04/03/2026
VISION 2036 SCHOOLS SPORTS AWARDS 2025
COLOMBO, BMICH | Catapulting school sports in Sri Lanka to the next level, SPORTSINFO, together with the Institute of Sports Management (IOSM), staged the 3rd VISION 2036 School Sports Awards 2025.
It is Sri Lanka’s first and only national school sports award ceremony, recognizing the outstanding performances of the best of the best athletes of all sports. The VISION 2036 School Sports Awards took place at the BMICH on the 25th of February 2026 at 3:00 p. m.
This brainchild of SPORTSINFO Chairman Thilan Rangana, backed by the former National Record holder and the Founder of SportUnleash and Power World Gyms Talavou Alailima, is the unique partnership that brought to life these Sports Awards, which is quickly becoming a prized event champion school athletes look forward to each year.
“Greats of the games aren’t created on the stroke of luck. Our talented athletes must be encouraged, supported, and nurtured. All performances and significant sports achievements will finally depend on the hard work invested by all stakeholders working together to raise Sports standards.
The importance of hosting such an important event emerged due to the need to motivate, value, and recognize upcoming school athletes and stakeholders to ensure the future success of Sri Lanka Sports.
We have seen only a few sports recognizing their best athletes for years. However, I believe that if Sri Lankan sports are to achieve their potential, we must honor the performances of all school sports, as they are the cradle of our future national sports performances. We will strive each year to make this event a special day for our future national champions so that they are encouraged and hold the course, driving themselves to achieve their very best for Sri Lanka.”
We should appreciate what we HAVE – Before it becomes what we HAD." Stated the National Sports Promoter, Mr. Thilan Rangana, Chairman of SPORTSINFO.
“If we plan to impact the world in sports, then we must identify the sports talent of our children at an early age and support them throughout their school sports journey. These winners were the best in 2023 and have proven their sports talent, resolve, determination, passion, and grit, tested by fire to be the best in their Sport. Undoubtedly, these athletes will bring honor to Sri Lanka in the next ten years.
Identifying the best athletes in our schools through the VISION 2036 Schools Sports Awards is the third step of “Vision 2036,” which also launched at the second schools award ceremony. In 2036, India is bidding for the Olympic Games, and as its neighbor, Sri Lanka must compete with honor and target to bring medals home at those games. “The Vision 2036 initiative brings together all sports stakeholders into a structure that becomes laser-focused and nurtures the champion athletes for the next 12 years. It is a structure not affected by the change of Government, Ministers, or officials of sports governing Federations. It is an independent, autonomous structure that will support and build Champion Athletes within a sustainable model while working with all stakeholders to see victory in 2036,” stated Talavou Alailima.
For 2025, the following athletes were awarded the Most Outstanding VISION 2036 School Athlete Award for their sports performances in 2024.
• Athletics (Track Events) - Ayomal Akalanka of Ambagamuwa Central College, Nawalapitiya.
• Athletics (Field Events) - H. A. N. M. Herath of Nannapurawa Maha Vidyalaya, Bibile.
• Cricket - Dinura Kalupahana of Mahinda College, Galle.
• Swimming - Manuja Gamage of Ananda College, Colombo 10.
• Volleyball - K. S. M. Induranga Rathnayake of Ruwanwella Rajasinghe Central College.
• Basketball - Charaka Perera of St. Joseph's College, Colombo 10.
• Table Tennis - Shafiullah Akram of Trinity College, Kandy.
• Rugby - Shahid Zumri of Isipathana College - Colombo 05.
• Netball - Bhashini Udagedara of Maliyadeva B.V. Kurunegala, Kurunegala.
• Boxing - Thenuwan Bandara of Royal College, Colombo 07.
• Tennis - Yuhansa Peiris of Bishop's College, Colombo.
• Badminton - Shenuk Samararatne of St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa.
• Golf - Jevahn Sathasivam of Asian International School – Colombo.
• Judo - Ashen Rathnayaka of Delta Gemunupura College, Pussellawa.
• Wrestling - Mohamed Ismail of St. Mary's College, Dehiwala.
• Squash - Chanithma Sinaly of Sirimavo Bandaranayake Vidyalaya, Colombo 07.
• Shooting - N. Rupalavanyan of S. Thomas' College - Mount Lavinia.
• Weighlifting - Abidh Jameel of Trinity College, Kandy.
• Archery - Thisal Dinsara of Ananda College, Colombo 10.
The distinguished Jury panel for the VISION 2036 School Sports Awards 2025 were Co-Chairs, Former Director General of Sports, Prof. Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando and Dr. Harsha B. Abeykoon, and its members were the Director Sports of Ministry of Education Upali Amarathunga, Ana Punchihewa, Gamini Jayasinghe, Dr. Seevali Jayawickrema, Chandana Ekanayake, Rtd. General Rohana Bandara and Brendon Kuruppu.
