Saliya Kumara’s contribution for Vidyartha College, Trinity College and Kandy Sports Club rugby should be weighed in gold.
He Started playing rugby at Vidyartha College from under 13 and led the under 13, 15 ,17 and played for the senior side in 2002 and in 2003 he crossed over to Trinity College, and at both schools he played as full back and was arguably a top place-kicker. His boot has overseen victories and also showed to be agile and speedy when playing in the line.
At Vidyartha he was coached by Robert Navaratne, Priyantha Gunaratne and M. Fazal. He was a good player and gave of his best for Vidyartha College. He can be rated a one of the best Vidyartha College ruggerites of the era.
After coming toTrinity, he was a key figure in the side playing as a full back and he was also excellent in goal kicking and won colours and was awarded the best ruggerite trophy.
Straight from school he joined Havelock SC and played for two seasons, 2004 and 2005. He played as full back and did yeomen service to the club. With his knowledge and good goal kicking the park club were able to win matches, which was a great support for the park club.
Then in 2006 he changed clubs and played for CH & FC. There too he played as full back, and gave his best. That year he was picked to play for Sri Lanka in the Sevens and XV side.
Then in 2007 he came back to the town where he learnt the game and joined Kandy Sports Club where he was able to polish his rugby and his career took a new turn since he joined the Nittawela club.
After coming to Kandy, he switched position form full back to scrum half. In this position too he shone and led the side in 2012. Saliya was an experienced player who was very good in attack and defence and also good in goal kicking.
He also coached the two schools for which he played Vidyartha College, Trinity College and also helped Kandy SC in coaching and got a break to coach the Sri Lanka women’s team.
He is a qualified World Rugby Educator and Level II IRB Coach and Level I Strength and Conditioner. He hung up his boots in the year 2015 and became a Coach.
Some of his other achievements were that he was adjudged the Best Player at the Carlton Sevens played in Galle and Race Course in 2014 This was a repeat of what he achieved in 2013 in Nuwara Eliya He also captained Jaffna Challengers in 2014.
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