C. S. Ekanayake fine ruggerite, athlete and football player-by Hafiz Marikar

Source:Dailynews

C.S. Ekanayake is a player who left an indelible mark with his deeds on the rugby field He is a product of Dharmaraja College who attended this school after winning the Grade 5 scholarship from 1974 to 1982. during the principal ship of A P Gunaratne.

His pet game was rugby, and represented the school senior team from 1980 – 1982, and led the side in the last year. He won Colours in 1981 and re-awarded in 1982 and also won the Dagoba (the highest award for sports) in 1982. He was coached by late Deepal De Zoyza, Lanil Tennakoon and Irvin HowIe, after leaving school he represented Kandy Sports Club from 1983 – 1991 and gave his best as a second row forward and a good tackler. He played for Up country rugby team in 1985.

He was the Vice captain of Kandy Sports Club team in the year 1987 and led the side in 1988. He was in the national pool in the years 1987 and 1988 and represented the Sri Lanka Presidents XV rugby team in 1989. He played rugby for many years and was a solid line out jumper; . At Kandy SC he was supported by people like E.W. Balasuriya, Dr.. C.D.L. Fernando, Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte,Col. Allen Nugawela, Sarath de Zoysa and the writer.

He Followed a Rugby Coaching course in Scotland in 1994 at Edinburgh Herriot Watt University., then the Level 2 rugby coaching in Wales in 1996 and Rugby Coaching course in Scotland in 2009.

He was also a Committee Member of Kandy Sports Club from1994 to 1997. and secretary of the Central Province Rugby Football Union in 1998. In 1999 was the team manager of the Up-Country team which toured India. He was also the Vice President of Old Rajans’ Rugby Football Association in 2001.

He coached Dharmaraja College Rugby team from 1996 to 2002, in which year the team toured Bangkok. He coached his school Dharmaraja College from 1996 to 2002.

In football he represented the school, and played for under 14, 15, 17, 19 and 20 teams from 1976. He led the side in the under 19 and his side became runner-up in 1982 and in 1981 won colours and the Dagoba in 1982(the highest award for sports). He was coached by top people like G.SPiyatissa, H.A Weerasinghe. Gamini Ranasinghe and .A.C.S Jambugahawatta was the Master in Charge

He was also a top athlete, represented the school at Public School and District Meets held from 1976 to 1982 and made a mark in high jump and hurdles. He led Gemunu house in 1981, and was the school Athletics vice Captain in 1981. He won Colours in 1981 and 1982.