The 49th Annual Limited Overs Encounter played for the Mustangs Trophy was held on the 28th of March 2026 at the SSC Grounds. This year, both teams faced each other to win the trophy after an anticlimactic draw for the 147th Battle of the Blues. The Thomian side consisted of Avinash Fernando (Captain), Aaron De Silva (Vice Captain), Jaden Amaraweera (Secretary), Abheeth Paranawidana, Reshon Solomons, Methuka Gunaratne, Stevon Peiris (Wicket Keeper), Raphael Hettige, Ludeesha Matarage, Shanil Perera, Gimhan Mendis and Minon Warnasuriya. The Coin Toss went in favour of the Thomians and the captain elected to bat first. The Thomians started off with a strong partnership from Jaden Amaraweera and Methuka Gunaratne scoring 95 runs with a quick succession of multiple
boundaries and a half century scored by Jaden Amaraweera. After the Royalist, Ramiru Perera bowled out Methuka Gunaratne, Avinash Fernando scored a few boundaries before being run out leading to a top-order collapse. After a succession of 6s from the Opening Batsman, Jaden Amaraweera, he was able to secure 150 runs. In the final over, bowled by Hirun Liyanarachchi, the Thomian opener scored a line of 6s without struggle. The Thomians Innings ended with 313 runs
with a outstanding performance from Jaden Amaraweera with 184 runs off 148 balls. In the Royalists Innings Hirun Liyanarachchi came off with a strong start after scoring 51 runs in no time but was bowled out by Shanil Perera in his 2nd delivery. After a shocking 6 by Ramiru Perera, Raphael Hettige quickly ended off his knock with 38 runs. Even after a middle-order collapse, Vimath Dinsara, the Sri Lanka U-19 Captain, kept his cool and scored a century. The most notable performance from the Royalist side had to have been the masterclass of 109 runs off 124 balls by Vimath Dinsara. The best Thomian figures were 2-60 by Shanil Perera. The Innings ended off with 291 runs. The Royalists won by 16 runs due to the DLS method. Jaden Amaraweera of course won The Best Batsman award after
his 184* runs off 148 balls which was the highest individual score in the history of the Mustangs encounter.

The Annual Royal-Thomian Cricket Encounter played for the Honourable D.S. Senanayake Shield was held on the 12th, 13th and 14th of March 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Grounds. This year marked the 147th edition of this prestigious encounter having being renowned as the Second Longest Uninterrupted Cricket Series played in the world, second only to the annual encounter played between St. Peter’s College – Adelaide and Prince Alfred College – Adelaide, Australia, that began just a year earlier.

Leading upto the Royal-Thomian, the Thomian side led by Avinash Fernando performed exceptionally well during the 1st XI Season of 2025/26 with one outright win and 7 first innings wins. On the other hand, the Royal team led by Rehan Peiris ended up with one outright win and 12 first innings wins during their 1st XI Season of 2025/26.

The Toss went in the favour of the Royalists and the Royal Captain opted to have a bowl first under warm and dry conditions on Day 1. The Thomian line up for the encounter featured Avinash Fernando (Captain), Jaden Amaraweera (Secretary), Abeeth Paranawidana, Reshon Solomons, Shanil Perera, Aaron Kodithuwakku, Gimhan Mendis, Raphael Hettige, Ludeesha Matarage, Methuka Gunarathne and Stevon Peiris.

The Thomian 1st Innings kick started with the formidable opening pair of Captain Avinash Fernando and Jaden Amaraweera with a 110 run stand for the opening partnership with both the players scoring half centuries. With the fall of Jaden Amaraweera for 52 runs and shortly after the fall of the skipper Avinash Fernando for 50 runs, the flow of runs deterred under the partnership of the two
freshers Methuka Gunerathne and Aaron Kodithuwakku. Thereafter, following the fall of 2 more wickets there was a scintillating Big Match debut of 44 runs by Methuka Gunerathne. Day 1 concluded with the Thomain side scoring 203 runs for the loss of 4 with Reshon Solomons and Raphael Hettige remaining not out.

