Ashan to lead Sri Lanka Development squad in Dubai

CR and FC fly half Ashan de Costa has been picked to lead the Sri Lanka Development Squad which will take part in the International Invitation Tournament of the Dubai Rugby Sevens which will be worked off from November 27 to 29, 2008.

Costa was chosen to lead the team after Kandy SC and Sri Lanka scrum half Saliya Kumara along with CR and Sri Lanka centre Mohamed Sheriff and Kandy SC's Gayan Weeraratne pulled out from the squad as they were unable to obtain duty leave from their firms as the Lankan team is not a national side but only a Development squad tagged as the SLRFU President's sevens team.

Saliya Kumara, Weeraratne and Sheriff have been replaced by Wasim Thajudeen (Havelocks) Suranga Pushpakumara (CR and FC) and Tuan Shamrock (CH and FC). The Lankan Development squad will play against leading clubs from Fiji, Japan, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

The Lankans will confront Les Bleus 7's, Etihad Harlequins and South Sea Drifters in their Group matches on the first day while 16 leading countries will compete in the IRB sevens tournament for the Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield championship. The SLRFU President's Sevens team - Ashan de Costa (Captain), Lasintha de Costa, Dushanth Lewke, Danushka Perera, Kasun de Silva, Suranga Pushpakumara (all from CR and FC), Poornaka Delpachitra (St. Peter's and Havelocks), Wasim Thajudeen (Havelocks), Chula Susantha (Police), Dinusha Chathuranga (Isipathana), Sajith Saranga (Isipathana and CH and FC), Tuan Shamrock (CH and FC).