BY SANDHYA DISSANAYAKE, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
The Sri Lanka women’s national volleyball team departed the island yesterday to participate in the 2026 Central Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship, set to be held in Nepal from 22 to 29 May, with eight nations competing for regional honours.
Powered by Dialog Axiata, the Sri Lankan squad enters the tournament with renewed confidence and ambitious expectations as they prepare to face some of Asia’s emerging volleyball powers.
Challenging Group Awaits Sri Lanka
The championship will feature two preliminary groups. Sri Lanka have been placed in a highly competitive Group ‘B’ alongside Kazakhstan women’s national volleyball team, Iran women’s national volleyball team, and Bangladesh women’s national volleyball team.
Group ‘A’ consists of India women’s national volleyball team, Kyrgyzstan women’s national volleyball team, Maldives women’s national volleyball team, and hosts Nepal women’s national volleyball team.
Setter Ashani Chamodika will captain the Sri Lankan side during the tournament.
Coach Confident Despite Tough Draw
Head coach Amila Wijepala acknowledged the difficulty of Sri Lanka’s group but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to compete strongly and secure a place in the semifinals.
“Our group is comparatively more challenging than Group ‘A’,” Wijepala stated.
“Kazakhstan recently secured third place at the Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship after defeating China, making them our toughest challenge. We are confident of overcoming Bangladesh, while I also believe our players possess the ability to defeat Iran. Our objective is to win at least two matches and qualify for the semifinals.”
Intensive Preparation and Strong Squad
Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation Vice President Mahinda Bandara praised the players’ preparation and highlighted the extensive training programme undertaken ahead of the competition.
“We are fielding a very strong side for this tournament,” Bandara said. “The players have undergone close to two months of residential training at the Watupitiwala Indoor Stadium.”
He also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Sports and Dialog Axiata for their continued support of the national programme and the development of volleyball in Sri Lanka.
Dialog Reaffirms Commitment to National Sport
Speaking on behalf of the tournament sponsor, Dialog Axiata Group Chief Marketing Officer Lasantha Theverapperuma reiterated the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting Sri Lankan volleyball and athlete development.
“Among the many initiatives undertaken by Dialog to empower Sri Lankan sport, we remain fully committed to supporting volleyball, the nation’s national sport,” he said.
“Our objective is not only to provide talented young athletes with opportunities at school and national level, but also to help them reach the international stage. We are proud to power the Sri Lanka Women’s Volleyball Team for this tournament.”
Experienced and Balanced Squad Selected
Sri Lanka’s squad features a balanced blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talent.
The high-ball hitters include Dilukshi Harshani, Nimeshika Sewwandi, Preethika Pramodani, Timi Mary, Arana Sanjeewani, and Shalu Thilakshana.
Short-ball hitters named in the squad are Sanjeewani Karunaratne, Dilki Nethsara, Sesandi Ruwanya, and Piumi Bhashini.
Naduni Nimansala and Kavindi Asanthika have been selected as liberos, while captain Ashani Chamodika and Dilki Charuka will operate as setters.
With rigorous preparation completed and expectations steadily rising, Sri Lanka will now look to make a significant impact on the regional stage and continue the steady progress of women’s volleyball in the country.