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AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers final round concluded without a victory for Sri Lanka!!!
This is the first time that Sri Lanka is qualified for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 final round qualification by qualifying through 2 rounds starting from 2019.
In the first round draw, Sri Lanka had to face Macau in 2019 May and June as the first match of this journey. This match was scheduled to be played as two leagues match in 2019 May and like the first match in FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 preliminary round joint qualification.
Sri Lanka lose the first leg Match with Macau 1 – 0 and the second leg match is scheduled to be played in June 2019, but the Macue team is rejected to participate in the Sri Lankan home soil match quoting the safety of the players due to the Easter bomb attack. Therefore, Sri Lanka was awarded a win of 3 – 0 against Macau. In aggregated points of 3 – 1, Sri Lanka got through to the second round of FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023.
This round was very competitive for Sri Lanka because this is a very hard group which includes the following countries.
South Korea –29th position in the FIFA ranking
DPR Korea – 109th position in the FIFA ranking
Lebanon – 97th position in the FIFA ranking
Turkmenistan – 134th position in the FIFA ranking
Where Sri Lanka was 206th in the FIFA Ranking.
This round is also played as the home and away rounds, Sri Lanka played the following matches on home soil but unfortunately, Sri Lanka did not score a goal in all three matches.
Sri Lanka vs Turkmenistan – 0 – 2
Sri Lanka vs Lebanon – 0 – 3
Sri Lanka vs DPR Korea – 0 – 1 (This was cancelled due to the withdrawal of DPR Korea)
Sri Lanka played another match against South Korea in Seoul and it cost 8 goals for Sri Lanka again, unfortunately, Sri Lanka did not score a goal.
Other matches of the round were got postponed due to the Covid 19 outbreak to 2021 June at a centralized location in South Korea. Meanwhile, DPR Korea informed that they have decided to withdraw from the competition for internal issues. That led AFC and FIFA to decide to remove all the match results that DPR Korea played as null and avoid.
In between that, the Football Federation of Sri Lanka decided to remove the coaching panel due to the poor performance shown by the team and bring down an international coach who had a UEFA Pro coaching licence to build the team.
Bostian nation Mr Amir Alagic got appointed as the head coach and he was able to do some groundwork for this team to prepare for the future games of round 2. After his appointment, Sir Lanka played two matches and his 1st match was against Lebanon played in South Korea. In this match, Sri Lanka started very positively scoring the first goal of the tournament by the Waseem Razeek and lost the match in a marginal way 3 – 2.
The second match is against South Korea, unfortunately, Sri Lanka conceded 5 goals but it was a well-improved performance because in the first leg Sri Lanka conceded 8 goals against the same opponent.
Due to the unavailability of the DPR Korea, Sri Lanka got an opportunity to end the table in the 4th position and qualified for the final round of the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
In the AFC Asian Cup, 2023 qualification final round Sri Lanka fall into group C with Uzbekistan, Thailand and Maldives and it was kicked off on 6th June 2022 in Uzbekistan.
The host Uzbekistan dominated the entire match and easily scored three goals against Sri Lanka and won the match
| Data | Uzbekistan | Sri Lanka |
| Possession | 76% | 24% |
| Shots | 28 | 2 |
| Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Corners | 16 | 0 |
| Fouls | 6 | 7 |
| Offsides | 1 | 0 |
| xG | 3.71 | 0.34 |
The second match of the group was against Thailand and Sri Lanka showed a well-improved performance when compared to the previous match but unfortunately, Thailand scored 2 goals and win the match
| Data | Sri Lanka | Thailand |
| Possession | 50% | 50% |
| Shots | 2 | 25 |
| Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Corners | 2 | 9 |
| Fouls | 7 | 9 |
| Offsides | 0 | 3 |
| xG | 0.29 | 2.99 |
The third match of the group was against the Maldives and Sri Lanka showed a balanced performance when compared to the previous two matches but unfortunately, Maldives scored a goal and win the match.
In a summary, Sri Lanka did not win a match in this series as well.
| Team | MP | Win | GF | GA | GD | AVG | |
| 1 | Uzbekistan | 2 | 100% | 7 | 0 | 7 | 3.50 |
| 2 | Thailand | 2 | 100% | 5 | 0 | 5 | 2.50 |
| 3 | Maldives | 3 | 33% | 1 | 5 | -4 | 2.50 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | 3 | 0% | 0 | 8 | -8 | 3.50 |
AFC ආසියානු කුසලාන සුදුසුකම් ලැබීමේ අවසන් වටය ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට ජයකින් තොරව නිමා වේ!!!
