Sports
Yoshitha survived the knocks in rugby
Retires from the game this Saturday
By a Special Sports Correspondent
Former Thomian, Sri Lanka, and present Navy Sports Club player Yoshitha Rajapaksa expects to bring the curtain down on his rugby career after he plays his final match on April 2 (Saturday) at Longden Place.
Yoshitha’s decision to quit playing the game was confirmed by Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) sources. Hence he will be seen wearing the Navy jersey for the last time in this game where the ‘Sailors’ take on CR&FC.
He had his education at the school by the sea–S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia-so it was probably by choice and not coincidence that he chose to represent the ‘seagoing force’ when he decided to continue his rugby career after leaving school. He cut his teeth in the game at S.Thomas’ and even captained the school at First XV rugby; an achievement very few have achieved and all those who did are proud of.
But club rugby was a much more difficult experience for him. The transition from school rugby to club rugby overnight is unthinkable for even the greatest schoolboy rugby players. Yoshitha was no great player, but he had a large heart to continue rugby. With survival skills and just by hanging on there he got accustomed to senior rugby and eventually made it to the national pool. He played in his pet position as a flanker forward.
Before Yoshitha his brother Namal and later the younger sibling Rohitha being involved in the game coupled by their father Mahinda Rajapaksa being the president of the country made rugby the much talked about sport in the island. Rugby eventually became the ‘royal sport’ in the country. Those who would have been mere spectators took prominent roles in rugby administration and coaching during the time the Rajapaksas were at the peak of their careers.
But many good things also happened to the game during their time. There was a tussle for the national captaincy at one time when Yoshitha was just a ‘babe’ in the game. But when the time came for Yoshitha to captain we saw the players gelling together with him and there was hardly any internal conflicts within the national side.
The highlights of his career were that Sri Lanka, under his captaincy, became runners-up at the Asian Five Nations in Division 1 in 2012 and eventually won it the following year (2013). He also led the national side to win the Bowl Championship at the 2011 Borneo Sevens. He was a member of the Sri Lanka side that contested the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland.
Despite a pretty ‘decent’ career in rugby Yoshitha’s life was punctuated with legal issues. He had to face legal investigations regarding financial discrepancies associated with Carlton Sports Network. His name featured prominently in the investigations carried into the murder case of star rugby player Wasim Thajudeen. But Yoshitha surfaced from the bottom of all this turmoil; probably showing everyone that rugby had molded him into an individual who can weather any storm in life.
Apart from his involvement in rugby this second son in the Rajapaksa family also shone in the sport of shooting; winning the President’s medal for standard division at the 2012 National Handgun Championships conducted by the National Raffle Association of Sri Lanka. Despite the focus now being on Yoshitha it was Namal who outshone the two other siblings at rugby when the family got involved in the game. Namal played his best rugby at school and even captained the under 20 national side. He too represented Sri Lanka as a hooker and was a prominent member of the Navy Sports Club side in division 1 rugby.
The 34-year-old Yoshitha carries much experience as a player and a citizen of the country. He served the Sri Lanka Navy in the capacity of Lieutenant Commander and at present is the current Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, his father. In 2019 Yoshitha tied the knot with Nitheesha Jayasekara. We really don’t know what he plans to do after hanging up his boots. But sources close to him opine that Yoshitha would most likely be connected to rugby in some form of an administrative role. For the record, his elder brother Namal is the present Sports Minister of the country and his younger brother Rohitha represents CH&FC in Division 1 rugby.
It’s remarkable to have had a career spanning 15 years in rugby at present because modern rugby is so demanding and physical. Given the punishing routine, club rugby players have to endure they hardly last more than a couple of seasons before hanging up their boots. Yoshitha taught us to hang in there when the chips were down. He continued to play rugby when his dad lost the election and was relegated to the opposition. At present, he is playing under Adeesha Weeratunga, who is leading Navy Sports Club. Yoshitha could have a smile on his face because when he is about to retire he is seeing his brother, Rohitha, lifting his game and inspiring the team that he (Rohitha) represents: CH&FC. Any brother would love to see the family baton being handed over to a capable person and Yoshitha has found one.
Yoshitha is sure to take great memories home after he retires from the game. His critics might have much to say. But he reminded everyone that the career is short for those who play high-risk rugby. He played the game in a manner that underscores the message that there is much to cherish and more staying power when one plays the game putting safety first.
91st Battle of the Saints
St. Joseph’s hold the edge when they meet arch rivals St. Peter’s in the 91st Battle of the Saints’ big match starting today. After having beaten Petes by nine wickets in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ quarter-final at Polonnaruwa the Joes arive at the SSC ground to prove that the victory registered two months ago was not a fluke.
St. Joseph’s captained by wicketkeeper batsman Kenath Liyanage are concluding a successful season after having remained unbeaten until they were eliminated in the semi-final by St. Sebastian’s .
A strong batting lineup and a dynamic spin department are making them a formidable outfit.
Experienced campaigner Yenula Dewthusa and Demion de Silva with their left-arm spin and Aveesha Samash and Nushan Perera with off spin provide the Joes variety in the spin department. Dewthusa, Demion de Silva and Nushan Perera are their leading wicket takers. Spinners doing well at schools matches have not been effective at the SSC during the last few big matches. It will be interesting to watch as to how the spinners in these two teams would fare during the three days.
For pace the Joes will look to Maanasa Madubashana and Dunick Perera who are expected to share the new ball.
Abishek Jayaweera and Aveesha Samash will open batting, while Senuja Wakunugoda, skipper Liyanage, Dewthusa and Rishma Amarasinghe form the rest of the top order batting lineup.
