Charani to officiate Kandy vs Navy encounter

By Shamseer Jaleel

Former St. Anthony’s College, Dematagoda, Army SC and national rugby player, Charani Liyanage will make history by officiating as a referee at the Kandy SC vs Navy SC Inter-Club rugby encounter, which will take place at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium in Kandy on January 19.

Charani was the first female referee to officiate in an Inter-Schools ‘A’ Division segment game in 2024 and in 2025 she will create history as the first female referee to officiate a major club rugby encounter in Sri Lanka.

After leaving school she joined the Army SC and played rugby from 2015 to 2024 and was a member of the Sri Lanka Women’s National Team from 2016 to 2024.

She also represented the country at the Women’s Rugby Tournament of the Commonwealth Games in 2022. South Asia Gateway Terminal are the sponsors of the women’s referees with its Chairman, Ted Muttiah playing a huge role. Mastercard, NDB and Kandurata Umbrella are the other sponsors.

Chairman Selection Committee and President of Sri Lanka Referees Society Dinka Peiris and his committee are also providing exposure for Women to take up refereeing.