Embassy Team Secures Third Place and Best Team Jersey at Commonwealth Club Cricket Cup 2026
For the third consecutive year, Sri Lanka was awarded first place for “Best Food” at the Commonwealth Food Fair, held alongside the Commonwealth Club Cricket Cup 2026, organised by the Commonwealth Club of Rome with UISP Roma, under the patronage of the Italian Cricket Federation, on 26 September 2026 at the Roma Cricket Ground in Rome, Italy. The Sri Lanka Embassy Team also secured third place in the cricket tournament and received the “Best Team Jersey” trophy.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Rome participated in the event in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), engaging with representatives of diplomatic missions, international organisations, cricket clubs and communities, as well as cricket enthusiasts from several countries.
Speaking to Gazzetta Diplomatica at the venue, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Italy, Satya Rodrigo, highlighted cricket’s special place in Sri Lanka as a sport that brings together communities across generations. He also noted the growth of cricket in Italy, including the Italian national team’s debut at the ICC World Cup during the T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, and paid tribute to Francis Alphonsus Jayarajah, the first captain of the Italian national cricket team in 1984.
The Sri Lankan stall, catered by Suresh Food & Drinks Restaurant in Rome, run by Suresh Kekulthotuwage, offered visitors a selection of Sri Lankan dishes, including kottu, chicken fried rice, pol roti with seeni sambol, vegetable rolls, chicken patties and watalappan, accompanied by Ceylon Tea. The Embassy and the SLTPB also shared information on Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage, scenic destinations, beaches, wildlife and hospitality.
On the field, the Embassy Team secured third place, demonstrating strong team spirit and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. The award-winning team jersey combined maroon and gold colours with the lion and lotus, reflecting the spirit of Sri Lanka alongside landmarks of Rome.
Initiated in 2017 by the Commonwealth Club of Rome, the Commonwealth Club Cricket Cup brings together teams from Commonwealth diplomatic missions, Rome-based international organisations, cricket clubs and other institutions, promoting cricket, sportsmanship and interaction among the Commonwealth community and the wider international community in Italy. The five teams participating this year were the Embassies of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, a UN team representing the Rome-based agencies, the Commonwealth Club of Rome, and the Rome International–University of Cassino team, comprising young students from India and Pakistan.
The Sri Lanka Embassy first participated in 2024, securing second place in the cricket tournament and first place for Best Food. In 2025, it retained the Best Food title and secured third place in the cricket tournament.
The Embassy thanked the SLTPB, members of the Sri Lankan community and all stakeholders who contributed to Sri Lanka’s successful participation. It looked forward to continuing such initiatives to promote Sri Lanka’s tourism, culture, cuisine and sporting traditions, while further strengthening friendship and people-to-people ties between Sri Lanka and Italy.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Rome
07 October 2026
