Dialog Powers the 73rd ‘Battle of the Golds’: A Clash of Cricketing Titans

Lasantha Theverapperuma, Group Chief Marketing Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC handing over the Cheque to the two heads of the schools

Sri Lanka’s #1 connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata PLC, has proudly stepped forward as the main sponsor for the highly anticipated 73rd ‘Battle of the Golds’ encounter. This historic rivalry between Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, and Moratu Maha Vidyalaya, Moratuwa, will unfold on 28th, 29th, and 30th March at the De Soysa Cricket Stadium, Moratuwa. Following the three-day showdown, the 32nd limited-over clash is set for 6th April at the same venue.

As the official sponsor, Dialog is ensuring that fans won’t miss a moment of the action, with live coverage of both matches on Dialog Television – ThePapare TV HD (Channel 126), along with live streaming on ThePapare.com and the Dialog ViU App.

Sharing his excitement, Lasantha Theverapperuma, Group Chief Marketing Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, remarked, "We are proud to continue our commitment to this iconic encounter, nurturing young cricketing talent who could one day don the national jersey. Wishing both teams a thrilling and competitive game!"

This fierce battle of cricketing supremacy sees Duranka Silva leading Sri Sumangala College, while Isuru Fernando captains Moratu Maha Vidyalaya. In terms of victories, Sri Sumangala holds a slight edge with 8 wins to Moratu Maha Vidyalaya’s 7, while 57 matches have ended in draws. The 72nd encounter concluded in a stalemate. In the limited-over format, Sri Sumangala leads with 16 wins to Moratu Maha Vidyalaya’s 12 across 31 matches, with two games yielding no result. The fixture was not played in 2001 and 2021. Moratu Maha Vidyalaya holds a unique distinction – it is the only school in Sri Lanka to have produced both male and female national cricketers.

Both schools have produced notable cricketers for Sri Lanka's national team. Sarath Fernando, Bernard Perera, Ajantha Mendis, and Nishan Madushka hail from Moratu Maha Vidyalaya, while Tissa Eleperuma, Don Anurasiri, Indika Gallage, and Dilruwan Perera are proud products of Sri Sumangala.

Former Sri Lankan player Hasantha Fernando started his school cricket at Moratu Maha Vidyalaya. Inoshi Fernando and Upeksha Thabrew, both old girls of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya, have represented the nation in women’s cricket. Sri Lanka U19 national player Vishwa Lahiru is also a Sumangalian. Additionally, Kaushal Silva, Kithruwan Withanage, and Oshada Fernando began their school cricket at Sri Sumangala College. Another notable Sumangalian is Sri Lanka Cricket Vice President Ravin Wickramaratne, who still holds the Big Match record of scoring a century (104 not out) and 5 for 26 with a hat-trick in 1981.

Dialog is the proud sponsor of the National Cricket, Volleyball, Netball, and Esports teams. Dialog is also the primary sponsor of the Sri Lanka Golf Open and Paralympic sports by powering the National Para Games and the Sri Lankan contingent to the World Paralympic Games. Furthermore, in line with its commitment to empowering the champions of tomorrow, the company continues to support the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tournaments, and School Rugby.