Dialog-powered Women's team primed for tourney

The Sri Lanka Women’s Volleyball Team, powered by Dialog Axiata, left the country yesterday (20) to compete in the 2026 Central Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship, scheduled to be held from 22-29 May in Nepal with the participation of eight nations.

The tournament will be played in two preliminary groups, with Sri Lanka drawn in Group ‘B’ alongside Kazakhstan, Iran and Bangladesh. Group ‘A’ consists of India, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives and hosts Nepal.

The Sri Lankan side will be captained by setter Ashani Chamodika.

Head coach Amila Wijepala said the team was prepared for the challenge despite being placed in a 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 semifinals,” he said.

Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation Vice President Mahinda Bandara expressed confidence in the squad and commended the players for their preparation.

“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.

Dialog Axiata Group Chief Marketing Officer 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.

Dialog Axiata has continued to support volleyball development in Sri Lanka through school-level competitions, national programmes, and sponsorship of the national teams as part of its wider commitment to Sri Lankan sport.

The Sri Lanka squad 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, while Naduni Nimansala and Kavindi Asanthika have been named as liberos. Ashani Chamodika and Dilki Charuka will serve as setters.

Source - The Morning