St. Anthony’s College, ruggerite Kaluarachchi“Kalu” Perera was drowned in October 2015 at Pingha Oya close to his house at Katugastota at the age of 58. He was better known as ‘Kalu’ and was not dark in complexion a shortened version of his first name. He was a talented player during his playing days and was a bone jarring tackler. He did his best in sports for the Antonians. Kalu represented St. Anthony’s College at cricket, athletics and rugby in the early 1970’s. It was at rugby that he really shone as a centre three quarter and at times manning the last line of defence and on some occasions taking the spot kicks when the regulars failed. .
He played for Kandy Sports Club while still in school and later joined the Sri Lanka Navy before returning to his home town and gave his best for Kandy Sports Club as a player and coach He also represented Up Country.
He was a stern disciplinarian where schools rugby was concerned. At one of the matches played by the school , a player was shown the ‘red card’ for an unwarranted dangerous tackle which sent the opposition player to the ground. Kalu Perera lost his cool and slapped the offending player.. On the following day the papers carried the story headlined ‘The Black Shot’.
He was the head coach of the Antonians for several years and guided the side to win several matches.
He was a coach par excellence who coached St. Anthony’s College for several years and produced players of the calibre of Lakshman Ekanayake, Priyantha Ekanayake, Leroy Fonseka, Shanitha Fernando, and Bharatha Seneviratne. One of his best products is Priyantha Ekanayake, who was a top class forward with good rugby knowledge and was one of the best rugby players who was an outstanding third row forward.
He had an excellent record in school with his talent. Towering over six feet, Priyantha played rugger, cricket, and basketball and also took part in athletics for the Antonians from 1982 to 1984. He started his rugby career under the guidance of Kalu Perera, who coached him till he left school. Priyantha played for Kandy SC, CR & FC and captained Sri Lanka at a record four Rugby Asiads. Kalu also coached Sri Rahula College Katugastota rugby team and produced some top players and was in charge of their ground at the time of his death.
He was seen at every match played by Kandy Sports club and St. Anthony’s College. He was also the record keeper in rugby tournaments. In 1972 he played for the Katugastota School under the leadership of Tuan Dole with players like Ranjith Karunathilake, Tyrone Rosairo, Ian Lodewykejnr.D.HRajaguru, Shanmuganathan, Dayananda De Silva. S. Sevagan, Nimal Malagamuwa, CPP Raj, Clement Fernando, Christopher Anderson, J M. Waidyaratne, A Piyasena,Hilmy Jainudeen., Clive Fernando and Lucky Vitharane was the coach and Fr. Aelred Samarakoon (Prefect of Games),. Then in 1973 he was vice captain of the school, and the side was led by Jeffrey Paul.
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