Dialog celebrate 21 years of Roy-Tho at 147th Battle of the Blues
View(s):S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia will once again take on their arch-rivals Royal College, Colombo in the 147th Battle of the Blues, scheduled to be held on March 12, 13 and 14 at the country’s premier Test cricket venue, the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo. Etched 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.
The Battle of the Blues is not just a cricket match, but an institution in 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 island. Adding to the grandeur, the much-anticipated Mustangs Trophy one-day encounter will take centre stage on March 28 under lights at the newly floodlit SSC ground.
The title sponsorship cheque was presented by Navin Pieris (Group Chief Officer, Dialog Enterprise, Dialog Axiata PLC) (fourth right) and Harsha Samaranayake (Vice President, Group Marketing, Dialog Axiata PLC) (fourth left) and formally received by Asanka Perera (Warden, S. Thomas’ College) (centre left) and Athula Wijewardana (Principal, Royal College) (centre right), marking the 21st Year partnership for the upcoming Royal-Thomian encounter with Dialog Axiata PLC. Others in the picture are (from left) Kieran Lawrence (Head Prefect, S. Thomas’), Avinash Fernando (Captain, S. Thomas’), Sajith Kularatne (Co-Chairman, Royal-Thomian Match Organising Committee), Ramesh Abeywickrama (Co-Chairman, Royal-Thomian Joint Match Organising Committee), Rehan Peiris (Captain, Royal) and Sahan Agalawatte (Head Prefect, Royal)
Royalists and Thomians, both past and present, clad in their iconic blue, gold and black, will once again gather to celebrate their schools’ proud heritage. The pavilions will roar, flags will wave, and songs of tradition will echo across the SSC as schoolboys, old boys, and cricket enthusiasts from around the world unite in the true spirit of the game.
This prestigious encounter—widely regarded as Sri Lanka’s very own ‘Big Match’—has witnessed some of the finest young cricketers take centre stage before rising to national and international acclaim. As part of the Dialog Big Match Season, this historic clash continues to embody tradition, passion, and sporting excellence, bringing together generations in celebration of one of the nation’s most cherished sporting rivalries.
Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider and a prolific promoter of sports in Sri Lanka, is a steadfast patron of the country’s school cricket. With an enduring commitment to powering young talent and fostering the next generation of cricketing greats, the company’s partnership ensures that the legacy of the Battle of the Blues remains stronger than ever. Their continued support is not merely a sponsorship, but an investment in Sri Lanka’s sporting future.
“It is that time of the year when the schools come to a standstill and all eyes are directed to the middle of the field watching eagerly and anxiously, 11 men in white play for the covetous Rite Honourable D.S. Senanayake Shield. As the 147th episode of the second longest intercollegiate encounter enfolds, we wish the two teams all the very best as they become part of this unbroken tradition. May this encounter be the everlasting tradition that connects S. Thomas’ College and Royal College. I place on record my thanks and the thanks of the college, the Joint Organising Committee and to all our sponsors for coming on board this year,” stated Asanka Perera, the Warden of S. Thomas’.
Following the 146th Battle of the Blues in March 2025, the all-time tally between Royal and S. Thomas’ stands at 36 wins each for both teams, and 74 draws. The 2025 match saw S. Thomas’ College win by 5 wickets, bringing their total to 36 and matching Royal’s long-held lead. Leading the Thomians this time is Avinash Fernando, who carries the responsibility of defending the D.S. Senanayake Shield they won last year, while Royal, under Rehan Peiris, will look to reclaim the Shield and take it back to Reid Avenue.
“As we prepare to witness yet another Roy-Tho, we celebrate 147 years of unbroken continuity—an achievement sustained through challenges and change. In recent years, the event has evolved, embracing digitisation, standardisation, sustainability, and CSR, with Dialog proudly serving as main sponsor on 21 occasions alongside many others. This is more than a match—it is a tradition that shapes personalities and carries forward a timeless legacy,” stated Cochairman, Ramesh Abeywickrama.
“At the doorstep of the greatest sporting event of the year, we celebrate a world heritage carried forward by 22 boys and countless stakeholders for 146 unbroken years. As Royalists and Thomians, we take pride in this enduring tradition. We wish both teams and all who uphold this legacy an enjoyable and memorable match,” said Athula Wijewardena, the Principal of Royal College.
“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, we aim to contribute to the development of the next generation of cricketers while preserving the rich traditions of Sri Lankan school cricket. As we power this historic rivalry once again, we remain dedicated to powering the champions of tomorrow,” commenting on the occasion, Navin Peiris, the Group Chief Officer of Dialog Enterprise, said.
Tickets for the 147th Battle of the Blues and the 49th Mustangs Trophy will be available for purchase at the Royal College Union and the STC-OBA Secretariat. Given the massive following and the electrifying atmosphere that this legendary encounter promises, early booking is highly recommended to secure a seat at Sri Lanka’s grandest school cricketing festival. The encounters will be shown live on ThePapare TV via Dialog Television Channel 126, and streamed live on Dialog Play Mobile App and ThePapare.com.