Bandara returns to Ratmalana with Kandy

By Harsha Amarasinghe

One of Kandy Sports Club’s major signings at the end of last season, second row Thilina Bandara will return to Ratmalana as the reigning champions kick-off the second round at the Air Force grounds tomorrow (25).

Bandara played a few seasons for Air Force before breaking into the Sri Lanka national squad last year following some impressive performances and Kandy, having kept close tabs on the player, were quick to sign him up and bolster their options in second row.

The lanky lock forward struggled for game time in what has been a perfect season for Kandy who are storming to their sixth straight title, but Bandara has been paired up with Suhiru Anthony in the second row for tomorrow's game.

Number eight Buwaneka Udangamuwa who has arguably been the best player of the ongoing season, has been rested according to the Kandy management with Shehan Pathirana taking his place at the back of scrum with in-form Jason Dissanayake and Tharindu Chathuranga flanking him.

Scrum-half Roshan Weeraratne who was able to make an instant impact since returning from injury in the fourth week has been given a break with another senior campaigner, Srinath Sooriyabandara, named in the starting line-up to form a half-back combination with captain Nigel Ratwatte.

Head coach Fazil Marija has put his faith in the centre partnership of Tarinda Ratwatte and Lavanga Perera while the back three of Buddhima Piyarathne, Kavindu Perera and Danush Dayan keeping their place in the first XV.

Meanwhile, Air Force have been dealt some major injury blows with three players from their stunning win over CH and FC set to miss the Kandy clash.

Fly-half Charith Seneviratne who added eight points in the last match with his place kicking has been ruled out with a shoulder injury while wing three quarter Ishara Madushan has suffered a knee injury.

Hooker Parakrama Ratnayake is also unlikely to play, with a neck injury.

Air Force XV: Niroshan Rajanayake, Shamika Kaushan, Nuwan Rajakaruna, Thimira Amanda, Sashika Fernando, Anjula Hettiarachchi, Gimhana Silva, Saraka Warella, Gayantha Iddamalgoda and Amitha Prabath, Kaushan Manupriya, James Tuteovuya, Ramzan Amith, Rukshan Madushanka, Faris Ali

Kandy XV: Ganuka Dissanayake, Damith Dissanayake, Lasitha Attanagoda, Suhiru Anthony, Thilina Bandara, Jason Dissanayake, Tharindu Chathuranga, Shehan Pathirana, Srinath Sooriyabandara and Nigel Ratwatte (c), Buddhima Piyarathne, Tarinda Ratwatte, Lavanga Perera, Kavindu Perera, Danush Dayan