AFC Asian Cup 2023 අවසන් වටයට ශ්‍රී ලංකාව සුදුසුකම් ලැබූ පළමු අවස්ථාව මෙයයි.
පළමු වටයේ දිනුම් ඇදීමේ දී ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට මෙම ගමනේ පළමු තරගය ලෙස 2019 මැයි සහ ජුනි මාසවලදී මැකාවු සමඟ මුහුණ දීමට සිදුවිය. මෙම තරඟය 2019 මැයි මාසයේදී ලීග් තරඟ දෙකක් ලෙස ක්‍රීඩා කිරීමට නියමිතව තිබූ අතර FIFA ලෝක කුසලාන 2022 සහ AFC ආසියානු කුසලාන 2023 මූලික වටයේ ඒකාබද්ධ සුදුසුකම් වල පළමු තරඟය මෙන්.
Macau vs Sri Lanka පළමු අදියරේ තරගය 1 – 0 ලෙස පරාජය වන අතර දෙවන අදියර 2019 ජුනි මාසයේදී පැවැත්වීමට නියමිත නමුත් Macue කණ්ඩායම ශ්‍රී ලංකා මව්බිමේ තරඟයට සහභාගී වීම ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කරන්නේ ක්‍රීඩකයන්ගේ ආරක්ෂාව පාස්කු බෝම්බ ප්‍රහාරය හේතුවෙනි. ඒ අනුව මැකාවු පිලට එරෙහිව 3-0ක ජයක් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට හිමිවිය. 3 – 1 සමස්ථ ලකුණු අනුව, ශ්‍රී ලංකාව 2022 FIFA ලෝක කුසලානය සහ 2023 AFC ආසියානු කුසලානය සඳහා සුදුසුකම් ලැබීමේ දෙවන වටයට පිවිසියේය.
මෙම වටය ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට ඉතා තරඟකාරී වූයේ ඉතා දුෂ්කර කණ්ඩායමක් වන බැවිනි.
South Korea –29th position in the FIFA ranking
DPR Korea – 109th position in the FIFA ranking
Lebanon – 97th position in the FIFA ranking
Turkmenistan – 134th position in the FIFA ranking
Where Sri Lanka was 206th in the FIFA Ranking.
මෙම වටය ගෘහස්ත සහ පිටත වට ලෙසද ක්‍රීඩා කරන අතර, ශ්‍රී ලංකාව පහත සඳහන් තරඟ මව්බිමේදී ක්‍රීඩා කළ නමුත් අවාසනාවකට ශ්‍රී ලංකාව තරඟ තුනේදීම ගෝලයක් වාර්තා කළේ නැත.
Sri Lanka vs Turkmenistan – 0 – 2
Sri Lanka vs Lebanon – 0 – 3
Sri Lanka vs DPR Korea – 0 – 1 (This was cancelled due to the withdrawal of DPR Korea)
ශ්‍රී ලංකාව දකුණු කොරියාවට එරෙහිව සෝල්හිදී තවත් තරගයක් ක්‍රීඩා කළ අතර ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට නැවතත් ගෝල 8ක් වැය වූ අතර අවාසනාවන්ත ලෙස ශ්‍රී ලංකාව ගෝලයක් වාර්තා කළේ නැත.
කොවිඩ් 19 පැතිරීම හේතුවෙන් වටයේ අනෙකුත් තරඟ 2021 ජුනි දක්වා දකුණු කොරියාවේ මධ්‍යගත ස්ථානයකදී කල් තබන ලදී. මේ අතර අභ්‍යන්තර ගැටළු සඳහා තරඟයෙන් ඉවත් වීමට තීරණය කර ඇති බව DPR Korea දන්වා සිටියේය. DPR කොරියාව විසින් ක්‍රීඩා කළ සියලුම තරඟ ප්‍රතිඵල ශුන්‍ය සහ වළක්වා ගැනීමට AFC සහ FIFA තීරණය කිරීමට එය හේතු විය.
