By Tharupathi Welmilla
Sri Lanka will begin its campaign in the expanded Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2026 with a 12-player women’s squad captained by Charani Liyanage, as the island nation prepares to take on Asia’s leading Sevens teams in Suzhou, China, on August 29 and 30.
The 2026 women’s series has been enlarged to 12 participating nations, creating a broader and more competitive platform for women’s rugby in the region. Sri Lanka will compete alongside hosts China, Japan, Hong Kong China, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Kazakhstan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Uzbekistan and Iran.
Liyanage will lead a relatively young and determined Sri Lankan outfit into the two-day tournament, with the team facing a demanding schedule against a field featuring several established Asian rugby powers.
The Sri Lankan squad comprises Sanjeewani Wijethilaka, Sandika Hemakumari, Dilini Kanchana, Nipuni Rasanjali, Umayangana Thathsarani, Jayanthi Kumari, Nadeesha Dishanayaka, Dilki Sathsarani, Dewimi Ratnayake, Priyanka Dilrukshi and Krishnakumar Hekashini, alongside captain Liyanage.
Sri Lanka’s preparations will be tested immediately in Suzhou, with Japan, China and Hong Kong China among the teams expected to provide the strongest challenge. However, the presence of several emerging rugby nations also means the competition could produce closely fought encounters throughout the opening leg.
For Sri Lanka, the tournament represents an opportunity to measure its progress against a wider range of opponents while gaining valuable international experience in an increasingly competitive women’s Sevens environment.
The team will also have three reserve options available should changes be required during the campaign. Chamilka Silva, Sanjeewani Perera and Nirasha Dissanayake have been named as standby players.
With the women’s competition expanding from eight to 12 teams, the 2026 series promises a greater level of competition and exposure for women’s rugby across Asia. Sri Lanka will now look to make the most of the opportunity and establish itself among the region’s competitive Sevens nations when the action gets underway in Suzhou.
Sri Lanka Women’s Squad:
Charani Liyanage (Captain), Sanjeewani Wijethilaka, Sandika Hemakumari, Dilini Kanchana, Nipuni Rasanjali, Umayangana Thathsarani, Jayanthi Kumari, Nadeesha Dishanayaka, Dilki Sathsarani, Dewimi Ratnayake, Priyanka Dilrukshi and Krishnakumar Hekashini.
Standby: Chamilka Silva, Sanjeewani Perera and Nirasha Dissanayake. (TW)
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