The 95th edition of the prestigious “Battle of the Maroons,” the historic cricket encounter between the two top Buddhist schools in Colombo – Ananda College and Nalanda College – will take place on February 28, March 1, and 2, 2025, at the SSC Ground in Colombo.

This year’s event holds special significance as it marks the first-ever three-day match in the history of the Battle of the Maroons, continuing the legacy in honor of the late Dr. N.M. Perera and the iconic Battle of the Maroons trophy.

A media briefing was held on February 20, 2025, at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, graced by former Test cricketers Sidath Wettimuny and Roshan Mahanama, a member of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning team.Ananda College will be led by Ashinsa Nainayaka, who previously served as Vice-Captain in the 2023/24 season. He took 55 wickets across 12 matches, including four five-wicket hauls. Nalanda College’s captain, Sadev Samarasinghe, despite missing several matches due to injury, has accumulated 228 runs in six matches and surpassed 1200 runs during the previous 2023/24 season, becoming one of the fastest players to reach 1000 runs. Ananda College currently leads the historic “Battle of the Maroons” title record with 12 victories, while Nalanda College has won 7 times. Ananda claimed the prestigious Dr. N.M. Perera Memorial Challenge Trophy in 2003, while Nalanda emerged victorious in the 92nd edition held in 2022. The 94th edition in 2024 ended in a draw, making this year’s competition even more intense as both teams aim to claim the trophy.The organizing committee has made extensive arrangements to ensure an unforgettable experience for both spectators and participants. Lal Disanayake, Principal of Ananda College, Colombo, commented, “The ‘Battle of the Maroons’ is not merely a cricket match, it is a celebration of the enduring brotherhood between these two schools, where past and present students unite in support of this grand tradition.” Similarly, Iran Champika de Silva, Principal of Nalanda College, highlighted the event’s role in promoting the spirit of cricket and school unity while contributing to the development of Sri Lanka’s cricketing future.This year’s edition will be organized under the guidance of both schools’ principals by the Battle of the Maroons Joint Organizing Committee. Former Defense Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil, Chairman of the Sponsorship Sub-Committee, shared his thoughts on the event, “The 95th Battle of the Maroons is being organized on a grander scale than ever before. We hope to raise significant funds for the development of both schools, and with the support of more sponsors than ever, we are ready to make this event a great success.”Mahela Jayawardene, co-chairman of the Joint Organizing Committee and former Sri Lankan cricket team captain, shared his perspective, “Since organizing the Battle of the Maroons under a joint committee began in 2009, securing resources was initially challenging. However, with the help of both schools’ principals and approvals from the Ministry of Education, we’ve successfully reorganized the committee and are embarking on fresh efforts. This year, for every ticket sold – excluding those sold to schoolchildren – we are donating Rs. 1,000 toward the development of both schools’ sports programs.”Upali Dharmadasa, co-chairman of the Joint Organizing Committee, further stated, “In previous years, we faced many challenges, but we have never wavered. Last year, the match drew 30,000 spectators, and this year, we expect an even larger crowd. With the incredible support from the principals of both schools, our main goal is to provide maximum benefits to both schools with minimal expenses.”The Battle of the Maroons has produced numerous cricketing legends, including Arjuna Ranatunga, Sidath Wettimuny, Mavan Athapaththu, Chandika Hathurusinghe, Thilan Samaraweera, Sachithra Senanayake, and Dinesh Chandimal from Ananda College, as well as Bandula Warnapura, Asanka Gurusinghe, Roshan Mahanama, Kumar Dharmasena, and Mahela Jayawardene from Nalanda College.

This tournament continues to hold historical significance as it has consistently produced cricketers who have left a lasting impact on Sri Lankan cricket.This year, the 95th Battle of the Maroons promises to be an extraordinary and unforgettable sporting experience, with the participation of distinguished sponsors and increased anticipation.