- No change in dates says Nimmana
Despite a significant effort by rugby enthusiasts across the island nation to reschedule the knockout quarterfinal games slated for Sunday 4 May at 4 p.m. – which include Isipathana vs. Wesley and Royal vs. DSS at Royal Complex and Havelock Park, respectively – due to the Sri Lanka National Rugby ‘Tuskers’ hosting the New Zealand All Blacks Under-85 kg team in Kandy at the same time, these efforts appear to have been unsuccessful.
At the wake of this matter, Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports A.H.M.U Aruna Bandara, in a letter (dated 30.04.2025) – addressed to the Secretary of the Ministry of Education to which schools rugby comes under purview and copied to Director General, Department of Sports Development and President, Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association – has requested the Education Ministry Secretary to facilitate a postponement of the games scheduled on 4 May to avoid the scatter of spectators by signifying the importance of such a historic game.
Speaking to The Daily Morning Sports last evening, Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) Secretary Manuja Nimmana said: “As of now, we are going ahead with the scheduled dates and the matches will be played on Sunday (4), however if there are any last minute changes we will be issuing the latest updates as quick as possible, but at this moment we have made no changes.”
It is the first time in 118 years that a national rugby team from New Zealand is set to be featured in any kind of rugby internationals on Lankan soil. The Daily Morning Sports reliably learns that the schools body had planned their tournament well in advance and finalised the draws in December 2024 whereas the itinerary of the New Zealand under-85 kg tour was finalised in February this year.
President’s Trophy Knockout Quarterfinals
Saturday, 3 May
Zahira qualified for the semifinal (due to St. Peter’s withdrawal)
Trinity vs. S. Thomas’ at Havelock Park – 4.15 p.m. – Both teams are facing each other at the knockouts after many years. Last meeting 2024 (league) TCK 31-08 STC
Sunday, 4 May
Royal vs. D.S. Senanayake at Havelock Park – 4.15 p.m. – The Royalists have never lost to DS in their rugby history whilst the Donz are aiming to rewrite history in gold this weekend.
Isipathana vs. Wesley at Royal Complex – 4.15 p.m. – Last meeting 2018 WCC 22-15 IC (knockouts) Last meeting 2023 (league) IC 24-11 WCC
St. Peter’s withdraw from KO tourney
Issuing a letter addressed to the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association on Thursday (1 May), Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo, the Rector/Principal of St. Peter’s College Colombo officially declared the withdrawal of his school team from the ongoing President’s Trophy Knockout Rugby Tournament.
This latest development comes amidst certain allegations levelled against some of the senior players in the 1st XV team after a training camp held in mid April. The Peterites were set to play Zahira College on Saturday (3) at the Royal Complex in their quarterfinal clash. In 2023 St. Peter’s won the double (league and knockout) and last year they were league champs and knockout runners-up against Isipathana.