Nimal Lewke a prominent figure and retired Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG), who excelled both in the field of Sports and Administration would like to extend his sincere gratitude to Gamani Fernando and Malik Sarawickrema for their pivotal role in encouraging him to reach the pinnacle, especially in the field of rugby coaching.
After becoming one of the most successful rugby coaches in the country, establishing several records, reaching great heights in the game, he believes that both Gamani Fernando and Malik Sarawickrema were influential and encouraged him to take up coaching, which ultimately resulted dividend while becoming the cynosure of eyes.
The 67-year-old Lewke completed his schools education at St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy while involving in several sports especially in boxing, where he won several titles including the National Championship later representing the country at International level.
He joined the Police Department as a probationary sub inspector in 1972 and served until 1983 before he joined the Special Task Force (STF), where he retired while being the commandant. When he was in the Police service he donned their jersey in Rugby, Cricket and Boxing winning several titles. He was also a member of the Police Rugby team which won the “Clifford Cup” in 1972/73/79 and 1980 which the year he led them as captain. While
being a ruggerite he represented Sri Lanka Police in the Sara Trophy Cricket tournament in 1970. He was also a member of the Pistol shooting team at the President’s Trophy in 1978/1979.
Later he was extended an invitation by Gamini Fernando to take over coaching at depleted Havelocks Sports Club when he was based in President’s security (PSD) in 1989. He worked tirelessly to guide Havies as they lost to CH and FC in the final with a narrow margin 0-4 This was a turning point for him in his coaching career as he later coached St.Joseph’s College, Colombo from 1989 to 1994 where he was took over by St.Peter’s College, Colombo and St.Thomas College, Mount Lavinia. He guided the two schools to win several trophies under his purview.
Malik Sarawickrema the Kandy Sports Club president extended an invitation in 1995 to take over coaching when he was based in Vauniya. He took them to win the triple crown in 1995 under Saman Kothalawala, 1996 under Imthi Marikkar and under Lasantha Wijesuriya in 1997. In 1999 he guided the Access team to win the Mercantile Rugby 7’s.
He was then called to occupy the Junior Rugby National Coach vacancy in 1998. He then was entrusted to take over the under-24 National team which later won the test series against Hong Kong for the first time in the history.
With this belligerent performance he was promoted to take over the Senior National Rugby team in 1999 where he served in this capacity until 2000. He guided the National team to win the international fixtures against Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia and China. The victory over Northern Territories of Australia was a unique achievement which apparently became first time in the history of Sri Lanka Rugby. Under him Sri Lanka won the Neighbors Cup held in Malaysia in 2000 before winning the Asian Plate championship in 1999.
He then changed gears in his career to get into rugby administration. He was elected as the President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football and held office from 2007 to 2008. While being in that capacity he had the rare distinct of being elected as the President of the Asian Rugby Football in 2008 becoming the second Sri Lankan to hold office in this capacity. He was instrumental in hosting Rugby Asiad during conflict time which undoubtedly is a tremendous achievement by a Lankan. Sri Lanka was runner up to Kazakhstan in the final.
Moreover, he was the winner of the Prestigious Presidential award for life time achievement in Sports – “Kreeda Bhushana”. Apart from the above sports accolades, he too was awarded the Police “Bravery Medal” for counter terrorism.
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