Sri Lanka’s most experienced rugby coach and former national coach, currently serving as Head Coach of Army Sports Club, Sanath Martis, has been officially appointed Head Coach of Isipathana College for the 2026 season. The announcement was made yesterday at the school premises, providing a major boost to the Green Shirts following a disappointing 2025 season.
Isipathana College, one of the country’s top rugby schools, finished sixth in the Dialog ‘A’ Division Rugby League Tournament 2025, suffering losses to rivals S. Thomas’ College (24-36), Trinity College (10-32), St Peter’s College (5-14), and Royal College (30-31), though they managed a win over Wesley College (21-17).
In a bid to restore the school’s past glory, the college turned to Martis, a former Isipathanian and coach with a proven record at top rugby schools.
Martis, who played as a hooker for Isipathana in 1984, went on to represent CR & FC and toured Chinese Taipei with the Sri Lanka Youth Team in 1985. His coaching career began at St Anne’s College, Kurunegala, before he moved to Wesley College, Colombo as head coach. He returned to Isipathana in 2003-2004 and then coached St Peter’s College from 2005 to 2011, winning League Championships in 2006, 2007, and 2010 and the MILO Schools Knockout Titles in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010.
Martis also served as Sri Lanka Under-19 coach in 2012 and guided Royal College, Colombo from 2014 to 2017, producing league titles in 2015 and 2017 and helping Royal win the Bradby Shield three consecutive years (2015-2017). Returning to St Peter’s in 2018, he guided them to MILO Knockout wins in 2018 and 2019, and Rugby Doubles in 2023 and 2024 under captains Ashen Madugaspie and Dulaj Navodya.
Martis also took charge of the Sri Lanka national team during a difficult period in 2024, helping the country reach the top tier of Asian rugby with a 59-19 victory over Malaysia in the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship Play-Off in Colombo in April 2025.
“We got the coach back after many years, which at this moment we need someone like him to take Isipathana rugby forward, because we were down a little bit last season. So we got the best one in the town,” said Roger Rodrigo, Chairman of the Isipathana Rugby Technical Committee, who also captained the school alongside Martis. “It’s easy to work with him and that’s why we requested him to join. He was always happy to come back to the college.”
Rodrigo also thanked the school leadership: “Thanks to the Principal who gave us all the support to bring Martis back. Without the Principal, it would have been difficult. I also thank Ana Swarnapala and Dilroy Fernando for being on the interview panel with me.”
With Martis back at the helm, Isipathana’s rugby supporters are hopeful for a revival of the Green Shirts’ dominance in 2026.
By – Daily News