Kandy SC declares reasons for Pakistan-like U-turn

Calls on Sri Lanka Rugby to go back to traditional League format

Feb.18 (Mirror Sports) - Defending League rugby champions Kandy Sports Club has in a letter signed by its secretary Sujeewa Liyanage declared its reasons why it chose to compromise on its jealously guarded pride and decide to go against its own conviction and play in what is being touted as the “grand final” to determine the winners of the 2025-26 inter club championship. 

Before the start of the League in November 2025, Kandy SC in a letter to Sri Lanka Rugby stated it will not play in the “grand final” and stick to the format of the table toppers being declared as champions which has been the case over the past 20 or more years that made them the undisputed and unprecedented title holders on more than 20 occasions. 

Kandy SC also stated in the letter before the start of the 2025-26 League in November last year that they would not contest the “grand final” even if they end up second in the League points table. 

They ended second at the completion of the League matches last week.

Kandy SC’s response: We refer to the article published in today’s (Feb 18) edition of the Daily Mirror concerning Kandy Sports Club and our decision to participate in the upcoming League Grand Final. 

At the outset, we wish to state unequivocally that Kandy Sports Club has not deviated from its long-standing position in principle. We continue to maintain that the League Championship should be awarded to the team that finishes at the top of the points table at the conclusion of the two league rounds. 

That has been the traditional and most equitable method of determining the League winner. Our earlier correspondence addressed to Sri Lanka Rugby, which was also published by your newspaper, clearly articulated our objections to altering the format of the League by introducing a Grand Final after the completion of two rounds. That position was based purely on matters of sporting fairness and governance. 

However, it is important to clarify the circumstances that led to our participation in the Grand Final. Prior to the commencement of the tournament, all participating clubs were required to enter into a formal participation agreement with Sri Lanka Rugby, agreeing to abide by the stipulated tournament format and its terms and conditions. 

In order to ensure that our players had the opportunity to compete in this year’s League tournament. Had we refused to do so, our players would have been deprived of the opportunity to play competitive rugby this season. Such a decision would have not only denied them match exposure, but also adversely affected their livelihoods and income. In addition, our loyal supporters in Kandy would have been denied the opportunity to witness top-level domestic rugby. 

Our decision to contest the Grand Final must therefore be understood in this broader context. It is not a contradiction of principle, but a responsible and practical decision taken in the best interests of our players, our members, and our supporters, while remaining bound by the contractual obligations we undertook at the start of the season. 

We sincerely hope that Sri Lanka Rugby will review the format in the forthcoming season and consider reverting to the traditional structure, whereby the League title is awarded to the team that finishes first at the conclusion of the two rounds.