By Shamseer Jaleel
Trinity College, Kandy emerged as the biggest winners at the Dialog Schools Rugby Awards 2026, capping a remarkable season by retaining the Division 1 Segment A Cup at the glittering awards ceremony held at the BMICH.
Organised by Dialog Axiata, the principal sponsor of Sri Lanka Schools Rugby, the annual awards celebrated the outstanding performances of schools, players and coaches who lit up the 2026 rugby season. More than 2,700 players representing 90 schools competed across the island, reflecting the continued growth and popularity of school rugby in Sri Lanka.
Trinity’s triumph in the premier Division 1 Segment A Cup crowned a season in which the Kandy school dominated the local schools rugby scene. Zahira College finished runners-up in the Cup competition after another impressive campaign. This was the Trinitians’ back-to-back League win, after winning under Usman Safraz in 2025 and under Shan Althaf this year.
St. Joseph’s College and Thurstan College shared the Plate honours, while Science College and Kingswood College secured the Bowl titles.
The awards also highlighted the strength of rugby outside the established schools. In Division 1 Segment B, Vidyartha College and Dharmaraja College contested the Cup honours, while Richmond College, Maharagama Central and Lalith Athulathmudali College were among the schools recognised in the Plate and Bowl categories.
Dialog also honoured champions from Divisions 2 and 3, with schools from Kurunegala, Hambantota, Bandarawela, Galle, Ibbagamuwa, Ruwanwella and several emerging rugby centres receiving awards, underlining the expanding footprint of the sport across Sri Lanka.
Dialog is the principal sponsor of Sri Lanka’s national cricket, volleyball and esports teams, supports athletes competing at the National Para Games and Paralympic Games, is the principal sponsor of the Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship, backs the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball Championship, and partners with the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka in supporting the country’s preparations for the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Pic By-Sameera Wijesinghe
