Sooriyabandara ruled out of Asian Rugby Sevens third leg

By Shamseer Jaleel

Former Isipathana, CR&FC and Kandy SC player, Srinarth Sooriyabandara, one of Sri Lanka’s top Sevens products, will miss out on the third leg of the Asian Rugby Sevens in Colombo this weekend due to his neck and hamstring injuries which have still not completely healed. 

Former Isipathana, CR&FC and Kandy SC player, Srinarth Sooriyabandara

This will be a major blow for the hosts, who were hoping to improve their ranking in order for them to qualify for the Hong Kong Sevens 2019 emerging team event.

Naveen Henakankanamage, Thilina Wijesinghe and Thilina Bandara from the China leg did not earn a place while Gemunu Chethiya will miss out due to injury. Kavindu Keshan and Chatura Seneviratne will make their debut in the third leg in Colombo.

Men’s team: Danushka Dyan (Captain), Jason Dissanayake (both from Kandy SC), Sudaraka Dikkumbura (Army SC), Iroshan Silva (Police SC), Reza Raffaideen, Kevin Dixon, Dinuk Amarasinghe, Janidu Dilshan (all from CR&FC), Buddhima Piyaratne, Chathura Seneviratne (both from Navy SC), Anuradha Herath, Nishon Perera (both from CH&FC) and Kavinda Keshan (Havelock SC). The team’s Head Coach is Matt Lee.

Saliya to head women’s coaching unit

Former Trinity, Kandy SC and Sri Lanka Sevens star Saliya Kumara has taken over the women’s coaching job from Sudath Sampath after the team performed disappointingly in China, finishing last. Earlier during the first leg they secured sixth position, losing to Thailand in the Plate final.

Thanuja Weerakody will miss the home series at which the women will look to make an impression in front of an appreciative home crowd at the Racecourse rugby ground on 28 and 29 September.

Women’s team: Sanjeewani De Silva (Captain), Anusha Attanayake, Dilini Kanchana, Anushika Samaraweera, Sanjeewani Perera, Nimesha Wijewardena, Dasuni De Silva, Wasana Weerakkody, Dulani Pallikondage, Nadeeka Munasinghe, Umayangana Thathsarani, Randika Kumudumali and  Sanikadilani Muthusami.