Day 2 began with Reshon Solomons taking charge for the Thomain side scoring his 2nd half century in the big match. With dismissal Reshon Solomons for 66 runs, the Thomain 1st innings came close with a low order collapse by lunch on day 2. Gagan Gamage was the pick of the bowlers for the Royalists
with figures of 4 wickets for 49. The Royal 1st innings commenced in the most hysterical fashion as their first wicket fell with no runs on the board through Gimhan Mendis’ remarkable opening spell with the new ball. Accordingly, Day 2 came to a close early due to bad light with the Royalists stitching up 175 runs for the loss of 4 wickets with their skipper Rehan Peiris scoring an exceptional
innings with 63 runs and former skipper Ramiru Perera being the top scorer with an unbeaten 70 runs to his name.

Day 3 began with the fall of two wickets including the priced scalp of Ramiru Perera for 82 runs at the hands of Gimhan Mendis’ continued dominance with the ball. Thereafter, following the fall of several consecutive wickets, the Royalists declared their first innings at 261 runs for 9 wickets with Gimhan Mendis leading the Thomian attack having picked up 4 wickets for 60 runs and handing the Thomians a first innings lead of 41 runs.

Following the lunch break the Thomians walked out to bat in the 2nd
Innings having to face a race against time on the final day of the encounter. The Thomain openers once again gave a good start with an accelerated partnership. Thereafter, Jaden Amaraweera anchored the innings by scoring his maiden century at the Battle of the Blues showing immense grit and perseverance, and remained unbeaten at the end of the day’s play. The match ended in a draw with the Thomians batting in their second innings at 176 runs for 6 wickets. The Thomain batter Jaden Amaraweera was adjudged the Batsmen and the Player of the Match for his unbeaten century in the second innings of the 147th
Battle of the Blues.

Every day at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, old ways breathe fresh air into how students live now. Instead of fading memories, traditions shape moments like the yearly Cycle Parade – bright, bold, full of motion. This event isn’t about walking in line; it bursts with imagination, connection, shared pride. What makes it different? A feeling that grows stronger each time wheels turn together on campus soil.

Days before the Cycle Parade, a quiet buzz starts spreading through the halls. Bicycles sit propped up in garages, slowly changing shape under layers of color and care. Ribbons wind around handlebars. Flags rise like tiny sails above wheels. Balloons bob gently in afternoon breezes as paint dries on custom signs. Each touch tells something about who rides it – what they love, which house they stand
with. After classes end, small groups meet near lockers or at kitchen tables, sketching ideas out loud while trading supplies. One brings glitter, another tape; someone has extra cardboard. Talking flows easily during these hours, laughter mixing with scissors cutting shapes. What takes form isn’t only seen later on parade day – much of it lives already in those shared glances and passing jokes.
Belonging shows up quietly here, stitched between effort and time spent side by side.

That morning, the school stirs under a rush of noise and bright spirits. Bicycles arrive one by one, painted wildly, gathering into clusters that flash each house’s bold shade. From every corner, sound bounces – chatter, songs, giggles tangled with drumbeats. Onlookers pause near groups of kids, eyes catching details – a ribbon here, a handmade flag there. Belonging isn’t spoken; it hums between
shoulders brushing in shared grins.

Out front, the parade kicks into motion and everything shifts. Bodies in sync, they roll down city lanes drawing eyes without trying. Each push on a pedal matches shouts rising from sidewalks – some songs pop up too, unplanned. Pride shows up quiet at first, then grows loud inside chests when you least expect it. First-timers feel it strongest, like belonging snapped into place mid-turn.

Starting off on bikes, the parade passes more than just streets – it carries lessons too. Following directions matters here, since moving together means staying in line without falling apart. Working as one shows up when older boys help younger ones get ready. What stands out most? A feeling of closeness that runs deep through everyone at S. Thomas’ College. Side by side they roll forward, regardless of age, showing how shared paths build trust.

Held each year, the Cycle Parade reaches past its final lap. Students carry away moments they will remember for years, along with a quiet swell of belonging tied to their school. Tradition gains weight through these acts – each rider becomes a thread in a story stretching back decades. Smiles spread easily that day; jokes pass between riders; friendships tighten. These feelings do not fade when the route finishes – they linger like echoes down empty hallways.

When the bikes roll by, something deeper rolls too – the weight of years, maybe, or just pride wearing old colors. Each float tells a story not written down anywhere official, alive because hands build it again every time. Motion keeps memory warm; noise stitches people closer than rules ever could. That school feeling – hard to name but easy to recognise – rides along without saying a word. Forward
isn’t just direction here – it becomes tradition breathing.