COLOMBO, Oct 5 (ePRESS) – Royal College Colombo produced a dominant performance to win the most prestigious Senior Four (Boat Race) and secure the TN Fernando Memorial Trophy, defeating S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia by 36–16 at the 54th Royal–Thomian Rowing Championship, sponsored by Pinwatta Gems, held at the Colombo Rowing Club on the Beira Lake.
The Boat Race, the highlight of the annual encounter, was the decisive event of the day. Royal’s senior crew — Saaj Ajmal, Niduk Vimukthi, Udep Liyanage, Thevinu Weligapolage, and cox Rahil Abeyratne — powered through the waters to clock two minutes and 55 seconds, equalling the existing record to claim the most coveted title in school rowing.
Royal also displayed all-round supremacy across the day’s races, capturing several other key trophies.
The Junior Fours Event, for the Eraj Wijesinghe Trophy, went to Royal College with a timing of three minutes and 10 seconds, thanks to the efforts of Yenura Algoda, Janik Jayasekara, Omiru Hettiarachchi, Dinuk Rajapaksa, and cox Chandev Rathdalgoda.
Royal also claimed the C Fours Event, winning the Percy Fernando Trophy with a time of three minutes and 17 seconds, rowed by Revan Abeyratne, Sasinu Kanaharaarachchi, Hiruka Silva, Udula Ranwella, and Helika Gunaratne.
In the Under-16 Fours, Royal’s young rowers captured the Captain Janaka de Fonseka Memorial Trophy in three minutes and 27 seconds. The victorious crew comprised Kevan Abeyratne, Imesh Karunaratne, Imash Gunawardena, Weeraka Madugalle, with Sashen Fernando as cox.
The Old Boys’ Four, a much-anticipated veterans’ event, also went Royal’s way, clocking one minute and 45 seconds to underline their tradition of strength on the Beira waters.
S. Thomas’ College, however, managed to secure pride through their technical prowess in sculling events. They won the Senior Double Sculls, the inaugural Sirisena Sirimane Trophy, in three minutes and 10 seconds with Denura Deheragoda and Janava de Saram rowing in fine rhythm.
Royal regained control in the Junior Double Sculls, lifting the Revival Trophy (Mohideen Phillips Trophy) in three minutes and 15 seconds, rowed by Niduk Vimukthi and Riza Illyas.
In pairs events, Royal’s Saaj Ajmal and Thevinu Weligapolage took the Senior Pairs – Pedi Rocks Trophy with a time of three minutes and 36 seconds, while Udip Liyanage and Dinuk Rajapaksa triumphed in the Junior Pairs – Chula Samarasinghe Trophy in three minutes and 20 seconds.
S. Thomas’ College ended on a high note in the Senior Scull, where Denura Deheragoda clocked three minutes and 21 seconds to capture the individual title.
This year’s result marked Royal College’s second consecutive overall victory, narrowing the historical tally to 25 wins for S. Thomas’, 24 for Royal, with five draws in the 54-year history of the celebrated inter-school regatta.
