By Shamseer Jaleel

The Inter-Club rugby season 2024/2025 will kick-off in November with nine teams to lock horns with Sri Lions SC awaiting their debut, which was cleared by the Director General of Sports and now being forwarded to the Chairman, National Sports Council (NSC).

While the participation of Sri Lions SC was approved by the Director General Sports, Dr. Shemal Fernando, a few clubs in Colombo showed their disapproval at a recently held meeting at the Ministry of Sports.

Dr. Fernando approved the Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) proposal signed by Retired Group Captain Nalin de Silva, who was the Point of Contact at SLR.

But later, as objections came up from some clubs, Director General passed the final decision to be made by the NSC.

Meanwhile, the Dubai-based Dr. Kelum Sujith Perera, founder and Chairman of Sri Lions SC said: “Sri Lions is a club that has aspirations to take Sri Lankan sports to another level with their priority on professionalism and transparency. An example of this is the fact that they require for all of their players to have the World Rugby Level 1 Qualification.”

“Sri Lions SC boasts 12 former national players, moreover, adding onto our squad are some of the top new talents in Sri Lanka from the recently concluded school rugby league, further emphasising our commitment to development.”

“It is our dream to introduce some new Sri Lankan players who have the potential to carry the Sri Lankan flag up high similar to how we do in the Dubai Sevens International Open Men's Tournament.”

“Finally, the Sri Lions SC Ladies' and Youth Academy have been very successful so far and we have our sights to develop a branch of Sri Lions in every Sri Lankan District, to give more opportunity to unseen talent.”

“We have a long road ahead of us and we appreciate the people who help up get here and the people who will help us get further and develop the outlook of Sri Lankan sports in general.”

CR and FC

The defending champions, CR and FC are privileged to have floodlights at Longden Place for the first time this season, which is an added comfort. Havelock SC and the CH and FC are the other two clubs having with same facilities at present.

Schools in and around Colombo will be able to host their school games as well for the first time at Longden Place.

CR and FC will be led by former St. Joseph’s College player, Gemunu Chetiya with plenty of youths in their squad who are hard at training for the last two months.

They will be once again coached by former Royalist, Kandy SC, CR and FC and national player plus present Royal Head Coach, Dushantha Lewke.

He will be assisted by Lasintha de Costa with former Isipathana College and national player, Rohan Chinthaka as the Managing of the outfit.

Kandy SC

Kandy Sports Club will be keen to bring back the League to the Central Hills, which they lost last season to the CR and FC. Kandy SC, who opted out at the Clifford Cup last season will be led by former Isipathana and national sevens specialist Srinath Sooriyabandara.

The Kandy SC outfit will be once again coached by former Kandy SC, national sevens and fifteens player and present Trinity College Head Coach, Fazil Marija with Henry Terrance looking after the forwards and Kapila Silva Managing the outfit.

Havelock SC

Third placed in the League last season plus the runners-up at the Clifford Cup knock-out Tournament Havelock SC will be banking with young blood this season.

The Havies are led by former Peterite player Abdullah Faiz with former Vidyartha College, Trinity, Kandy SC and national player plus the Head Coach of St. Anthony’s College Saliya Kumara as the Head Coach. He will be supported by Danushka Boteju.

CH and FC

Meanwhile, veteran Sanath Martis will be the Head Coach of the CH and FC. They ended the league in fourth place and semi-finalists at the Clifford Cup last season, which was a below par performance for Martis, who will be looking for a better ending this season around.

Janidu Dilshan will lead the outfit with Lakala Perer and Rohitha Rajapaksa assisting Martis. The only Lady Manageress in top division rugby, Udani Edirisinghe will manage the outfit once more.

Police SC

The defending Clifford Cup champions and the Plate winners in the League, Police Sports Club will be led by Mohan Wimalaratne with former Kingswood College and top-class junior coach and current sevens coach, Nilfer Ibrahim coaching the outfit.

Air Force SC

Rumesh Wasantha will lead Air Force Sports Club, who were placed sixth in the League and were quarter-finalists at the Clifford Cup. They will be privileged to have the D. S. Senanayake College Head Coach, Asela Deshapriya once more to Head the coaching unit.

Army SC

Army Sports Club, who were seventh placed in the League and quarter-finalists in the Clifford Cup will be looking for an improved season as Shamli Nawaz will head the coaching unit with Dilan Soysa assisting him.

Navy SC

Navy SC, who were placed last in the League last season, will look for an improved season under Prageeth Malewana. The Sailors will be led by Stephan Gregory.

Sri Lions SC

Sri Lions Sports Club, new kids in the block in top division will be led by former Peterite and national player Kevin Dixon with Rajiv Perera heading the coaching with Amila Chathuranga assisting him.

The Ananda College Rugby Grounds at Rajagiriya will be their home ground for the 2024/2025 season.

Meanwhile, SLR have nominated the new office-bearers for the tournament organising, sponsorship, disciplinary, technical and tournament operations, which was forwarded to the Director General for approved. Shamrath Fernando is tipped to be the Tournament Director once more.