
The Under-16 boys’ volleyball team of Henarathgoda Keppetipola Maha Vidyalaya, a growing force in the school sports arena, has created history by qualifying for the Western Province volleyball final for the first time in the school’s 62-year history.
Approximately 100 Under-16 school teams competed in the tournament, with the initial rounds held at the Hanwella Rajasinghe Central College grounds. Keppetipola MV impressed throughout the competition, beating the strong teams from Royal College Colombo and Kandana Davisamara Vidyalaya in the early rounds to book a place in the semifinals. They then overcame Potupitiya Maha Vidyalaya in the semifinal to secure their place in the final and to represent the Western Province.
The final of the Western Province Under-16 boys’ volleyball championship is planned to be held soon. The victors, runners-up, and third-place teams from this final will qualify to represent the province at the All Island School Games (AISG) 2025 Volleyball Championship.
This accomplishment is particularly remarkable given the limited sports facilities at Keppetipola MV. The school’s journey to the Western Province final has been described as a landmark victory in its history.
The team’s achievement has been attributed to the guidance of Principal Samantha Munasinghe and sports in-charge teachers Ishani Gamage and Isurika Karunanayake, along with the expert coaching of Nayana Anupama Jayaratne, a former captain of the Sri Lanka women’s national volleyball team