take charge of the forwards, while Anuruddha Wilvara will be the backs coach.
The rest of the back room staff includes Upul Bandara Weerasinghe as the Team Manager and Kusal Bandara as the S&C Trainer.
The experienced coaching set-up will look to bring a few pieces of silverware back to the hill capital.
Expectations for the Season
The expectations from the Vidyartha Tigers are pretty simple. They will look to rebuild their team and finish in the top 2 in the group stage. They are grouped alongside, Royal, Trinity, St. Joseph’s, Sri Sumangala and Thurstan.
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They will need to pip a few of the big guns and cause a massive upset, if they are to end in the top 2, but they will take the season a game at a time, and focus on the challenge at hand. They will start their season off against St. Joseph’s College.
The only factor against them, is that they have only one home fixture in the league.
Full Squad
Praveen De Mel, Yoshitha Bandara,Didula Bandara, Heshan Kapugoda, Udana Nilshan, Pamuditha Narayane, Sadew Theekshana , Pasindu Menaka, Dinusha Dilshan, Dulen Prabashwara, Kalana Kaushika , Hevin Keshan, Sanmeth Adhikari, Achira Senathilake, Dinesh Bandara, Sithum Methsara, Danithu Sethmara, Mohommed Raziq, Kavishka Welikadge, Kenula Wijethunga, Ashen Gunathilake, Hirushika Fernando, Kavindu Hewage, Vihanga Sathsindu, Tehan Halkewela, Sadeesha Bandara, Thimesh Rathnayake, Yoshitha Wickramasinghe, Delon Premachandra, Purnima Heshan, Nimesh Arosha, Hoshitha Ariyasinghe, Yasmitha Hiran, Tharindhu Daham, Gihan Prabath, Avishka , Yoshitha, Ashen Indhuwara, Osilu Rathnayake, Pasindu Rajapaksha, Kavindu Lakshitha, Sineth Adhikari, Ometh Wickramasinghe, Saditha Bandara, Disas
Fixtures
- Vs St. Joseph’s College – 7th June at Nittawela
- Vs Trinity College – 14th June at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele
- Sri Sumangala College – 20th June at Bogambara
- Vs Royal College – 28th June at the Royal College Sports Complex
- Vs Thurstan College – 5th July at the Air Force Grounds, Rathmalana
