The KANDY TIMES

13/04/2026

Facing Jonah Lomu: "It Was Like a Scary Movie" 🏉

Dr. Duminda de Silva shares what it was really like to walk into the tunnel and see the legend Jonah Lomu. From the massive size of the All Blacks to the "human wrecking balls" of the 90s, this is the raw reality of Sri Lankan rugby on the world stage. 🇱🇰🔥

Full Interview: Watch the full "Voices of the Golden Era" episode on our channel now! https://youtu.be/JVl4EM8uoSI?si=-a_vc4kQ42mB73R9
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17/03/2026

The wait is over! 🚨 Inter-Club Sevens returns to Sri Lanka after 4 years. From international guest teams to a revolutionary 8-team provincial women's league—the road to the Asian Games starts NOW. 🇱🇰✨

Who are you rooting for? Drop your team below! 👇

17/03/2026

The 2025/26 season has been a whirlwind of high-stakes matches and record-breaking crowds, but what’s happening behind the scenes at Sri Lanka Rugby?

In this exclusive sit-down, SLR President Pavithra Fernando joins us to pull back the curtain on the triumphs and the trials of the recent Inter-Club League and Knockout tournaments. From the "flavor" added by foreign players to the serious governance reforms currently underway, we dive deep into the state of the game.

In this video:

The Blueprint for Success: How format changes and foreign talent brought fans back to the stands in record numbers.

The Referee Controversy: Addressing the "bias" rumors and the truth behind the forensic audit into the Referees Society.

Knowledge Sharing: How Asian Rugby officials are helping elevate the local standard through the Asian Elite Panel.

The Road to October: Why the upcoming SLR 7s Series (March 21-22 & 28-29) is the critical first step toward an Asian Games medal.

Pro Contracts: Big news for players as the administration moves toward professional contracting this April.

The game is changing. Whether you’re a die-hard Kandy SC supporter or a Colombo fan returning to the stands, this is a must-watch update on the future of our sport.

Support The Kandy Times ☕
If you value our deep dives into the world of Sri Lankan rugby and want to help us keep bringing you exclusive interviews from the "man behind the scenes" to the heroes on the field, consider supporting our work!

Every "coffee" helps us cover travel to venues like Nittawela and Longden Place, maintain our production gear, and continue documenting the heritage of the game we all love.

The 2025/26 season has been a whirlwind of high-stakes matches and record-breaking crowds, but what’s happening behind the scenes at Sri Lanka Rugby?In this ...

17/03/2026

Watch the full interview on YouTube to get the complete breakdown of these major updates for Sri Lankan rugby. In this exclusive session, Sri Lanka Rugby President Pavithra Fernando provides a comprehensive update on the transformation of the sport following a successful 2025/26 season. He addresses critical reforms aimed at transparency—including the ongoing forensic audit into the Referees Association—and details the strategic roadmap for national player contracts beginning this April. Highlighting the upcoming SLR Sevens Series in late March, Fernando outlines how these tournaments serve as the essential high-performance pathway for selecting the elite squad tasked with bringing home a medal from the 2026 Asian Games.

15/03/2026

In this landmark episode of The Voice of the Golden Era, we journey back into the archives of Sri Lankan rugby with the formidable Ravi Wijenathan. A man whose career bridged the gap between the fierce schoolboy rivalries of the 80s and the high-stakes world of international and club rugby.

Ravi opens up about his 10-year legacy at CH&FC, the tactical evolution of the game under the legendary Summa Navaratnam, and his transition into a powerhouse corporate leader as the General Manager at MAS Holdings. This is a story of how the discipline of the scrum built the foundation for a masterclass in corporate management and social reconstruction in the North.

In this episode, we uncover:
✅ A House Divided: Growing up with a Trinity father while bleeding Blue & Gold for Royal College.
✅ The Summa Navaratnam Academy: The "All Blacks" philosophy that defined an era of local rugby.
✅ The CH&FC Decade: Insights into the club's dominance and the historic clash against the New South Wales Waratahs.
✅ Corporate Strategy: How his experience as a MAS General Manager drove job creation and equal standing in the North.
✅ Selecting the Best: The pressure of 5 tenures on the national selection committee.