St. Joseph’s registered three outright victories this season (beat St. Servatius’, St. Benedict’s and St. Peter’s) and remained unbeaten.
St. Peter’s under Oween Salgado’s captaincy did well to reach the business end of the Tier ‘A’ tournament. But the Petes were uncertain of Salgado’s participation in the big match as they were yet to assess his fitness yesterday morning. He was wounded during a match and the stitched wound had not fully healed according to team sources.
Petes beat Gurukula, St. Aloysius’ and Holy Cross this season. Their only defeat was at the hands of their arch rivals. They will look forward to avenge the defeat at the big match.
The Petes will rely on the likes of Dilana Damsara, Thareen Sanketh, Nathan David and Jason Fernando to take a greater share of batting responsibilities. The middle order batsman Sanketh is their leading batsman and has maintained an average of over 50 runs.
Speedsters Ethan Ransilige and Joshua Sebastian will share new ball duties for the Petes.
Lashmika Perera and Sanketh will share most of the slow ball duties.
St Peter’s are in the possession of the coveted Rev. Fr. Maurice J. Le Goc Trophy having last won the big match under the captaincy of Vinu Mohotty in 2016.
St. Joseph’s lead the series tally 12-10. They last won under Ruwantha Fernandopulle’s captaincy in 2008.
St. Peter’s College Team
(Seated from left) Harsha Prabath Perera (Asst. Physio/Trainer & Massuer), Thushara Maduhanka (1st XI Asst. Coach),
Nalin Wijesinghe (Head Coach), Priyadarshana Cooray (MIC – Senior & Junior), Oween Salgado (Captain), Rev. Fr.
Rohitha Rodrigo (Rector), Rev. Fr. Praveen Wijesekara (Priest in Charge – Cricket), Lashmika Perera
(Vice Captain), Dilana Damsara, Rohan Fernando (MIC – 2nd XI), Dinuka D. Godakanda (2nd XI Coach).
(Standing 1st row from left) Dinsara Rathnaweera, Dineth de Silva, Tharin Senvidu, Nathan David, Hiruka Silva, Thareen
Sanketh, Virul Amarapala, Yatheendra Jayaweera, Salith Gallage, Raphael Hettige. (Standing 2nd row from left) Jason Fernando,
Joshua Sebastian, Savi Fernnado, Ethan Ransilige, Asadisa De Silva, Sadeesha Kariyawasam, Enosh Peterson
by Reemus Fernando
120th Lovers’ Quarrel
The stakeholders of the Lovers’ Quarrel Big Match were still pursuing to make the historic 120th edition a reality on the eve of the match after Richmond authorities threatened to pull out citing that Mahinda had violated an accepted norm by included a newly recruited player in the big match team.
The historic edition was scheduled to commence as a three day encounter at the Galle International Stadium today. But the match remained doubtful at the time this edition went to press. The officials of both teams were unavailable for comments on the eve of the match. According to sources close to the two teams the joint big match committee was scheduled to meet in the evening yesterday to take a final decision regarding the match.
Richmond threatened to pull out after Mahinda included Charya Paranavithana in their big match team. Paranavithana captained St. Aloysius’ this season. He is not eligible to play matches that come under the purview of Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association as he is yet to be registered as a Mahinda player. Big Matches are not played according to SLSCA rules but Richmond authorities had raised concerns over the player registration citing that the two schools had honoured the norm even at the big match.
According to sources Richmond were threatening to pull out if Paranavithana’s name was included in the playing XI on the match day morning.
Mahinda concluded a highly successful season as the team captained by Kaveen Rukshan earned the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ promotion this year. They were also the joint champions of the Tier ‘B’ tournament with Thurstan. In contrast former Division I champions Richmond had to fight relegation scares. The team captained by Thamindu Pradeeptha later successfully retained their Tier A position by recording an outright victory.
Mahinda College Team
Seated left to right: T.D. Ajantha Kumara (Head Coach), Y. Nishantha Kumara (Master in Charge – Senior), L. P. Weeraman (Deputy Principal –
Sports), Kaveen Rukshan (Captain), Mr. Janaka Peduruheva (Principal), Arosha Udayanga (Vice Captain), Mr. M.W. Ajith (Prefect of Games), Mr.
Jagath Samarakoon (Master in charge – Junior), Mr. Sachith Lakmal (Asst. Coach)
Standing (Middle row) – left to right – Dineth Pahasara, Thiyon Helika, Vinupa Nethmira, Sahanjith Irugalbandara, Dulisth Darshana, Senuka
Dangamuwa, Sadew Nethmina, Manitha Rajapaksha, Vishmitha Sathsara, Charya Paranavithana, Randula Mabarana
Standing (Back row) – left to right – Sajeew Punsara, Sehas Ashinsa, Kaveesha Githmal, Thevindu Rashmika
by Reemus Fernando
CR & FC huffed and puffed before beating Havelocks Sports Club 25-24 in a keenly contested Clifford Cup semi final game worked off in Colombo yesterday before booking their berth in Sunday’s rugby final, scheduled to take place in Kandy.
In Sunday’s final, CR will meet Kandy SC, the winner of the first semi final.
CR dominated the first half, but Havies came from behind in the second half to be in contention of pulling the game off till the last minute. Havelocks’ chances were boosted with two powerful tries coming from Chathura Dilshan late in the second half. But unpardonable mistakes by the men in the pink and chocolate jerseys helped CR to slip away with the game. Havelocks gave away two yellow cards during extra time in the second half.
The winners collected their points through three tries, two conversions and two penalties while Havelocks responded with three converted tries and a penalty. The winners led 15-10 at half time. Referee Raveen Alexander controlled the game.
By A Special Sports Correspondent
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