Royal College vs. St. Peter's College: Battle for the Arjun Fernando-Percy Ernst Challenge Shield

SRI Lanka's most anticipated schools' tennis rivalry is set to ignite once again as Royal College, Colombo takes on St, Peter's College, Colombo in the 3rd Annual Arjun Fernando~Percy Ernst Challenge Shield on Saturday, 1 November, 2025, at the P. Nagendran Tennis Complex, Royal College.

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The marquee Under-19 encounter will commence at 11:00 a.m., alongside an Under-15 fixture, setting the stage fora day of exceptional school tennis featuring some ofthe island’ finest young talent.

Peterites eye a historic hat-trick

Reigning champions St. Peter's College arrive at Reid Avenue with confidence and pedigree, aiming to secure a third consecutive Shield victory. The Peterites pulled off a dramatic 3—2 comeback last year to retain the title, reaffirming their dominance in the school tennis circuit.

Leading the side is Captain Karthi Udayachandran, a composed and experienced player continuing a proud Peterite tennis tradition. His brother, Srinath Udayachandran, also once served as Vice-Captain, contributing significantly to St. Peter's longstanding legacy of excellence on the court.

The Peterites boast remarkable depth this season, spearheaded by Ganuka Fernando, Ashlin De Silva, and Mayooran Kubherane — three of Sri Lanka's top six ranked juniors. All three have represented Sri Lanka at the Junior Davis Cup, bringing valuable international experience and tactical maturity to the team.

Guiding the Peterites is Dinith Pathiraja, one of Sri Lanka's finest tennis minds. A renowned coach with a proven track record of producing top-tier national players, Pathiraja’s technical expertise and strategic acumen have been instrumental in shaping St. Peter's into a powerhouse of school tennis.

Royalists seek redemption on home soil