ඒ අතර ශ්‍රී ලංකා පාපන්දු සම්මේලනය තීරණය කළේ කණ්ඩායම දැක්වූ දුර්වල දස්කම් හේතුවෙන් පුහුණුකරු මණ්ඩලය ඉවත් කර කණ්ඩායම ගොඩනැගීම සඳහා UEFA Pro පුහුණු බලපත්‍රයක් ඇති ජාත්‍යන්තර පුහුණුකරුවෙකු ගෙන්වා ගැනීමටයි.
Bostian ජාතියේ Amir Alagic මහතා ප්‍රධාන පුහුණුකරු ලෙස පත් කරන ලද අතර, ඔහු මෙම කණ්ඩායමට 2 වන වටයේ අනාගත තරඟ සඳහා සූදානම් වීම සඳහා යම් මූලික වැඩ කොටසක් කිරීමට සමත් විය. ඔහුගේ පත්වීමෙන් පසු ශ්‍රී ලංකාව තරඟ දෙකක් ක්‍රීඩා කළ අතර ඔහුගේ පළමු තරඟය ලෙබනනයට එරෙහිව ක්‍රීඩා කළේය දකුණු කොරියාවේ. මෙම තරඟයේදී වසීම් රසීක් විසින් තරඟාවලියේ පළමු ගෝලය වාර්තා කරමින් ශ්‍රී ලංකාව ඉතා ධනාත්මකව ආරම්භ කළ අතර තරඟය 3-2ක් ලෙස අන්ත පරාජයකට පත්විය.
දෙවන තරඟය දකුණු කොරියාවට එරෙහිව, අවාසනාවකට මෙන්, ශ්‍රී ලංකාව ගෝල 5ක් ලබා දුන් නමුත් එය හොඳ දියුණු තරගයක් ලබා දුන්නේ පළමු අදියරේදී ශ්‍රී ලංකාව එම ප්‍රතිවාදියාට ගෝල 8 ක් ලබා දුන් බැවිනි.
DPR Korea නොමැති වීම හේතුවෙන් ශ්‍රී ලංකාව 4 වන ස්ථානයෙන් ලකුණු සටහන අවසන් කිරීමට අවස්ථාවක් ලබා ගත් අතර AFC Asian Cup 2023 අවසන් වටයේ 3 වන වටයට සුදුසුකම් ලබා ගත්තේය.
AFC ආසියානු කුසලාන 2023 සුදුසුකම් ලැබීමේ අවසන් වටයේදී ශ්‍රී ලංකාව උස්බෙකිස්තානය, තායිලන්තය සහ මාලදිවයින සමඟ C කාණ්ඩයට වැටෙන අතර එය 2022 ජුනි 6 වන දින උස්බෙකිස්තානයේදී ආරම්භ විය.
සත්කාරක උස්බෙකිස්තානය සමස්ත තරගයේ ආධිපත්‍යය දැරූ අතර ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට එරෙහිව පහසුවෙන් ගෝල තුනක් ලබා ගනිමින් තරගය ජය ගැනීමට සමත් විය.
කාණ්ඩයේ දෙවැනි තරගය තායිලන්තයට එරෙහිව පැවැති අතර පෙර තරගයට සාපේක්ෂව ශ්‍රී ලංකාව හොඳ දස්කම් දැක්වූ නමුත් අවාසනාවන්ත ලෙස තායිලන්තය ගෝල 2ක් ලබා තරගය ජය ගත්තේය.
කාණ්ඩයේ තෙවැනි තරගය මාලදිවයිනට එරෙහිව පැවැති අතර පෙර තරග දෙකට සාපේක්ෂව ශ්‍රී ලංකාව සමබර දස්කම් දැක්වූ නමුත් අවාසනාවන්ත ලෙස මාලදිවයින ගෝලයක් වාර්තා කර තරගය ජය ගත්තේය.
සාරාංශයක් ලෙස ශ්‍රී ලංකාව මෙම තරගමාලාවේ ද තරගයක්වත් ජය ගත්තේ නැත.
AFC ஆசியக் கிண்ணத் தகுதி இறுதிச் சுற்று இலங்கைக்கு வெற்றியின்றி நிறைவு!
2019 ஆம் ஆண்டு தொடக்கம் 2 சுற்றுகள் மூலம் இலங்கை அணி AFC ஆசியக் கிண்ண 2023 இறுதிச் சுற்றுத் தகுதிப் போட்டிக்கு தகுதி பெறுவது இதுவே முதல் தடவையாகும்.
