Schools athletics calendar released

By Susil Premalal 

Sri Lanka Schools Athletics (SLSA) has released the official event calendar for the Sir Johan Tarbat Athletic Championship, targeting the 2026 season.

A notable change this year is that Ritzbury, which had supported the Sir Johan Tarbat Championship for the past 12 years, has withdrawn its sponsorship. 

The SLSA has confirmed that the tournament will now continue under a new sponsor.

The 2026 school athletics season will begin with the Schools Age Group Relay Carnival, scheduled for May 21 to 23 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Diyagama.

Key Dates in the 2026 Schools Athletics Calendar:

May 21–23: Schools Age Group Relay Carnival – Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Diyagama

June 2–3: Sir Johan Tarbat Junior Championship (Under-12 Stage 1 – Gampaha District) – Wathupitiwala Public Ground

June 5–7: Under-12 Stage 1 (North Western & Central Provinces) – Wennappuwa Public Ground

June 20–21: Under-12 Stage 1 (Sabaragamuwa, Uva & Southern Provinces) – Beliatta Public Ground

June 30–July 2: Under-12 Stage 1 (Colombo & Kalutara Districts) – Bandaragama Public Ground

July 7–8: Under-12 Stage 1 (Northern Province & Anuradhapura District) – Duraiappa Stadium, Jaffna

July 11: Under-12 Stage 1 (Eastern Province & Polonnaruwa District) – Veber Ground

September 7–10:

Sir Johan Tarbat Senior Athletic Championship – Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Diyagama

November 3–4: Junior Championship Under-12 Stage 2 – Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Diyagama

November 4: Sir Johan Tarbat Road Race – Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Diyagama

November 5–7: Junior Championship Stage 2 – Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Diyagama

The SLSA stated that the structured calendar aims to strengthen school athletics development across all provinces and ensure wider participation in age-group competitions nationwide.