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.