Rahula College Matara Vs. Dharmapala College Pannipitiya:

Inaugural Ruhunu Maya Encounter starts today

Priyan DE SILVA Matara Sports Corr

The inaugural big match between two leading Buddhist educational institutions in Sri Lanka Rahula College Matara and Dharmapala College Pannipitiya will be held today and tomorrow at the Uyanwatta Stadium in Matara. Rahula College will host this year's encounter.

Dharmapala College Team Front row from left: Sujith Liyanage (MIC) Yasith Lakshitha (captain), K G Wimalasena (Principal) Malith Madushan (vice captain), Asela Mapatuna (PoG), Susila Gunawardena (coach). Back row from left: Pasindu Keshan, Kushan Jayalath, Tharindu Dhanushka, Asanka Sameera, Harsha Gallage, Ashan Jayasanka, Vimukthi Radella, Sajeewa Denuwan, Dumindu Dushyantha, Prashan Rathnayaka, Sahan Chamikara, Bharatha Handamunige, Himasha Liyanage, Supun Chathura. (Picture by Priyan de Silva

Rahula College Team Front row from left: Sukitha Dinusanka, Vihanga Kalhara (captain) Piyasena Gamage (MIC), Nihal Abeywickrema Deputy Principal, Nimal Dissanayaka (Principal), Percy Ranaraja (PoG), Rohana Ariyathilaka (coach), Nadun Tharanga (vice captain), Shehan Kahandugoda. Back row from left: Nimesh Dilantha, Tharindu Narasingha, Vijitha Sanjula, Sameera Chaturanga, Harsha Rajapaksa, Harindu Jayasingha, Piushan Kulathunga, Mayura Galappaththi, Lasindu Nimsara, Kalana Hasanga, Rukshan Perera.

All rounder Vihanga Kalhara leads the strong Rahula contingent at this inaugural encounter. Nadun Tharanga is his deputy. The Rahula team has the services of all rounders Piushan Kulathunga, Harsha Rajapaksa, Mayura Galappaththi, Sameera Chathuranga and Left Arm Leg Spinner Lasindu Nimsara all of whom are members of the National under 19 pool.

Playing in division two of the all island cricket tournament conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association Rahula College won 1st innings points against St Anthony's College Wattala and St Sebastian's Katuneriya. The match against Jayawardenapura MV was drawn. First innings losses were conceded to Ibbagamuwa MV, Karandeniya MV and Dharmaloka College Kelaniya. Rahula lost outright to St Mary's Negombo.

In the friendly encounters, Rahula drew their matches with Maliyadeva College, Dharmasoka College, Richmond College, Mahinda College, St Thomas’ College Matara and St Servatius College. Out right losses were registered against Dharmaraja College and Sri Devananda College.

Yasith Lakshitha leads the Dharmapala team to this first big match against Rahula. Malith Madushan is his deputy. Right Hand opener Ashan Jayasanka who has scored 910 runs this season strengthens the Dharmapala batting. He may reach his 1000 runs in this game. Left Arm off spinner Imasha Liyanage with a best performance of 6/42 against Mahanama would be a threat to the Rahula batsmen as Uyanwatta is a spinner friendly cricket.

Dharmapala College play in division one of the schools tournament. The match against Joseph Vaz College Wennappuwa was a draw 1st innings losses were registered against Mahanama, Prince of Wales Moratuwa, Royal College, Colombo and St Anthony's College Kandy. They lost outright to Thurstan College, St Peter's College and Wesley College.

The friendly games, Dharmapala drew with S Thomas’ College Mt Lavinia and Isipatana College. They lost to Dharmaraja College, Dharmasoka College, Zahira College, Maliyadeva College, Mahinda College and Ananda College.

It should be mentioned that Rahula College emerged winners of the last Olcott Memorial Schools Tournament while Dharmapala were runners up.