Sooriyapperuma out with fractured finger

By Harsha Amarasinghe

Police SC flanker Udara Sooriyapperuma has been ruled out of their second round league fixture against Air Force SC scheduled to be worked off at Police Park this evening (14).

The veteran third rower was enjoying one of the finest seasons of his career which has powered Police to the top three in the table, above top teams such as Havelock SC and CH & FC, but Sooriyapperuma looks set to miss today's match after fracturing his finger.

Police management is still uncertain about his participation in the remaining fixtures of the league competition.

Number eight Udaya Sanjula who has also struggled with injuries recently has returned to the first XV, but he will join Mohan Wimalaratne in the second row with Nisal Samadhi moving to third row to flank Kavinga Jayasundara along with Vageesha Weerasinghe.

Wing three quarter Sachith Silva who has kept six tries this season has also been sidelined in a major blow for the Cops as the Sri Lanka 7’s player has suffered an ankle injury.

Police management revealed that the former Josephian played with pain in the previous match against Havies helping them secure a vital victory, but he is unavailable for today’s game.

Kasun Rajaratne will replace him at wing three quarter.

Air Force has been boosted by the return of senior campaigner Saraka Warella who will replace Dinesh Weeraratne at number eight while former Isipathana speedster Ranidu Padmasanka will take his place at wing three quarter, and Jehan Seelagama will feature as one of the centres.

Prop Manuka Perera has also been given a chance in the front row while Yohan Philip has returned to the third row as Air Force are looking for their second win of the season.

Police XV: Hashan Fernando, Rasith Silva, Dhanushka Edirisooriya, Mohan Wimalaratne, Udaya Sanjula, Nisal Samadhi, Vageesha Weerasinghe, Kavinga Jayasundara, Primesh Dhanushka and Yohan Peiris, Shan Akila, Emosi Vunivosa, Iroshan Silva, Kasun Rajaratne, Kasun Suranga

Air Force XV: Ranuka Medagedara, Lahiru Udayanga, Manuka Perera, Thimira Amanda, Yohan Philip, Ravindu Anjula, Abhishek Fernando, Saraka Warella, Jason Karunathilake and Amith Silva, Ranidu Padmasanka, James Tuteovuya, Jehan Seelagama, Kaushalya Manupriya, Gayantha Iddamalgoda