The Voice of the Golden Era is dedicated to preserving the 150-year heritage of the game by speaking directly to the legends who lived it.

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In this landmark episode of The Voice of the Golden Era, we journey back into the archives of Sri Lankan rugby with the formidable Ravi Wijenathan. A man who...

15/03/2026

7 Stars, 1 Unforgettable Season! 🏉🇱🇰🇫🇯🇼🇸🇹🇴

They came, they saw, and they conquered the hearts of rugby fans across Sri Lanka. In this Kandy Times Exclusive, we go behind the scenes with the 7 Pacific Islander stars who brought an explosive new energy to the 2025/2026 Club Rugby League.

From the hard-hitting tackles on the field to the deep brotherhood shared off it, these athletes from Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga have left an indelible mark on the local game.

In this video, you’ll see:

Exclusive Interviews: The players share their thoughts on Sri Lankan culture, the passion of the fans, and their favorite local teammates.

Cultural Connection: A special message from the players to their families and supporters back home in their native languages.

Rapid Fire Round: Get to know the personalities behind the power.

A Special Tribute: A powerful Pacific chant dedicated to the Sri Lankan rugby community.

Featured Players:
🔥 Meli Lapetoro (CH&FC)
🔥 Vunaki Wanganimbao (Havelocks SC)
🔥 Koli Tamaniokula (CH&FC)
🔥 Visesio Junior Amituanai (Havelocks SC)
🔥 Enesi (CR&FC)
🔥 Sauia (CR&FC)
🔥 Salesi Douglas Havea (KANDY SC)

These "Pacific Giants" didn't just play for their clubs; they played for the fans, for the community, and for the love of the game.

☕ Support The Kandy Times
If you enjoy our coverage of Sri Lankan rugby and want to help us keep producing high-quality documentaries, drone footage, and exclusive interviews, consider supporting our work!

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Your support helps us cover travel, production costs, and brings us one step closer to taking The Kandy Times across Asia!

Don't forget to:
✅ SUBSCRIBE to The Kandy Times for more exclusive rugby analysis and player features!
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💬 COMMENT BELOW: Who was your favorite player this season?

7 Stars, 1 Unforgettable Season! 🏉🇱🇰🇫🇯🇼🇸🇹🇴They came, they saw, and they conquered the hearts of rugby fans across Sri Lanka. In this Kandy Times Exc...

14/03/2026

06/03/2026

CHAMPION STATUS 🏆🇱🇰
​From the platform to the podium! Huge congratulations to Ransilu Jayathilake for securing the Gold at the Arnold Sports Festival. Seeing the Sri Lankan flag fly high on the world stage is pure inspiration.
​The hard work, the heavy sets, and the grit—it all paid off. A true legend in the making.
​ Champion StrengthTraining LankanPride

05/03/2026

https://youtu.be/lqMl-XScUr4

Voices of the Golden Era: Episode 04 | Featuring Raji de Sylva 🏉🏆This video, featuring the voice of Sri Lankan rugby legend Raji de Sylva, takes you on a j...

01/03/2026

watch full video

2025/2026 ලීග් අවසන් මහා තරගය සැබවින්ම අමතක නොවන තරගයක් විය! 🏉 Scrum and Sweep හි මෙම කථාංගයෙන්, රග්බි විශේෂඥ ලසිත විසින් මහනුවර ක....

28/02/2026

ඔටුනු පළන් ලීග් ශූරයෝ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w30eeSo1bFU

27/02/2026

Ana Saranapala’s Dream XV: Bridging the Generations

What happens when a legend of the 60s looks at the talent of today? In this exclusive clip from Voices of the Golden Era: Episode 03, Ana Saranapala breaks down who he would pick for his "Clean Slate" team.

From the icons he played alongside in the late 60s to modern stars like Akash Madushanka and Soorya Bandara, Ana's insights offer a masterclass in rugby analysis and a deep appreciation for the "complete player."

https://youtu.be/_f0MCl0OyME