முதல் சுற்று டிராவில், இலங்கை மே மற்றும் ஜூன் 2019 இல் சுற்றுப்பயணத்தின் முதல் போட்டியில் மக்காவை எதிர்கொண்டது. இந்த போட்டி மே 2019 இல் துடங்கி இரண்டு லீக்குகளில் விளையாட திட்டமிடப்பட்டது, அத்துடன் FIFA உலகக் கோப்பை 2022 மற்றும் AFC ஆசிய கோப்பை 2023 ஆரம்ப சுற்று தகுதிச் சுற்றுக்கான முதல் போட்டியாக நடந்தது.
Macau vs Sri Lanka முதல் லெக்கை 1-0 என்ற கணக்கில் இலங்கைக்கு இழக்க நேரிட்டது, இரண்டாவது லெக் ஜூன் 2019 இல் விளையாடப்பட இருந்தாலும் வீரர்களின் பாதுகாப்புக் காரணமாக Macue இலங்கை தாயகத்தில் விளையாட மறுத்தது. அதற்கமைய மக்காவுக்கு எதிரான ஆட்டத்தில் இலங்கை அணிக்கு 3-0 என்ற கோல் கணக்கில் வெற்றி அளிக்கப்பட்டது. ஒட்டுமொத்தமாக, இலங்கை 3 – 1 என்ற கோல் அடிப்படையில் 2022 FIFA உலகக் கோப்பை மற்றும் 2023 AFC ஆசிய கோப்பையின் இரண்டாவது சுற்றுக்கு முன்னேறியது.
மிகவும் கடினமான குழுவாக இருந்ததால் இந்த சுற்று இலங்கைக்கு மிகவும் போட்டியாக இருந்தது.
South Korea –29th position in the FIFA ranking
DPR Korea – 109th position in the FIFA ranking
Lebanon – 97th position in the FIFA ranking
Turkmenistan – 134th position in the FIFA ranking
Where Sri Lanka was 206th in the FIFA Ranking.
இலங்கை பின்வரும் போட்டிகளை சொந்த மண்ணில் விளையாடியது ஆனால் துரதிஷ்டவசமாக மூன்று போட்டிகளிலும் இலங்கை எந்த ஒரு கோலும் அடிக்கவில்லை. Sri Lanka vs Turkmenistan – 0 – 2
Sri Lanka vs Lebanon – 0 – 3
Sri Lanka vs DPR Korea – 0 – 1 (This was cancelled due to the withdrawal of DPR Korea)
தென் கொரியாவுக்கு எதிராக சியோலில் இலங்கை அணி மற்றுமொரு போட்டியில் விளையாடியதுடன் தென் கொரியா 8 கோல்களை அடித்ததுடன் துரதிஷ்டவசமாக இலங்கை கோல் எதுவும் அடிக்கவில்லை.
கோவிட் 19 பரவல் காரணமாக மிகுதி அணைத்து போட்டிகளும் தென் கொரியாவின் மைய இடத்தில் ஜூன் 2021 க்கு வரையில் ஒத்திவைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. இதற்கிடையில் உள்நாட்டு பிரச்சனைகள் காரணமாக போட்டியில் இருந்து விலக முடிவு செய்துள்ளதாக DPR கொரியா தெரிவித்துள்ளது.
இதற்கிடையில், இலங்கை கால்பந்து சம்மேளனம் அணியின் மோசமான பெறுபேறுகள் காரணமாக பயிற்சியாள ஊழியர்களை நீக்கி, அணியை வலுவாக்க UEFA Pro பயிற்சி உரிமத்துடன் சர்வதேச பயிற்சியாளரை கொண்டு வர முடிவு செய்தது.
பாஸ்டனைச் சேர்ந்த திரு. அமீர் அலஜிக் தலைமைப் பயிற்சியாளராக நியமிக்கப்பட்டார், மேலும் அவர் இரண்டாவது சுற்றில் எதிர்காலப் போட்டிகளுக்கு அணியைத் தயார்படுத்த சில அடிப்படைப் பணிகளைச் செய்தார். அவரது நியமனத்திற்குப் பிறகு, இலங்கை இரண்டு போட்டிகளில் விளையாடியது மற்றும் அவரது முதல் போட்டி தென் கொரியாவில் லெபனானுக்கு எதிராக நடந்தது. போட்டியின் முதல் கோலை அடித்த வாசிம் ராசிக் இலங்கைக்கு மிகவும் சாதகமான ஆரம்பத்தை பெற்றுக் கொடுத்ததோடு போட்டி 3-2 என தோல்வியில் முடிந்தது.
