News

Overseas Football Players who are eligible to Represent Sri Lanka

Published

5 years ago

November 26, 2020

Editor

There are currently numerous players with strong Sri Lankan roots who play football in Overseas Leagues. Football Sri Lanka has kept a close eye on all these players, tracking their progress and skill levels to see which players can bring a positive impact to the Sri Lankan National Team

The following five players have already applied for dual citizenship and started the necessary processes of making it into the National squad, while the rest are yet to start any such procedures;

Players who are already applied for the Dual Citizenship to represent the National Team

Hamilton O Mervyn

Age : 32 yrs. (DOB: 8 Oct 1988)

Height : 6’

Citizenship : British

Position : Midfield

Current club : Whitehawk FC

League : Whitehawk FC is a Semi Professional, non-league English football club based in Whitehawk, a suburb of the city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. Whitehawk FC play in the Isthmian South East Division (English non-league step 4 – Level 8)

Category : Sri Lankan Mother

2. Reef Sebastian Peries

Age : 19 yrs (DOB: 30 Oct. 2001)

Height : 5’ 11”

Citizenship : British

Position : Right Wing Back

Current club : Woking FC (Academy Team)

League : Woking Football Club is a semi-professional association football club, based in Woking, Surrey, England. Founded in 1889, the club plays its home matches at Kingfield Stadium and is nicknamed the Cardinals. Currently, they compete in the National League, the fifth tier of English football.

Category : Sri Lankan Grandparent

3. Ryan Anthony Peries

Age :18 yrs (DOB: 20 Jul 2002)

Height : 6’ 2”

Citizenship : British

Position : Midfield

Current club : Bournemouth University FC

Category : Sri Lankan Grandparent

4. Haneef Mohamed Haseef Mohamed

Age : 27 yrs (DOB: 23 Aug 1993)

Height : 5’ 6”

Citizenship : Switzerland

Position : Left / Right Winger, Attacking Midfielder

Current club : FC Engstringen

League : FC Engstringen plays in the Football Association of the Zurich Region FVRZ 3rd League of Swiss Football Association.

Category : Sri Lankan Father & Mother

5. Vigneswaran Dagsan

Age : 16 yrs (DOB: 02 May 2004)

Height : 6’

Citizenship : Switzerland

Position : Center Back / Midfielder

Current club : Lausanne Sport

League : FC Engstringen plays in the Football Association of the Zurich Region FVRZ 3rd League of Swiss Football Association.

Category : Sri Lankan Father & Mother

Players who are eligible to apply for the Dual Citizenship to represent the National Team

Claudio Matthias

Age : 21 yrs (DOB: 7 July 1999)

Height : 6’ 1”

Citizenship : Deutsch (German)

Position : Center Back, Left Back, Right Back

Current club : SC Freiburg

League : Sport-Club Freiburg e.V., commonly known as SC Freiburg, is a German football club, based in the city of Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg. It plays in the Bundesliga. SC Freiburg II is the reserve team of German association football club SC Freiburg plays in the Regionalliga Südwest (English: Regional League Southwest) is the fourth tier of the German football league system in the states of Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland. It is one of five leagues at this level, together with the Regionalliga Bayern, Regionalliga Nordost, Regionalliga Nord, and the Regionalliga West.

Category : Sri Lankan Mother

2. Canistan Regize

Age : 23 yrs (DOB: 25 Mar 1997)

Height : 5’ 7”

Citizenship : French

Position : Midfielder

Current club : FC Montceau, Boergogne

League : Football Club Montceau Bourgogne is a French association football team founded in 1948. They are based in Montceau-les-Mines, Bourgogne, France and are currently playing in the Championnat National 3. The league serves as the fifth division of the French Football League.

Category : Sri Lankan Father & Mother

3. Kelly Garrett Christopher

Age : 24 yrs (DOB: 13 Apr 1996)

Height : 6’ 1”

Citizenship : British

Position : Central Midfield

Current club : Almyros Gaziou FC (Greece)

League : Almyros Gaziou FC plays in the Gamma Ethniki the fourth highest football league in Greece.

Category : Sri Lankan Mother

4. Manimeldura Leon Perera

Age : 23 yrs (DOB: 1 Jan 1997)

Height : 5’ 8”

Citizenship : Deutsch (German)

Position : Central Midfield

Current club : MTV Treubund Lüneburg

League : MTV Treubund Lüneburg competes in the Landesliga Lüneburg, called the Bezirksoberliga Lüneburg from 1979 to 1994 and 2006 to 2010, is the sixth tier of the German football league system and the second-highest league in the German state of Lower Saxony.

