Sri Lanka name 45 for U-85kgs Kiwi tour

 Flashback 2025: Winger Kavindu Perera plays against the Under-85kgs New Zealand team. He will not be in the team this year

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka named a preliminary 45-member squad for the upcoming New Zealand Under-85kg tour, marking a significant step in the nation’s preparation for international competition. 

Sri Lanka will play two Test matches one in Colombo on April 25 at the Race Course ground and the second in Kandy on May 3.

Sri Lanka lost 2-0 against the New Zealand Under-85 kgs team that toured the island last year for the first time.

Both countries are hoping to make the series an annual feature in their rugby calendar.

CR and FC skipper Lasindu Karunathilake and Kandy SC captain Tharindu Chaturanga are the front runners for the leadership role.
Squad:

Vimukthi Deshan, Hansitha de Silva, Charith Silva, Nisal Silva, Kavisha Amarasekera, Yoshitha Sithumina, Dilshan Jayah, Sabith Mushin, Pulasthi Dassanayake, Venura Kodagoda, Shamika Kaushan, Thilina Bandara, Naveen Marasinghe, Shashika Jayawardena, Shenal Adikaram, Tharindhu Chathuranga, Lahiru Thilakarathne, Omalka Gunarathne, Oliver Buckle, Naham Hemachandra, Udesh Madushanka, Achitha Radeshan, Lasindhu Karunathilake, Chathura Dilshan, Harsha Maduranga, Vidhuna Amaneth, Kaveesha Kaluarachchi, Koojana Kulathunga, Thenunka Nanayakara, Isuru Konghage, Gayantha Iddamalgoda, Naveen Kanishka, Arkash Madushanka, Diluksha Dange, Manilka Ruberu, Promod Padmasanka, Dilshara Kodagoda, Janidhu Dilshan, Dinal Ekanayake, Gemunu Chethiya, Jayathu Rajaratna, Chemod Muthunayake, Arosh Ratnayake, Murshid Zubair and Yuwan Pathirana.

Head coach: Dushanth Lewke