VISION 2036 SCHOOLS SPORTS AWARDS 2025

COLOMBO, BMICH | Catapulting school sports in Sri Lanka to the next level the 3rd VISION 2036 School Sports Awards 2025 was staged and organized by SPORTSINFO, together with the Institute of Sports Management (IOSM).

Sri Lanka’s first and only national school sports awards ceremony, the event recognizes outstanding performances by the best school athletes across all sports. The VISION 2036 School Sports Awards was held at the BMICH on 25 February 2026 at 3.00 p.m.

A brainchild of SPORTSINFO Chairman Thilan Rangana, backed by former national record holder and President of the Vision 2036 Association, Talavou Alailima, this unique partnership brought these awards to life. The event is quickly becoming a prized occasion that school sportpersons across the country look forward to each year.

“Greats of the game aren’t created by luck. Our talented athletes must be encouraged, supported, and nurtured. Ultimately, all performances and significant sporting achievements depend on the hard work invested by all stakeholders working together to raise sporting standards.

The importance of hosting such an event emerged from the need to motivate, value, and recognize upcoming school athletes and stakeholders to ensure the future success of Sri Lankan sport. We have seen only a few sports recognizing their best athletes for years. However, if Sri Lankan sport is to achieve its potential, we must honour performances across all school sports, as they are the cradle of our future national achievements.

We will strive each year to make this a special day for our future national champions, so they remain encouraged, stay the course, and push themselves to achieve their very best for Sri Lanka. We should appreciate what we HAVE—before it becomes what we HAD,” said Mr. Thilan Rangana, Chairman of SPORTSINFO.

“If we plan to impact the world in sport, we must identify the talent of our children early and support them throughout their school sports journey. These winners were the best in 2024 and have proven their resolve, determination, passion, and grit, tested by fire to become the best in their sport. Undoubtedly, these athletes will bring honour to Sri Lanka in the next ten years.

Identifying the best athletes in our schools through the VISION 2036 School Sports Awards is the third step of ‘Vision 2036,’ which was also launched at the second awards ceremony. In 2036, India is bidding to host the Olympic Games, and as its neighbour, Sri Lanka must compete with honour and target medals at those Games.

The Vision 2036 initiative brings together all sports stakeholders into a structure that becomes laser-focused and nurtures champion athletes over the next 12 years. It is a structure not affected by changes 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 achieve 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 Abeykoon, and its members were the Director Sports of Ministry of Education Mr. Upali Amarathunga, Mr. Ana Punchihewa, Mr. Gamini Jayasinghe, Dr. Seevali Jayawickrema, Mr. Chandana Ekanayake, Rtd. General Rohana Bandara and Mr. Brendon Kuruppu.