06/08/2026
Historic Milestone for Sri Sumangala College, Riyaz Ismail Memorial Gymnasium and Milan Rathnathilake Building Officially Declared Open A landmark chapter in the history of Sri Sumangala College, Kandy, was written on 4th August 2026 with the ceremonial opening of the Riyaz Ismail Memorial High Performance Gymnasium and the Milan Rathnathilake Building, two major infrastructure projects dedicated to the development of the College's sporting excellence.
The High Performance Gymnasium, equipped with state-of-the-art professional training equipment, fills a long-standing need of the College and marks a significant investment in the future of its student athletes. The facility has been established through the generous sponsorship of the Riyaz Ismail Scholarship Foundation, affiliated with AFI Corps (Pvt) Ltd, which donated all professional gymnasium equipment and accessories required for the project.
The renovation and development of the building that now houses the gymnasium was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of Mr. Milan Rathnathilake, a distinguished past pupil of the Batch of 2002, who solely funded the construction and refurbishment, leaving behind a lasting legacy for future generations of Sumangalians.
The ceremony was graced by Mr. Zainudeen Gadaffi Ismail, Chairman of the AFI Group, as the Chief Guest, accompanied by Mrs. Gadaffi Ismail and their family.
Guests of Honour included Mrs. Iroshi Senadheera, representing Mr. Milan Rathnathilake, Mr. Sampath Senavirathna, Coordinator of the Batch of 2002, and Mr. T. S. Wijesundara, Director of Sports of the Kandy Zonal Education Office.
Also in attendance were the Principal, members of the clergy, Vice Principals, officials of the Past Pupils' Association, members of the School Development Society, the Summa Rugby Integration Committee, the Rugby Sub Committee, teachers, parents, distinguished invitees and rugby players from the First XV through the Under-12 teams.
The event was more than the opening of a new sports facility. It celebrated a shared vision of developing young people through sport, discipline and leadership. Since becoming the Platinum Sponsor of Summa Rugby in 2025, Mr. Zainudeen Gadaffi Ismail and AFI Corps (Pvt) Ltd have continuously supported the programme, not merely as sponsors but as committed partners in building a sustainable sporting culture within the College.
The naming of the Riyaz Ismail Memorial High Performance Gymnasium serves as a lasting tribute to the memory of Mr. Riyaz Ismail, whose values of generosity and service continue to inspire through this remarkable initiative.
The Milan Rathnathilake Building similarly stands as a symbol of gratitude and commitment, reflecting the enduring bond between a distinguished past pupil and his alma mater.
This historic achievement was successfully coordinated through the dedicated efforts of Summa Rugby Integration, together with the Principal, the Past Pupils' Association, the School Development Society, the Rugby Sub Committee, donors, parents and well-wishers who worked collectively to transform a shared dream into reality.
The opening of these two landmark facilities represents not only an investment in infrastructure but also an investment in the future of Sri Sumangala College, creating opportunities for generations of students to pursue excellence in sport while fostering discipline, resilience and leadership.
Today, we did not simply open a gymnasium and a building; we laid the foundation for a culture of excellence that will inspire generations of students of the college
