Battle for the ‘Crossed Oars’ takes to Beira Lake for its 50th anniversary

Rowing team captains with the T. Noel Fernando Memorial Trophy. St Thomas’ College is led by Dharaka Peiris (left) with Sajjad Ajmal captaining the Royal College oarsmen

Traditional rivals Royal College, Colombo and S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, meet head-to-head for yet another annual encounter, as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Royal-Thomian Regatta.

The Regatta is the third oldest sporting encounter between Royal College and S. Thomas' College, after the Battle of the Blues Cricket Encounter and Rugby Encounter. 

Royal College Colombo was the first school in Sri Lanka to start its own rowing program in 1953, with S. Thomas College commencing during the latter part of 1961. What started off as a single ‘Boat Race’ in 1962 for the coveted ‘Crossed Oars Trophy’, quickly evolved into the Royal-Thomian Regatta by 1966, as both teams battled out for the prestigious T. Noel Fernando Memorial Trophy. 

The evolution of the event continued, as the ‘Boat Race’ transformed into a regatta format with a line-up of 6 events, namely: Coxed Fours, Coxed Pairs (rowed coxless in the present day), and Single Sculls in two senior and junior categories. As at 2009, the event composition had changed yet again to accommodate 8 events, with the introduction of the double sculls, both junior and senior category.

The Royal-Thomian regatta makes its mark in the history books as the oldest regatta in the schools’ community, the second oldest regatta in the island, and the longest standing rowing competition in Sri Lanka. 

S. Thomas’ College, with 23 years’ worth of wins, is being led by Dharaka Peiris with Sajjad Ajmal captaining the Royal College oarsmen, who have been successful 21 times. Five of the regattas over the last 50 years have ended with ‘ties’.

This historic regatta is scheduled to take place on 26 October from 11:30 am onwards, at the Colombo Rowing Club. 

The event has been powered by UTS Insearch Sri Lanka, Ceyline Group, John Keells Properties and CIMA Sri Lanka, all of who have generously pledged their support to ensure this historic regatta is a success.  

S. Thomas’s College. Seated from left: Anuradha Nadaraja (Coach), Dinesh Kumarasingha (DOS), Chahel Samarasinghe (Vice-Captain), Asanka Perera (sub-Warden), Dharaka Peiris (Captain), Carmen Fernando (TIC), Sajin de Livera (Coach). Standing (1st row from left): Shenal Rathnaweera, Avinash Rajaguru, Niran Warawitta, Ashan Walpola, Ashika Rathnaweera, Shanara Senaratna, Bhanuka Rathnayaka ,Arittha Raddalgoda, Abhishek Nanayakara; (2nd row from left) Chevon Perera, Rishen Perera, Nadiv Jayathilaka, Seth Stork, Vinuk Rathnayaka, Dhanuk Desilva, Vihanga Kudaligama, Devotta, Andrew Desilva; (3rd row from left) Navika Moolamure, Ayuka Amarasekara , Aeden Janz, Anik Wijeyratne, Mahith Nanayakara, Dian Canisious

Royal College. Seated from left: Poorna Kahingala (Gym Coach), Lahiru Herath (Assistant Coach) , M. A. M. Riyaz (Senior Games Master), Sajaad Ajmal (Captain), B. A. Abeyrathna (Principal), Jehan Happugalle (Vice-Captain), I. D. Wijendra (T.I.C), Mohamed Rifath (Head Coach), Charin Wijethilake (Assistant Coach). Standing (1st row from left): Dinal Aluthgama, Deelaka Mahale, Gamindu Tennakoon, Gavik Kuruppu(secretary), Yumin Perera, Maliq Hassen, Mayukha Gamage, Chaniru Hewamanna; (2nd row from left) Nikhil Gunasekara, Umar Mohideen, Maneth Pothupitiya, Minula Algoda, Viruna Cooray, Niven Dorabawila, Thaviru Hettiarachi