Dharamaraja College have started rugger training with the help of the new principal Kamal Ariyasinghe. They are getting prepared for the Under 19 Interschool rugby Sevens Tournament organized by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association. It will lay the foundation for the Central Provience schools sevens tournament. According to news there are 38 players in the squad. The squad is trained by old Pathanian Lasintha De Costa (Head coach), who was a Sri Lanka side 7’s and 15 a side player form 2007 to 2014 and the forwards coach is a product of Vidyartha College Buddhika Abeyasinghe, who played for Sri Lanka schools, Kandy SCAIR Force and was invoked with coaching with Trinity College from 2019. Now he is with the Rajans. Thusitha Udayasiri is the MIC. The Old Rajans Rugby Football Association headed by Chaminda Yapa, Sameera Pinnaduwa (Vice President), Malinga Godigamuwa (Secretary), Kosala Herath (Asst. Secretary ) Sanjeewa Hulangamuwa (Treasurer) Tharindu Rathnayake (Team manager). Technical committee- Indika Udayakumara, Chaminda Yapa, Randika Hettiarachchi, Sudeera De Silva and Tharindu Rathnayake, Ashvin Kalinga PR, Branding and Media Coordinator are giving their best support.
Dharmaraja College is doing well in rugby and has produced top teams and players. It was in 1970 that Rajans’ first formed a rugger team. They had played the game in 1920’s and later gave up. In the start friendly games were played under the captaincy of Gamini Jayasundara and the team was coached by his brother Ananda Jayasundara who learnt his rugby at the University.
In 1971 they played five friendly matches under the captaincy of Rohan Eakanayaka, in 1972 under Gamini Thomas and 1973- Upali Mayadunne In 1974 they presented the official team and this team was captained by Upul Thalagoda and coached by Lanil Tenakoon, since then they have been in a good footing in rugby. Rajans have produced some top players, there are some who did well in the game without playing for the school that is Col. C.S. Fernando, the first to play for the Army, Defence services and Sri Lanka and also was a fine referee. Then Shanthi U Mendis first played for University of Peradeniya, Air Force and Sri Lanka, Daya Jayasundara started with Kandy SC and later for Police and Sri Lanka he too was a top referee and a excellent coach. Murga Jayarthne played for Police.
After the game was introduced players like Gamini Thomas, Hemantah Yatawara, Ajantha Samarakoon, Cuda Nugawella, Melroy Mendis, Indragith Bandaranayake, Tilak Jayasundara, A. Dayasiri, G. Jayaweera, A. Fernando, D.M.N.R.Dharmasiri, Supun Thalagoda, Ruwan Mallawarchchi, Chandima Amadoru, Anura Kulatunga, A. Kalinga, Chinthaka Wijasuriya, Pradeep Aliws, Prasad Alwis, M. Jayasekara, Manjula Rathnayake, S.S. Kalupe, U.P. Gunarthne, S. Hapugoda, J.B. Samarasinghe, Sumedha Jayaisnghe, Manjula Mallawarchchi, Indika Zoysa, Udaya Yatawara, Upul Thalagoda, Shehan Wijewardene, Radika Hettiarchchi, Ravindra Wekadapola, Saranath Hettiarachchi, Nuwan Hettiarachchi, Sajith Sekkahandi, Gyan Hettiarchchi, Dhamika Waduge, Manjula Kotawahe, Shasika Dharmarthne, Manjula Dissanayake, Shashika Udayakumara, Sampath Kumara, Shanka Waduge, Buwaneka Udangamuwa and Thilian Wijesinghe excelled for Rajans.
One of the best season they enjoyed was in 2013, under Rochana Hettiarchchi won the schools league title for the first time.
That winning team had players like Pasana Bandra, Dulaksha Weerakoon, Charinda Kalinga, Gihan Jayasinghe, Dulantha Hettiarchchi, Vihanga Nawalage, Hasmitha Karunatilake, Amil Weerakoon, Thilkina sampath, Janaka Wijesinghe, Lochana Fernando, Ishnaka Wimalsuriya, Hashan Pilapitiya, Rochana Hettiarchhci (Capt), Bhuvaneka Udangamuwa, Dilantha Madushanka, Lahiru Hettirachchige, Pradeep Tharindu, Manushka Kumara, Viraj Weerasekara, Thilina Wijesinghe. The side was coached by Radika Hettiarchchi and they ended season with seven wins and two draws, in the previous year 2012 the side was coached by Isham Abdeen.
The Rajans rugby past and present should be thankful to “ORRFA”, which gives them a big hand and also the Old Boys Assocation and the branches overseas too give a big support.
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