Welcome to the web site of the “Battle of the Maroons”, the cricket encounter played between the two Maroons Ananda and Nalanda which, completes 81 years on the year of launching this site on 2010.

The Battle of the Maroons was first played in 1924 between the two brother schools Ananda and Nalanda. Having started Nalanda as an offshoot of Ananda in 1924, a "Big Match" was initiated between the two brotherly schools with the aim of building relations between the two institutions and developing their cricket in the sporting arena.

The Big Match was played with much pride and fanfare and was a most awaited and cherished event for both the schools. A fine tradition was built up over the decades while the cricketing abilities of both schools grew surpassing other cricket playing schools in the Island. The Battle of the Maroons became a symbol of brotherhood between Ananda and Nalanda that was unique in the Island.

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The 36^th limited overs match was concluded successfully on 14th at SSC. Ananda won the match with total of 207 runs while Nalanda was all out for 169.

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The 81^st Battle of the Maroons was concluded successfully on 07th at SSC.

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The 81^st Battle of the Maroons will create the history in Sri Lankan sports, by introducing RF ID (Radio Frequency Identification Device), Technology to track the Spectators.

The Spectators would be given an RF ID card as opposed to the conventional tear off tickets. The cards are to be brought closer to the Proximity Reader as and when the spectators in-Gated and out-Gated. The Gates are equipped with the Readers and there will be a Display, to monitor spectator In and Out movements.

This would streamline the ticketing process as opposed to a third person checking the tickets manually as in conventional process.

The System was fully designed and implemented by the Battle of the Maroons Joint Committee IT team.

The traditional cricket encounter between the two leading Buddhist institutions Ananda and Nalanda will be played this weekend. This is the 81st occasion they battle it out for cricketing supremacy.
Over the years these two schools have developed a unique tradition in this series while the game of cricket is played according to the highest standards in the world. This was quite evident when the Sri Lankan Cricket team won the spirit of cricket award twice under the proud captaincy of Mahela Jayawardena who learned the basics of the game, its finer points and values in his younger days at Nalanda. Cricketers produced by these two schools have always been maintaining high standards at any level of the game.

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An article written by Varuna Ratnaweera

The 81^st Battle of the Maroons Press Conference and the Web Launch was held at SSC on 25th, with the participation of principal sponsors, Sri lanka Telecom and Sri Lanka Telecom/Mobitel.

Mrs. Leisha De Silva Chandrasena the Chairperson of Sri lanka Telecom, Mr. Suren J Amarasekara, CEO/Sri Lanka Telecom/Mobitel and Mrs. Vijitha Ratnayake, Deputy Chief Corporate Officer, Sri Lanka Telecom participated together with the Big match Joint committee Chairmen Mr.Upali Dharmadasa, Mr.Ravi Ahangama, Ananda College Principal Mr L.M.D.Dharmasena , Nalanda College Deputy Principal Sarath Gunathilake and the two captains Matheesha Perera and Dinuk Jayasinghe.

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The first Ticket for 81^st Battle of the Maroons was sold to Big Match Joint Committee Co-Chairman Mr. Upali Dharmadasa. This was done on 18^th of February in an auspicious time at Nalanda college, Language center. Representatives from both schools, including the Joint committee members, Principals, Prefects and other well wishers were present at the occasion.

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An interesting article written by Dalton Wakwella