Nippon Paint Rugby League 2022/23 launched

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) will conduct the much awaited Nippon Rugby League 2022/23 which is the premier domestic rugby tournament in Sri Lanka with the launching ceremony being held at the Taj Samudra on Thursday amidst the presence of the officials of SLR and sponsors Nippon Paint Lanka.

Also present were the eight captains of the participating teams defending champions Kandy SC, CR&FC, Army SC, Police SC, Air Force SC, CH&FC, Navy SC and Havelock SC.

Rizly Illyas, President of SLR briefing the media said, “SLR and Nippon Paint Lanka has a history of around 140 years and they have both faced and overcome challenges to prove their strength and durability to take rugby sport to greater heights.“

Speaking further the SLR president emphasized that Nippon Paint

Lanka has been involved with rugby sports in Sri Lanka with dedication “We are thankful for them having supported SLR in their participation in two international rugby events with the recent being the sponsorship of the national team in their participation in international rugby events held in South Korea and Dubai.

In conclusion he added, “We are drawing up plans and looking forward to conduct two tournaments the Women’s and U-19 Boy’s Provincial with discussion in the process and most

of the tournaments scheduled to be held will be with the aim of making ourselves present in two international tournaments the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China and South Asian Games in Lahore, Pakistan.“

“We are happy to be involved with sponsorship of the 2022/23 rugby league tournament and it’s not only the support for rugby but it’s also for the improvement of the game in Sri Lanka that we have come forward. In fact want to support all sports in

Sri Lanka.“we are sponsors, but the hard work to make the tournament a success is being done by the SLR officials, the participating clubs and also all the players who are involved and I wish the tournament all success,’’ he concluded. “Nemantha Abeysinghe, General Manager Nippon Paint Lanka, said.

The tournament proper is scheduled to be kicked off on December 9 with the clash between Navy SC and Police SC slotted to be played at the Navy SC ground in Welisara.

The eight captains of the participating teams Damith Dissanayake (Kandy SC), Kavinda de Costa (CR&FC), Mahesh Weerasinghe (Army SC, Nisala Sathsara (Police SC), Prasad Madushan (CH&FC), Umesha Madushan (Havelock SC), Ishara Madushan (Air Force SC),

Stephan Gregory (Navy SC).