This season marks a momentous occasion for S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, as they celebrate their 70th rugby anniversary. 

With this significant milestone, the School by the Sea is more determined than ever to make a strong bid for long-awaited first XV silverware in the Schools Rugby League 2025. 

Led by skipper Venuka Wickramasuriya, who is ably assisted by his deputy Seneshka Liyanagunawardana, the Thomians are a strong outfit that has been yearning for a league title since the new millennium, when they last won the league under Gavin Jayasekara. 

They last tasted silverware in 2009 under Shavin Kapuwatte, winning the President’s Trophy knockouts. 

The 2025 Thomian coaching setup is powered by a set of well-established personalities. The Isipathana trifecta of Head Coach Anuranga Walpola, Backs Coach Krishan Wettasinghe, and Assistant Coach/Forwards Coach Omalka Gunaratne has done wonders, along with drop goal maestro, Kicking Coach Dev Anandh. 

The Thomians have a long way to go in the season with a point to prove in their 70th year of chasing the oval ball since the first touch in 1955 under Noel Gratiaen. From 1989 to 1991, S. Thomas’ College rugby experienced a truly golden era under the expert guidance of legendary Coach Quentin Israel. 

This period saw the Thomians achieve an incredible unbeaten streak of 47 matches, securing both the League and Knockout titles for three consecutive years. This remarkable success was spearheaded by exceptional leadership from Captains Rizwie Suhayb (1989), Narein Perera (1990), and Charya de Saram (1991).

S. Thomas’ College boasts a rich history of nurturing exceptional rugby talent, with many players going on to represent the national team. 

This esteemed list includes early legends like Cholmondeley Henricus, Dickie Jayatilleke, Larry Schokman, Tony Sirimanne, Bumpy Jayasekera, Junie Cader, Michael Jayasekara, P.L. Munasinghe, Kolitha Gunatilleke, Asanga Seneviratne, and Chaminda Rupasinghe. 

More recent stars such as Savantha de Saram, Ashean Karthelis, H.C. Perera, Anuruddha Wilwara, Naveen Henakankanamge, and the Rajapaksa brothers have continued this proud tradition.

Backs: Akith Cooray, Venuka Wickramasuriya (Captain), Avishka Perera, Chanuth Eheliyagoda, Mayanka Dias, Jovin Albert, Daren George, Archer Mendis, Lahan Aknila, Seneshka Liyanagunawardana, Binodhra Adish, Zaydaan Akbar, Dhevin Seneviratne, Rajeev Shanker, Joel Cameron, and Udan Bulathsinhalage

Forwards: Dinel Perera, Chasin De Silva, Vishwa Ariyawansa, Shaveen Goonaratne, Senesh Mihiranga, Jehan Wanigasooriya, Panduka Jayasena, A. Imran, Jeison Gnanadass, Rometh Wijesinghe, Tieshya Aluwihare, Kavith Samarasinghe, Dhruv Perera, Zayan Hameed, Mohamed Ibrahim, Rehaan Jayaweera, Daniyar Singh, Shalyn Wanigasooriya, Mckyle Karunaratne, Eyan Pereira, and Sithil Perera

Results: Round 1

• 7 June – vs. Kingswood at Big Club Grounds (won 29-28) 
• 14 June – vs. Zahira at Big Club Grounds (won 43-19)
• 21 June – vs. Mahanama at Air Force Ground (won 50-35) 
• 27 June – vs. Dharmaraja in Nittawela (won 48-5) 
• 5 July – vs. Isipathana at Big Club Grounds (Rizwie Suhayb Memorial Trophy) (won 36-24)