Navy contenders for title?

By Harsha Amarasinghe and Sandun Kodithuwakku

While CH & FC has been busy in the player transfer market, Navy Sports Club has also begun to rebuild their squad with a number of top players set to join the club within the next few weeks.

Sri Lanka full-back Samuel Maduwantha is set to be the high-profile transfer as he looks set to be Navy’s last line of defense for the upcoming season. The former St. Anthony’s College kicker was in and out of CH first XV last season but having him move to Welisara should certainly be a huge signing for the Sailors.

Navy are also expected to strengthen their forward pack as they have lined up a return for number eight Niwanka Prasad and second row Sajith Saranga who left the Navy base for Maitland Crescent a few seasons ago.

CH & FC prop forward Sathya Ranatunga is also on the verge of sealing a return to Navy SC as the Maitland Crescent Club are monitoring the possibility of landing the two Kandy SC prop forwards Ganuka Dissanayake and Ashan Darling. Both the former Isipathana College players have been instrumental for title-winning Kandy SC, but sources suggest that the two front row forwards are still in negations over a possible return to Colombo.

Senior campaigner Chanaka Chandimal could be the key to their success as the veteran is likely to be their first choice fly-half for the upcoming season.

CH & FC of course will be the favourites to win the league on paper, but Kandy SC has been such a dominant force for so long and they might have the advantage in terms of team spirit and understanding among players. Navy will also be a contender should they finalize deals for these players.