தென் கொரியாவுக்கு எதிரான இரண்டாவது போட்டியில், துரதிர்ஷ்டவசமாக, இலங்கை 5 கோல்களை விட்டுக் கொடுத்தது, ஆனால் முதல் சுற்றில் அந்த எதிரணிக்கு இலங்கை 8 கோல்களை விட்டுக் கொடுத்ததால் அது நன்கு விளையாடிய போட்டியாக இருந்தது.
DPR கொரியா இல்லாததால், இலங்கைக்கு 4வது இடத்தைப் பெறும் வாய்ப்பு கிடைத்தது மற்றும் AFC ஆசிய கோப்பை 2023 தகுதிகாண் இறுதி சுற்றுக்கு தகுதி பெற்றது.
ஜூன் 6, 2022 அன்று உஸ்பெகிஸ்தானில் ஆரம்பமான AFC ஆசியக் கோப்பை 2023 தகுதிச் சுற்றுப் போட்டியின் போட்டியின் C பிரிவில் உஸ்பெகிஸ்தான், தாய்லாந்து மற்றும் மாலத்தீவுகளை இலங்கை எதிர்கொள்கிறது.
போட்டியை நடத்தும் உஸ்பெகிஸ்தான் அணி முழுப் போட்டியிலும் ஆதிக்கம் செலுத்தி இலங்கைக்கு எதிரான 3 – 0 கோல்கள் வித்தியாசத்தில் எளிதாக வெற்றி பெற்றது.
குழுவின் இரண்டாவது போட்டி தாய்லாந்துக்கு எதிராக நடைபெற்றது மற்றும் இலங்கை முந்தைய போட்டியுடன் ஒப்பிடுகையில் சிறப்பாக விளையாடியது, ஆனால் துரதிர்ஷ்டவசமாக தாய்லாந்து 2 -0 கோல்களால் வெற்றி பெற்றது.
குழுவின் மூன்றாவது போட்டி மாலைதீவுக்கு எதிராக நடைபெற்றது. மாலைதீவு 1 – 0 என்ற கோல் அடிப்படையில் போட்டியை வென்றது.
இந்தத் தொடரில் இலங்கை ஒரு போட்டியில் கூட வெற்றி பெறவில்லை.
The Sri Lanka national hockey teams delivered determined performances at the Asian Hockey Federation Cup 2025, held in Jakarta, Indonesia under the auspices of the Asian Hockey Federation. While the men’s team finished in 7th place, the women’s team showed notable improvement by securing 5th place, one step ahead of their 2016 finish.
Men’s Team Recap – A Tough Battle
The Sri Lankan men’s team, placed in Group ‘B’ during the preliminary round, managed only one win – a 2-1 victory against host Indonesia. They held Thailand to a 1-1 draw but suffered defeats against Bangladesh (5-0) and Kazakhstan (3-2), finishing 4th in the group.
In the classification round for 5th–8th place, Sri Lanka lost a tight match against Hong Kong (5-4). However, they bounced back in the playoff for 7th place, defeating Thailand 6-4 in an entertaining and high-scoring encounter. Despite their efforts, Sri Lanka could not replicate the success of the previous edition, where they secured a bronze medal.
Women’s Team Recap – A Step Forward
The women’s tournament followed a league format with six teams. Sri Lanka finished with two draws – 2-2 against Indonesia and 2-2 against Uzbekistan – while enduring three losses to Chinese Taipei (5-1), Singapore (5-2), and Hong Kong (5-0).
In the 5th place playoff, Sri Lanka faced Uzbekistan once again. With the game ending 3-3 in regulation time, the outcome was decided via an 8-second penalty shootout, where Sri Lanka emerged victorious 3-1. This result marks an improvement from their 6th-place finish in 2016.
Rising Star Recognized
A standout performer in the women’s team was forward Nipuni Ishara Fernando, who was recognized as a promising young talent in the tournament. Her attacking prowess and energy on the field highlighted Sri Lanka’s potential for future regional success.
