Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Marketing Officer Lasantha Theverapperuma hands over the Division 1 Segment A Cup Championship Trophy to Trinity College Kandy Captain Shan Althaf, alongside Co-Captains Nisith Kumarasinghe and Udan Wijekoon. Joining him in recognising the champions is Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) President Buddhika Attanayake (fourth from left). Also present (from left): SLSRFA Treasurer Chanaka Dhananjaya, Dialog Axiata Business Media and Content Vice President Pubudu Aluthgedara, Trinity College Kandy Captain Shan Althaf, SLSRFA President Buddhika Attanayake, Dialog Axiata Group Chief Marketing Officer Lasantha Theverapperuma, Dialog Axiata Group Marketing Vice President Harsha Samaranayake, Trinity College Kandy Co-Captains Nisith Kumarasinghe and Udan Wijekoon, and SLSRFA Secretary Manuja Nimmana
From traditional rugby strongholds to schools where the game is still taking root, the Dialog Schools Rugby Awards 2026 will celebrate a season that reflected the growing reach and depth of school rugby in Sri Lanka.
Hosted by Dialog Axiata, Sri Lanka’s No #1 connectivity provider and Prolific promoter of sports, the awards ceremony was held at the BMICH on September 21, bringing together players, coaches and schools that made their mark during the season.
More than 2,700 players from 90 schools competed during the season in the Dialog Schools Rugby tournament, which continues to provide a platform for young players from across the country to represent the National Stage, aligning with Powering the Champions of Tomorrow.
The awards will recognise achievements across three divisions, each divided into several segments. The structure has allowed established rugby schools and emerging teams from different parts of the country to compete and earn recognition.
Trinity College, Kandy, claimed the Segment A Cup in Division 1, with Zahira College, Colombo, finishing runners-up. St. Joseph’s College and Thurstan College secured the Plate honours, while Science College and Kingswood College, Kandy, took the Bowl.
Division 1 also featured several of Sri Lanka’s best-known rugby schools. Isipathana College, St. Peter’s College, Wesley College, Royal College and Zahira College were among the teams recognised across the Group 1A, 2A and 3A categories.
Segment B brought further competition, particularly from Kandy. Vidyartha College and Dharmaraja College contested the Cup, while Maharagama Central College, Richmond College, Galle, and Lalith Athulathmudali College, Mount Lavinia, were among the schools recognised in the Plate and Bowl categories.
Segment C highlighted the continued spread of school rugby beyond its traditional centres. C.W.W. Kannangara Vidyalaya, Madeena National School, Thalduwa Buddhist College, St. John’s College, Nugegoda, Central College, Piliyandala, and Moratu Maha Vidyalaya were among the schools to receive recognition.
The same trend was evident in Division 2, where Nalanda College and Ibbagamuwa Central College led the Cup category. Dudley Senanayake College, Mahinda College, Galle, Ruwanwella Central College and Eheliyagoda Central College also earned honours.
Division 3 perhaps best illustrates the widening reach of the game. Haddaththawa Maha Vidyalaya, Wellassa Central College, St. Mary’s College, Hambantota, Sivali Maha Vidyalaya, Bandarawela, Hewaheta Central College, Kandy Model School, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Paduwasnuwara, and D.B. Welagedara Vidyalaya, Kurunegala, are among the schools being recognised.
Dialog is the principal sponsor of Sri Lanka’s national cricket, volleyball and esports teams. It also supports the Sri Lankan teams competing at the National Para Games and the Paralympic Games, and is the principal sponsor of the Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship. The company also supports the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball Championship and school rugby tournaments. Through its partnership with the National Olympic Committee, Dialog will continue to support Sri Lanka’s preparations for the Los Angeles Olympics.
