Zahira College and D. S. Senanayake College are to face each other in an annual rugby encounter for the R.I.T Alles Memorial Challenge Trophy, starting this year.
Ralph Ignatius Thomas Alles or fondly known as “Alles sir”, is known for his exceptional and excellent services he had rendered to our country as an educationalist, imparting his knowledge and wisdom to many individuals, including the current Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Establishing D. S. Senanayake College in 1967, he went onto lay many foundations during his tenure till 1981, including the sport of Rugby in 1974.
He moved on to be the Director of Education of Zahira College from 1983-1985. He was the only non-muslim Principal the College ever had. Being true to his character, Sir Alles made an impact to the students of Zahira even till today.
Speaking to the media, the Principal of D.S.Senanayake College, Mr.R.M.M Rathnayake, stated that the purpose of this memorial challenge trophy, is to build better relationships, honour the late Mr. Alles and set an example to the society as to how two different schools can come together. While Mr. Trizvii Marikkar, Principal of Zahira College, added that, how introducing an encounter as such will add more value to the game of rugby between the two schools and inculcate within the players and the students a new big-match like experience which could be carried forth in the years to come.
The match that is scheduled to take place on 16th of March, at Welisara, will mark the beginning of a new brotherly rivalry between the two schools.
