Dialog powers 146th Battle of the Blues
The grandest spectacle in Sri Lankan school cricket returns once again as S. Thomas’ College face their arch-rivals Royal College in the 146th Battle of the Blues encounter on March 6, 7, and 8 at the hallowed Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) grounds in Colombo.
Reverberating with rich traditions, passion, and unparalleled history, this legendary encounter stands as the second-longest uninterrupted school cricket series in the world, a testament to the unwavering camaraderie and sporting spirit between two of Colombo’s leading educational institutions. Adding to the grandeur, the much anticipated Mustangs Trophy one-day encounter will take centre-stage on March 15 at the same venue. The Battle of the Blues is not just a cricket encounter, but an institution itself – a story of competition and brotherhood that has endured for nearly 150 years, contributing immensely to the game of cricket – the heartbeat of the islanders.
(From left): Kavindu Dias (Captain, S. Thomas’ College), Ramesh Abeywickrama (Co-Chairman, Royal-Thomian Joint Match Organising Committee - Royal College), L.W. Krishantha Perera (Principal, Royal College), Harsha Samaranayake (Vice President - Brand and Media, Dialog Axiata PLC), Navin Peiris (Group Chief Officer - Dialog Enterprise), Asanka Perera (Acting Warden, S. Thomas’ College), Arjuna Waidyasekera (Co-Chairman, Royal Thomian Joint Match Organising Committee - S. Thomas’ College) and Ramiru Perera (Captain, Royal College) at the sponsorship presentation ceremony
“The Battle of the Blues is more than just a cricket match; it is a legacy that unites generations of Royalists and Thomians in an enduring spirit of camaraderie, sportsmanship, and tradition. This historic encounter continues to serve as a platform for young cricketers to hone their skills and embody the values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance that define our schools. We deeply appreciate Dialog Axiata’s unwavering support in elevating this prestigious event and ensuring that its legacy remains strong for years to come,” Royal College and S. Thomas’ College said in a joint statement.
“At Dialog, we are incredibly proud to continue our longstanding partnership with the Battle of the Blues, one of the most iconic events in Sri Lanka’s school cricketing calendar. Our commitment to supporting school cricket stems from our belief in nurturing young talent and fostering a passion for the game that lasts a lifetime. Through initiatives like the Battle of the Blues and the Mustangs Trophy, we aim to contribute to the development of the next generation of cricketers while preserving the rich traditions of school cricket,” Navin Peiris, Group Chief Officer of Dialog Enterprise, said.
The 146th Battle of the Blues will be telecast live on ThePapare TV – Channel Number 126, on Dialog Television, and streamed live via ThePapare.com and the Dialog ViU app.