‘Inter Plantation Rugby Sevens’ kicks off tomorrow in Hatton

From left: Lak Govijana Fertilisers Senior Marketing Manager Migara Meegahakumbura, Lak Govijana Fertilisers Chairman/MD A.P. Balashanmugham, DMCC Tournament Convener, Manjula Samarakoon, DMCC Committee Member, Robin Winter and DMCC Secretary,  Ravindra Sannasurita

• Powered by Lak Govijana Fertilisers popular tourney for Colombia Trophy returns after two year absence due to COVID pandemic 

The 20th inter plantation rugby sevens will come alive tomorrow (8 April 2023)  at its home venue Dickoya Dharawela Cricket Club, famous by its acronym DMCC, in Hatton. 

This year’s tournament, which takes place after a lapse of two years due to the COVID pandemic, will feature 12 teams and is expected  to attract scores of rugby-loving planters, their families, and friends. 

The leading fertiliser brand Lak Govijana Fertilisers which provides high-quality Fertiliser to the plantation industry has come forward as the tournament’s main sponsor with a lavish sponsorship. 

“We have been closely working with the plantations industry since our inception. As a responsible brand, we are always geared to assist our trade partners in their social endeavors. This is why we decided to extend financial support to the planters’ rugby sevens which is a prestigious sporting event amongst planters,” Lak Govijana Fertilisers Senior Marketing Manager Migara Meegahakumbura said.

The 20th version of the tournament will field 12 teams coming from leading plantation companies namely Thalawakele, Kelani Valley, Elpitiya, Hatton, Bogawantalawa, Mathurata, Malwatte Valley, Balangoda, Maskeliya , Kotagala and Agarapathana combine (Lankem), Kegalle and Namunukula combine (Arpico) and Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation. All these teams comprise leading schoolboy ruggerites of the yesteryears and are amply supported by the regional plantation companies who are vying to grab the Colombia championship. 

Very well-known senior planter and sports promoter Manjula Samarakoon is the tournament convener this year, too. “We, as the DMCC, are very proud to stage this tournament every year which is a flagship event in the planters’ calendar. As the event did not take place last three years due to the pandemic, we foresee that this year’s tournament will be well patronised as it comes alive again at the DMCC. We have lined up everything that matters for an elite rugby event,” Samarakoon said.

DMCC is a popular hub of sports and entertainment for planters. The club boasts 152 years of continuous operations from its inception in 1870. Being a name synonymous with sports, DMCC organises the annual inter-plantation sevens which were started in 2003. 

Lak Govijana Fertilisers has been a close ally of the plantation companies as they provide the best quality Fertiliser since its inception in 1990. Headed by Chairman and Managing Director A.P. Balashanmugham the company strives to provide products that meet modern goals associated with sustainability and profitability which are pivotal for the success of the plantation firms.