Sri Lankan Sports TV extends its congratulations to both national teams for their commitment and performance on the international stage, and looks forward to their continued progress in upcoming competitions.
Sri Lanka Women produced a composed and clinical batting display to chase down South Africa Women’s total of 235 in a strong all-round performance, continuing their rise in international women’s cricket.
Chasing 236 for victory, Sri Lanka began confidently during the powerplay, putting on 47 runs for the loss of just one wicket in the first 10 overs. The opening platform set the tone for a steady and calculated innings, anchored by key partnerships and individual brilliance.
The second-wicket stand between Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama (Perera) added 50 runs in just 54 balls, giving the visitors momentum. By the 14th over, Sri Lanka Women were comfortably placed at 77/1.
The middle order shone as Harshitha Madavi and Kavisha Dilhari took control, both registering half-centuries in a pivotal 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Madavi reached her fifty in 65 balls, while Dilhari followed shortly with a fluent 61-ball half-century that included five boundaries and a six.
By the 41st over, Sri Lanka had crossed the 200-run mark with seven wickets in hand, cruising toward victory. The pair’s calm approach under pressure ensured that South Africa never regained control of the match.
Earlier in the day, South Africa posted 235/9 in their 50 overs, thanks largely to a resilient knock of 61 from Annerie Dercksen and a solid middle-order partnership with Chloe Tryon. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers maintained discipline throughout, especially during the death overs, to restrict the hosts to a chaseable total.
This win not only highlights Sri Lanka’s growing depth and maturity in women’s cricket but also sends a strong signal ahead of future ICC tournaments. With batters like Madavi and Dilhari leading the charge and a disciplined bowling unit to back them, Sri Lanka Women continue to impress on the global stage.
Score Summary:
• South Africa Women: 235/9 (50 overs) – Annerie Dercksen 61, Chloe Tryon 34
• Sri Lanka Women: 236/3 (approx. 41 overs) – Harshitha Madavi 50*, Kavisha Dilhari 50*
Veteran fullback Nigel Ratwatte has made a stunning return to the national rugby scene, not just as a player—but as the captain of a bold new Sri Lankan side that’s already begun to make headlines.
After months of speculation surrounding his future, Ratwatte has clarified that he never retired from representing Sri Lanka. “I only stepped away from club rugby. Representing the country was always a priority,” he said, addressing the rumours with calm conviction. P
There may have been some misunderstanding, but when I got the call, I was ready.”
His comeback couldn’t have been more impactful. In his first match as captain, Ratwatte led a youthful Sri Lankan team to an impressive win over Malaysia—showcasing sharp attacking play, discipline, and a renewed sense of purpose on the field.
It was a proud moment, especially captaining Sri Lanka for the first time,” Ratwatte reflected. “We had a very young squad, but they turned up well-prepared and executed our game plan with real intent
At 35, Ratwatte brings a wealth of experience to a side that is clearly in transition.
We have fewer seasoned players, so those of us with experience must step up. It’s about leading by example and helping the younger players shape their future in rugby
Now, Sri Lanka faces an exciting new challenge—the much-anticipated two-match series against New Zealand’s Under-85kg team. This unique tour will feature matches on May 4th at Nittawela Grounds and May 10th under lights at the Race Course Grounds in Colombo.
“This is a historic moment for us,” Ratwatte explained. “
To have any version of the All Blacks play in Sri Lanka is incredible. Even in the U85kg category, the professionalism, fitness, and structure they bring is something our players can learn immensely from.”
Ratwatte praised the concept of weight-restricted rugby, calling it an ideal benchmark for developing nations like Sri Lanka.
It offers a level playing field and gives us a better sense of where we stand globally. It’s great exposure.”
As for expectations from the series?
They’re still the All Blacks, so it will be a challenge. But we’re ready to give it everything,” Ratwatte stated, acknowledging the significance of the opportunity.
Looking ahead, Sri Lanka has its sights set on the Asia Rugby Championship. The team will face the UAE, South Korea, and powerhouses Hong Kong. A 40-man training squad has been assembled, which will be narrowed down to 30 ahead of the tournament.
Playing UAE and Korea at home is a big boost. Our fans bring an energy that pushes us forward,” Ratwatte added, emphasizing the power of home support.
With his experience, leadership, and renewed commitment to national duty, Ratwatte’s return signals a pivotal moment for Sri Lankan rugby—one filled with potential, purpose, and pride.
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