National Rugby Selection Committee headed by former national player and coach Sudath Sampath has selected a cream of 35 player national squad for the much awaited repechage game of Asian Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship against Malaysia on 19th April 2025 at the Racecourse Grounds.
Major worry for the Tuskers is that few talented players who were highlighted during inter club tournaments were unavailable for the selection due to injuries and for few other reasons. The Tuskers have only a few days time for their preparation and it is another obstacle that Tuskers are facing at the present.
- Sri Lanka name 60 player squad for Rugby World Cup Qualifier game against Malaysia
- Sanath Martis assumes the duties of Head Coach of Sri Lanka Rugby
The selected squad will be trained under the watchful eyes of the field specialist and National Head Coach Sanath Martis. Further experienced Dushantha Lewke will be the assistant coach of forwards while veteran coach Saliya Kumara will take care of backs in the capacity of the other assistant coach. Final 25 member national rugby squad will be announced after having a few practice sessions. Sri Lankan Rugby Fraternity is in a firm belief that the Tuskers will cross their second hurdle successfully on their way to Rugby World Cup 2027, Australia.
Preliminary Sri Lankan National Squad
Kandy SC (9 Players) – Malitha Wijesundara, Dhanuska Ranjan, Dinal Ekanayake, Tharindu Chathuranga, Shahid Zumri, Thilina Bandara, Heshan Janson, Daham Wickramarchchi, Nigel Rathwatta
Havelock SC (4 Players) – Janindu Fernando, Sudesh Jayawickrama, Jayathu Rajarathne, Mohamed Rifan,
CH&FC (6 Players) – Pulasthi Dasanayake, Nirosh Perera, Janidu Dilshan, Pasidu Bandara, Vimukthi Gamage, Dinesh De Silva
CR&FC (7 Players) – Senura Perera, Wenura Kodagoda, Naveen Marasinghe, Lasindu Karunathilaka, Murshid Doray, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Thanuja Jayaweera
Police SC (5 Players) – Thabeeth Hafiz, Lahiru Thilakarathne, Primesh Danushka, Akash Madushanka, Hirantha Perera
Air Force SC (1 Player) – Shamika Kaushan
Navy SC (1 Player) – Denuwan Hansaka
Army SC (1 Player) – Nalaka Maduranga
Sri Lions SC (1 Player) – Mohamed Nizran Niller