Category : Sri Lankan Father

5. Tiffan Anthonypillai

Age : 18 yrs. (DOB: 21 Sep 2002)

Height : 5’ 7”

Citizenship : Canadian

Position : Right Back

Current club : Cs Saint-Laurent, Montréal,Canada

Category : Sri Lankan Mother

6. Chikereuba Tochokwu Francis

Age : 27 yrs (DOB: 24 Apr 1993)

Height : 6’ 3”

Citizenship : Nigerian

Position : Central Defender

Current club : Java Lane SC, Colombo

League : Champions League – Sri Lanka

Category : Sri Lankan Spouse & Children

7. Poopathithasan Nilooshan

Age : 19 yrs (DOB: 19 Jul 2001)

Height : TBC

Citizenship : Deutsch (German)

Position : TBC

Current club : TBC

Category : Sri Lankan Mother

Furthermore, Waseem Razeek and his brother Muzakir Razeek already eligible to represent the country.

Cricket

Run for Hope Kandy 2026

Published

11 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Editor

Run for Hope Kandy 2026, organized by the Voice Foundation, was successfully held on March 29th in the heart of Kandy city, marking a powerful moment of unity, purpose, and impact. This landmark event brought together a vibrant community of 408 runners, including both local participants and international supporters, all driven by a shared mission—to uplift and empower single mothers in Sri Lanka.

Set against the scenic and historic backdrop of Kandy, the run was more than just a sporting event; it was a movement of compassion and hope. Participants took part in various race categories, demonstrating not only physical endurance but also a deep commitment to social change. From early morning, the city came alive with energy, determination, and a spirit of togetherness as runners, volunteers, and supporters gathered in large numbers.

The primary purpose of Run for Hope Kandy was to raise awareness and support for the Single Moms Empowerment Center, an initiative dedicated to equipping single mothers with skills, resources, and opportunities for a better future. Through this event, the Voice Foundation continues its mission of transforming lives and strengthening vulnerable communities across the nation.

The success of the event was made possible through the dedication of volunteers, the generosity of sponsors, and the enthusiasm of every participant who showed up for the cause. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision.

Run for Hope Kandy 2026 is not just remembered as a race, but as a meaningful step toward lasting change—proving that every mile run can bring hope, dignity, and a brighter tomorrow to those in need.

We will meet Again in Negombo

News

Ajith De Silva Elected MHA President at 70th AGM

Published

19 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Editor

The Mercantile Hockey Association successfully held its 70th Annual General Meeting on March 28, 2026, at the Burgher Recreation Club.

Veteran sportsman Dennis de Rosayro presided over the meeting, where Ajith De Silva of Brown & Company PLC was elected as President for the 2026–2027 term.

He succeeds outgoing President Vengadasalam Balagobi of Deloitte Sri Lanka, who completed three successful terms.

🔹 Office Bearers – 2026/2027

Patron:
Rohitha Silva (IDAC Pvt Ltd)

Vice Patrons:
Deva Ellepola, Ramesh Schaffter, Tharaka Ranwala, Manjula Wijemanne, Iqram Cuttilan, Kumar De Silva, Juragen Majid, Vengadasalam Balagobi

Trustee:
Deva Ellepola

President:
Ajith De Silva (Brown & Company PLC)

Vice Presidents:
Sumith Jayasena, Chandana Weragama, Sadique M. Hanas, Charitha Senanayake

Honorary Secretary:
Yogendren Suganthan

Assistant Secretary:
Vishwa Prabhath

Honorary Treasurer:
Sameera Ushantha

Assistant Treasurer:
Deepika Kariyawasam

🔹 Executive Committee

M.J.M. Irshad, Thilina Perera, G. Jayaprakash, Priyan Senevirathna, Laknath Guruge, Inthiqhab Majid, Roger Vijayakumar, Janitha Jayawardana, Gihan Peiris, Marlon De Alwis

Cricket

Tragedy Halts 66th Battle of the Babes in Kandy

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

Editor

The 66th edition of the “Battle of the Babes” big match between St. Sylvester’s College and Vidyartha College was abruptly called off on Wednesday after a tragic road accident claimed the lives of two St. Sylvester’s students.

The incident occurred as the students were on their way to witness the much-anticipated encounter at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. According to police, the motorcycle they were travelling on collided head-on with a bus.

One of the victims, Sachith Karunaratne, died at the scene. The other student, Nethula Nimdinu, was rushed to the Kandy National Hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
The shocking news cast a shadow over the annual fixture, prompting authorities to take swift action. Central Province Governor Sarath Abeykoon reportedly suggested halting the match, after which the principals of both schools jointly agreed to call off the game midway.