From Left to Right: Mr. Riyaz Haniffa – Head of Marketing Operations, Dialog Axiata PLC, Vice President SLVBF Commander Mahesh Kariyawasam, Mr. Lasantha Theverapperuma – Group Chief Marketing Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC, Mr.Mahinda Bandara – Vice President, Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, and Vice President Sri Lanka Volleyball Maj. Gen. Dilupa Bandara
The Sri Lanka Women’s Volleyball Team, powered by Dialog Axiata is set to depart the country on May 20 to compete in the 2026 Central Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship, which will be held from 22 to 29 May with the participation of eight nations from across the region.
The tournament will be played in two preliminary groups, with the Sri Lankan side, captained by Ashani Chamodika, drawn in Group ‘B’ alongside Kazakhstan, Iran and Bangladesh. Group ‘A’ will feature India, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives and hosts Nepal.
Sri Lanka Head Coach Amila Wijepala believes the team is well prepared to face the challenge despite being drawn in a highly competitive group.
“Our group is comparatively more challenging than Group ‘A’. 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 semi-finals,” he said.
Vice President of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, Mahinda Bandara, expressed confidence in the squad and praised the players for their commitment during the preparation period.
“We are fielding a very strong side for this tournament. The players have undergone close to two months of residential training at the Watupitiwala Indoor Stadium. We are grateful to the Ministry of Sports for its invaluable assistance in facilitating this tour. We also sincerely appreciate the continued sponsorship and commitment shown by Dialog Axiata towards Sri Lanka’s national sport and this international campaign,” he said.
Group Chief Marketing Officer of Dialog Axiata, Lasantha Theverapperuma, reaffirmed the company’s continued investment in Sri Lankan sport 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. 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 and extend our best wishes to the squad,” he said.
The Sri Lanka squad for the Central Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship includes high-ball hitters Dilukshi Harshani, Nimeshika Sewwandi, Preethika Pramodani, Timi Mary, Arana Sanjeewani and Shalu Thilakshana. Short-ball hitters are Sanjeewani Karunaratne, Dilki Nethsara, Sesandi Ruwanya and Piumi Bhashini.
Naduni Nimansala and Kavindi Asanthika will serve as liberos, while captain Ashani Chamodika and Dilki Charuka have been named as setters.
The support staff includes Head Coach Amila Wijepala, Assistant Coach Udaya Rukmal, Trainer Upendra Perera, Women’s Team Officer Renuka Nilmini and Team Manager Mahesh Kariyawasam.
Dialog Axiata is the proud sponsor of Sri Lanka’s national cricket, volleyball and esports teams, as well as the principal sponsor of the Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship. Through its continued support of the Sri Lanka Netball Federation and the National Paralympic Committee of Sri Lanka, the company plays a significant role in enabling Sri Lankan athletes to compete at both national and international level while promoting diversity, equality and inclusion in sport. In line with its commitment to empowering the champions of tomorrow, Dialog also continues to support the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball Championship, national junior and senior netball tournaments, and schools rugby across the country.
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