Sri Lanka’s premier rowing event, the 53rd Royal-Thomian Regatta, took place on October 26 at the Colombo Rowing Club on Beira Lake. This highly anticipated competition featured the nation’s two most prestigious rowing institutions, Royal College and S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia, competing for the TN Fernando Memorial Trophy. Sponsored by Fondre, the event promised intense rivalry as both schools vied for supremacy on the waters.
S. Thomas’ College, captained by Ayuka Amarasekara, entered the regatta with the ambition of securing their third consecutive title, having won in both 2022 and 2023. However, Royal College, led by captain Nevan Perera, was determined to end their drought and reclaim the trophy.
In an impressive display, Royal College emerged victorious, defeating S. Thomas’ College by a substantial margin of 44 points to 8. With this win, Royal College broke the Thomians’ winning streak and took back the TN Fernando Trophy after a two-year interval. Royal College lost only two races in the regatta and secured the important Boat Race (A Fours) race easily, narrowly missing a new record by just a few seconds.