Former Isipathana College and now Navy SC’s dynamic no8 Omalka Gunarathne has been appointed as the captain of the Sri Lanka U20 team ahead of the World rugby U20 trophy qualifier in Singapore. Meanwhile the nippy Peterite who debuted for Havelock SC last week in the club rugby, Kevin Dixon who also captained the Sri Lanka U:20 7’s team few months ago will be the vice-captain of the team.
Both Omalka and Kevin have been outstanding talents for their respective schools and the country. They were part of the Junior Tuskers last year under Tarinda Ratwatte’s captaincy where Sri Lanka finished as runner-up in the same tournament in Colombo. However, this year Sri Lanka will play against Singapore (13th Dec), Hong Kong (16th Dec) and Chinese Taipei (19th Dec) at Yio Chu Kang stadium in Singapore. If the junior Tuskers finish as champions Sri Lanka will get to compete in world rugby u20 trophy next year.
More players who impressed their school colours this season also debuted the club career last week. Taariq Salih, Supun Warnakulasuriya, Rehan Silva for CR&FC, Lasindu Ishan, Nishon Perera and Umesha Madhushan for Havelock’s and Reezah Raffaideen & Shawket Lahir for Police SC. Among them Buddima Piyarathne is one phenomenal talent who inspired the U20 7s team few month ago in the Asia 7s, he was part of the D.S. Senanayake College 
team in the segment B division and now contracted for the Sailors.
Interestingly there are 7 captains in this squad who played in the concluded Singer schools league 2015. Some of the players played in the last year’s competition. Josephian big prop Stephan Greogory and Trinitian Saranga Gunathilaka have not been included in to the 30 man squad, which will be further reduced to 25 in the first week of December prior to the tour.
The chairman of national rugby selectors Mr. Michael Jayasekera and his co also shortened the 35 man squad in to 30 yesterday. Head coach veteran Sanath Matis and assistant coach Collin Denish will be working with this squad with some serious practice to come. Earlier this team were in Tricomalee for 9 days on a coaching camp and a team building session.
Props
Charana Chamikara (St. Joseph), Ayesha Maduranga (Royal), Lasindu Ishan (Science / Havelock’s), Nikila Gunadeera (Royal), Udara Anjana (St. Peters)
Hooker
Supun Warnakulasuriya (Royal), Nishal Deshatha (Isipathana), Hirantha Manamendra (Kingswood)
Locks
Matheesha Sarathchandra (Isipathana / Navy), Umesh Madhushan (Royal / Havelock’s), Isuru Rangala (Trinity), Mithila Perera (Wesley)
Third row
Shawket Lahir (Royal / Police), Taariq Salih (St. Joseph / CR&FC), Omalka Gunarathne (C) Isipathana / Navy), Rahul Karunathilaka (Trinity), Chathura Dilshan (Isipathana / Navy),
Scrum half
Isuru Kongahawatte (Isipathana / Navy), Vimukhti Rahula (St. Joseph / Havelock’s)
Fly half
Rehan Silva (Isipathana / CR&FC), Gayal Jayasinghe (Royal)
Centers
Nishon Perera (St. Peters / Havelock’s), Kevin Dixon (St. Peters / Havelock’s), Banuka Gamage (Royal)
Wing / full back
Reeza Raffaideen (Kingswood / Police), Asitha Punchihewa (Isipathana / Navy), Sajith Roshan (Science), Geshan Pethiyagoda (Trinity), Buddima Piyarathne (D.S. Senanayake / Navy), Chamika Kusal (Wesley, Havelock’s), Hirantha Manamendra (Kingswood)
