2026 School Athletics Calendar unveiled; Sir John Tarbat tournament gets new sponsor

The Sri Lanka Schools Athletics Association has released the official competition calendar for the Sir John Tarbat Athletics Championship, targeting the 2026 school athletics season. A notable change in this year's tournament is the withdrawal of Ritzbury, which had sponsored the Sir John Tarbat Championship for the past 12 years, from its sponsorship.

However, the Schools Athletics Association confirms that the tournament will continue under a new sponsor.

This year's school athletics season is scheduled to commence with the Schools Age Group Relay Championship, held from May 21 to 23 at the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium. Subsequently, the first phase of the Under-12 competitions for the Gampaha District will take place on June 2 and 3 at the Wathupitiwala Central College Grounds. Regional competitions are planned from June 5 to 7 at the Wennappuwa Public Stadium, targeting the North Western and Central Provinces, and on June 20 and 21 at the Beliatta Public Stadium for the Sabaragamuwa, Uva, and Southern Provinces.

The first phase competitions for Colombo and Kalutara districts will be held at the Bandaragama Public Stadium at the end of June and early July, while competitions for the Northern Province and Anuradhapura District will take place from July 7 to 8 at the Jaffna Duraiappah Stadium. Competitions for the Eastern Province and Polonnaruwa District are scheduled for July 11 at the Trincomalee Weber Stadium. The Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championship, a crucial stage of the overall tournament, is set to be held from September 7 to 10 at the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium.

In the latter half of the year, specifically on November 3 and 4, the second phase of the Under-12 Junior Championship will be held in Diyagama, and the Sir John Tarbat Road Race will take place in Diyagama on November 4. The 2026 school athletics season will conclude with the second phase of the Junior Athletics Championship, held from November 5 to 7 at the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium. The association further states that the main objective of this structured schedule is to strengthen school athletics development across the island and provide wide participation opportunities for athletes in every province.