Sandika Hemakumari to Captain Sri Lanka’s Women’s Sevens Squad at the Colombo Leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series
AI-generated illustration of a Sri Lankan women’s rugby team at a Colombo stadium. No authentic squad photograph is embedded.
Sri Lanka’s women’s rugby sevens team will take the field at home on 17 and 18 October, with Sandika Hemakumari appointed captain for the second leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2026. The matches are scheduled for the Racecourse Ground in Colombo, where the national team will meet regional opposition in front of local supporters.
The squad announcement, reported by Daily Mirror journalist Shamseer Jalee on 14 October and corroborated by SriLankaSports.com, gives Sri Lankan supporters a clear line-up to follow as the Colombo leg approaches. For the players, it represents an opportunity to compete on home soil and measure their game against some of Asia’s leading women’s sevens teams.
Sandika Hemakumari, named captain for the second leg of the 2026 Asia Rugby Sevens Series. Photo: SriLankaSports.com.
Hemakumari named to lead the team
SriLankaSports.com reported on 13 October that Hemakumari had been appointed captain for the Asian Series second leg. The appointment places her at the head of a 12-player squad selected by Sri Lanka Rugby for the two-day competition.
The captaincy and the squad announcement together mark an important moment for the team as preparations turn towards a tournament staged in Colombo. At home, players will be supported by familiar surroundings and the presence of local fans, while also facing the challenge of competing against strong regional opposition.
The selected squad is:
- Kanchana Deneththi
- Hakashini Krishnakumara
- Sandika Hemakumari (captain)
- Nipuni Rasanjalee
- Charani Liyanage
- Idusha Perera
- Dilki Sathsarani
- Dewmi Ratnayake
- Sanjeewani Perera
- Nirasha Dissanayake
- Nadeesha Dissanayake
- Kaveesha Perera
Three additional players have been named on stand-by: Priyanka Wijesingha, Chamilka Chamilka and Sanjeewani Wijethilaka. The reserve group provides cover if required, while confirming the depth of players being considered for the national side.
An important test on home soil
The Colombo leg offers Sri Lanka’s players the chance to test themselves against some of Asia’s leading women’s sevens teams. As Daily Mirror reported, the team will be keen to make the most of playing in front of its own supporters, while the competition is expected to provide valuable exposure for local players.
The importance of a home tournament is not limited to the result of any single match. Competing against strong regional opponents can give players a practical measure of their speed, decision-making and coordination under pressure. The short, fast-paced nature of sevens rugby places particular emphasis on fitness, communication and the ability to adapt quickly as play moves across the field.
For the Sri Lankan squad, the two days at Racecourse will therefore offer a concentrated opportunity to build experience in a demanding tournament setting. The team will aim to make a strong performance on home soil and improve its standing in the series, without the squad selection itself suggesting any guaranteed outcome.
A chance for supporters to be part of the occasion
The presence of a national team on home ground gives supporters a direct opportunity to watch women’s rugby at a high level. Their encouragement can help create an energetic atmosphere for the players, while also drawing attention to a sport that is continuing to develop in Sri Lanka.
Local tournaments can be particularly valuable for young people who are curious about taking up a sport but have had few opportunities to see it played at international level. Watching a national squad compete offers a visible example of the commitment, preparation and teamwork required to represent the country. For young women considering rugby, the Colombo leg may be an encouraging reminder that there is a place for them in the game, whether as developing players, supporters or future members of the sport’s wider community.
Such inspiration is most meaningful when it is supported by lasting opportunities: accessible training, coaching, competition and pathways into representative teams. A tournament cannot establish those structures on its own, but it can help bring the sport into public view and encourage further interest. The visibility of Sri Lanka’s women’s team in Colombo is therefore a welcome part of the broader effort to strengthen women’s participation in rugby.
The value of representation
A captain’s role extends beyond the formal designation on a team sheet. In a fast-moving competition, leadership can help a group maintain focus, communicate clearly and respond to changing circumstances. Hemakumari’s appointment identifies her as the player entrusted with that responsibility for this leg of the series.
The squad brings together 12 selected players, with three further names on stand-by. Each member will contribute to the team’s preparation and presence at the event, while the stand-by players remain part of the group supporting the national campaign. Together, the selection reflects the collective nature of rugby, in which individual skill is most effective when combined with trust, coordination and shared purpose.
For supporters following the team, the announcement also offers a chance to recognise the players by name and follow their progress throughout the Colombo leg. Clear coverage of women’s sport matters: it gives athletes visibility, records their achievements and helps build a stronger connection between teams and their communities.
Colombo in the series spotlight
The two-day competition at the Racecourse Ground will place Sri Lankan women’s rugby before a home audience as teams from across the region meet in Colombo. For Sri Lanka, it is an opportunity to test its level, gain valuable exposure and represent the country in a prominent regional event.
There is no need to predict the outcome to recognise the significance of the occasion. The team has been selected, its captain appointed and its home tournament set. As the players prepare to take the field on 17 and 18 October, the focus will be on performance, experience and the support of those watching from the stands.
For young women considering rugby, for families discovering the game and for established supporters of Sri Lankan sport, the Colombo leg is an invitation to see the national team compete at home. The occasion offers a positive moment for women’s rugby in Sri Lanka and a reminder that support for the game can grow alongside the players who represent it.
Source: Daily Mirror, “Sri Lanka pick women’s squad for Asian Sevens”
Additional source: SriLankaSports.com. “Sandika Hemakumari Named Sri Lanka Women’s Sevens Rugby Captain for Asian Series Second Leg”
This article was written based on the sources https://www.dailymirror.lk/sports/Sri-Lanka-pick-womens-squad-for-Asian-Sevens/244-352488 and https://www.srilankasports.com/2026/10/13/sandika-hemakumari-named-sri-lanka-womens-sevens-rugby-captain-for-asian-series-second-leg/, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.
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