Ravindra “Ravi” Balasuriya played rugger for Trinity College Kandy from 1970 -1978 , and had the privilege of Captaining the side in 1977 , He most often played Number 8, but was also versatile enough to play flanker or even as lock forward His ball handling was arguably his greatest asset. He was a top class player and administrator who was one of the most influential and controversial figures in the history of the sport. Having impressed during his time he played club rugby for Kandy Sports Club and CR and FC. Ravi started his schooling with St.Sylvester’s College before joining Trinity College where he excelled in rugby. who made a huge impact on the game. He had a unique combination of power, size and speed that made him devastating with the ball in hand. He also served the Old Trinitians rugby scrummage and at one time was president of CR and FC.
Ravi began his rugby career for Trinity College from under 15 level in1971/72, under 17 in 1973/74 and from 1975 to 1978 for the senior side. He won his colours in1975 and was rewarded in 1976. He won the coveted lion in 1977,the year he captained and led the side to be unbeaten throughout the season and emerged as unofficial schools rugby champions, regained the coveted Bradby Shield after three years having won the Bogambara first leg 12-6, and the Longden Place second leg 10-4. If not for this teams good work under Ravi Balasuriya’s leadership Royal College would have won the Bradby Shield for six years in a row That year Trinity won the Philip BuultjensTrophy for schools rugby sevens beating St Anthony’s College 22-04 in the final,having beaten the Thomians 16-0 in the semi-final. He also had the privilege of leading the Sri Lanka schools rugby team of 1977 and it was under his leadership that Trinity became the first school team ever to be invited to participate in an overseas competition. That year the side consisted of players like Ravindra “Ravi” Balasuriya, J.V. Tissera, J.K. Congreve, Janaka Kiridene, Kemal Deen, C.B. Ellepola, Y.C. Wong, M.I. Raheemen,H.V. Gunasekara, T. Omar, M .Adumai Sahideen, R. Ratnayake, L.M. Sourjah, E.S.Rodrigo, K.T. Alagarathnam, M. Richrrdson, R.V. David, S. Vethanayaja,. M.H.A. Bibile, K. Rahavan, A.R. Tissera The,Coach was Maurice Perera and the principal was E. Lionel Fernando.
Ravi became the president of the CR & FC and was one of the most influential Presidents from 2005 to 2008 and gave his best for the game he played and he was a live wire of the club and never misses a game where his club is involved. He played for the Sri Lanka side against the Paris University as a school boy in 1977. Played for the Kandy Sports Club side in 1977 and 78, Then in the year1979 joined CR and FC and played up to 1980, and again in 1985 and 1986 . Ravi was part of the Petersons Sports Club, where he captained and coached the side.
His wife Raptia product of Kandy Convent was also a top sports woman, and Daughter Rashmira a doctor who too was good in sports and son Rahaal played rugby for Trinity College under 15 in 2005, under 17 in 2006/7 and senior side in 2008 and 2009.
His father Wilson Balasuriya gave a big hand for Kandy Lake club and Kandy RFC rugby.
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