Sri Lanka was once considered a contender in the 1970s but failed to perform well at the international level for about four decades.

China went on to win the final by scoring 4-2 in the penalty shootout and Sri Lanka secured the silver medal at the end of Round 1 competition.

After emerging as runners-up the Sri Lankan team qualified to play in the 2016-17 Men's FIH Hockey World League Round 2.

[3] However, Sri Lanka did not win a single game and crashed out from the FIH Hockey World League.

[citation needed] In 2016, Sri Lanka made history by qualifying to play in the finals of the Asian Hockey Federation Cup for the first time.