Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) experienced a great deal of difficulties during the last three years. Despite all the struggles, the current committee has kept the boat afloat. After declaring the 2022/’23 rugby season as the Year of Tournaments, the new council headed by Rizly Illyas will be re-establishing all the tournaments that were played two years ago and introducing new tournaments, especially in the provinces. 

Sevens Rugby being an Olympic sport for both men and women, SLR is introducing women’s 10-a-side rugby for the first time in the 144-year history of rugby in Sri Lanka, to be played with Nippon Paint as the main sponsor.

The first game of the tournament was played between the Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Navy women’s teams. The Army women’s team beat the Navy team by 26 points to 22 at Welisara. 

It was the hosts who opened the scoring through Shanika Madumali. In response, Army scored 3 tries. Piumi Nisansala scored twice while Ayesha Kaluarachchi scored the other. Charani Liyanage converted 2 tries. 

Sailors came back strong in the second half with 3 tries. Sandika Hemakumari scored 2 while Samantha Jayamali scored the other. At the end, both sides scored 4 tries each but Sailors managed to convert 3 of them while Soldiers managed only 1. 

Full time: Army SC 26 – 22 Navy SC