Vidyartha back in the top league

By Shamseer Jaleel

Vidyartha College have earned their promotion to the Schools Rugby 1A Division for the 2027 season following a dominant campaign in Division 1B. 

The Kandy school has displayed consistency and attacking flair throughout the season, earning their place among the country’s elite rugby-playing schools.

The team has been guided by head coach Anurudha Wilvara with Radeesha Senevirathne serving as Forwards coach, Oshada Kodagoda as the trainer and Chamara Kumara as the kicking coach with hard working Upul Bandara Weerasinghe been the team manager of the outfit for more than a decade.

The outfit was led by Sadew Dilshara while vice captain Pamudotha Narayana has provided valuable support both on and off the field.

Vidyartha’s success has been built on a well-balanced squad that combined powerful forwards play with an exciting backline. Their impressive performances throughout the league ensured a promotion before their final fixture of the season which will be a much-anticipated encounter against city rivals Dharmaraja today at the Trinity ground Pallekele and expected to attract a large crowd providing an ideal finale to a memorable season. 

Vidyartha beat St Sylvester’s, St Aloysius, Sri Piyarathna, St Benedict’s and Maliyadeva.

Vidyartha has long been recognised as one of Sri Lanka’s proud rugby nurseries, producing numerous outstanding players who have gone on to represent leading club teams and the Sri Lanka side. The school’s rich rugby tradition, combined with its continued commitment to player development, has ensured a steady supply of talented players to the higher levels of the game.

With promotion secured, Vidyartha will now look forward to testing themselves against the country’s strongest schools in the 2027 1A competition and re-establishing their place among Sri Lanka’s rugby elite.