2 weeks Ago By Thilina Walpola
Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s leading connectivity provider and long-standing patron of school sports, has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development by once again partnering with the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) to power the 2025 Under-19 School Rugby Season. In a break from tradition, this year’s tournament will begin with the prestigious President’s Trophy Knock-Out Tournament, which kicks off on 25th April, featuring sixteen top rugby-playing schools. The League Tournament will follow, drawing over 2,500 players from 90 schools, making it one of the largest school sporting events in the country.
The 2025 season promises a festival of school rugby, spread across premier venues in Colombo. The Knock-Out Tournament will spotlight the best young talent Sri Lanka has to offer, culminating in a grand finale on 18th May at Sugathadasa Stadium. Opening day fixtures on 25th April will see Wesley College take on St.
Joseph’s College at Royal Grounds, while Dharmaraja College meets D.S. Senanayake College at CR&FC Grounds.
Both matches begin at 4:15 PM. A blockbuster Saturday awaits on 26th April, with four matches lined up. At CR&FC Grounds, S.
Thomas’ College face Science College at 3:30 PM, followed by Trinity College vs. St. Anthony’s College at 6:30 PM.
Simultaneously, two more games kick off at 4:15 PM — Zahira College vs. Vidyartha College at Havelock Grounds and Sri Sumangala versus defending champions Isipathana College at Royal Grounds. The opening weekend concludes on 27th April, with St.
Peter’s College versus Thurstan College at Royal Grounds and Royal College versus Kingswood College at CR&FC Grounds, both kicking off at 4:15 PM. The quarter-finals will be held on 3rd and 4th May, followed by semi-finals on 9th and 11th May, with the season climaxing in the final at Sugathadasa Stadium. As the principal sponsor, Dialog Axiata has ensured comprehensive coverage of the tournament.
All matches will be broadcast live on Dialog Television via ThePapare TV (Channels 62 & 63) and ThePapare TV HD (Channels 126 & 127). Fans can also tune in via Dialog ViU and ThePapare.com, enabling students, alumni, parents, and supporters to follow the action from anywhere.
At the official sponsorship handover Lasantha Theverapperuma, Group Chief Marketing Officer of Dialog Axiata PLC, presented the sponsorship cheque to Kamal Ariyasinghe, President of the SLSRFA and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education. Also in attendance were Harsha Samaranayake (Vice President – Brand & Media, Dialog Axiata) and SLSRFA officials Chanaka Dhananjaya (Treasurer), Manuja Nimmana (Secretary) and Nirodha Wijerama (Tournament Secretary)..
