Sri Lanka pick revamped squad for South Korea match

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka Rugby has announced a largely revamped squad for the final match of the Asia Rugby Top Three Mens Championship 2026 against South Korea on Saturday. With several frontline players unavailable due to injuries and commitments with the Sevens programme, the selectors have been forced to field what is effectively a second-string squad for the decisive encounter. Despite the setbacks, Sri Lanka will take confidence from their spirited performance against eventual champions Hong Kong, where they narrowly lost 15-14 in Colombo. Hong Kong later underlined their dominance by defeating South Korea 45-9 to secure a seventh consecutive Asian title, highlighting how competitive Sri Lanka’s display was against the tournament winners. 

The squad will be led by skipper Lasindu Karunatilleke with experienced campaigners Pulasthi Dassanayake, Tharindu Chaturanga, Thilina Bandara and Mursheed Doray expected to shoulder more responsibility. Pasidu Bandara, Gemunu Chethiya, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Arosha Ratnayake and Yuwan Pathirana have also been entrusted with key roles. The Number 9 jersey remains a toss-up between Hashan Maduranga and Vidura Amaneth, while the backline will look to the creativity of Doray and the finishing ability of Pathirana and Ratnayake.

Sri Lanka squad: Vimukthi Gamage, Pulasthi Dassanayaka, Hansitha Silva, Thilina Bandara, Naveen Marasinghe, Tharindu Chathuranga, Denuwan Wickramaarachchi, Lasindu Karunathilake (Captain), Himal Harsha, Isuru Umayanga, Pasindu Thakshila, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Gemunu Chethiya, Arosh Rathnayake, Mursheed Doray, Shamika Kaushan, Sabith Musheen, Nisal Silva, Shenal Adikaram, Udesh Madushanka, Viduna Amaneth, Dimuth Perera and Janith Chandimal.