Iswan and Harris Omar the only father and son who led Kandy Sports Club-By Hafiz Marikar Source:Dailynews In the history of Kandy Sports Club rugby, late Iswan Omar and Harris Omar are the only father and son duo who led the Nittawela club at rugby. Both hail from a sporting family. Iswans father A.H.K. Omar was a fine cricketer and led St. Anthonys College in 1928 and later played for Kandy Sports Club and Central Province. He was a fine all-rounder, a medium pace bowler and a hard-hitting batsman. He was also a superb cover point fielder. Iswan started his rugby at Trinity College under the guidance of Hilary Abeyratne and first played for the under 15 side as a prop forward and as a second-row forward for the under 17. He then played till 1969 for the senior team. For the senior side he started off as a ˜prop ...

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The Invincible 1967 Trinity ‘Lions’ began without a coach By Shamzeer Jaleel Source:Sundaytimes Trinity College one of the core schools to produce some outstanding rugby players for both the Kandy school and country had some outstanding outfits. A few of them were the 56, 67, 69, 77 and 87 outfits. But in the recent past they have lost the grip which made them fall down the ladder for many reasons. The invincible 1967 outfit was led by Ajith Abeyratne where they ended unbeaten in the season. Abeyratne represented his alma mater both in cricket and rugby scoring the fastest century between Trinity and Royal in only 62 balls at the Asgiriya Stadium in his last year. He led the Trinity College rugby teams in 1967 and 1968 and won colours in cricket and Lion in rugby as well. He was awarded the Ryde Gold Medal for the best student at ...

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Former rugby star Maurice dies in Australia-by Hafiz Marikar Maurice de Silva Source:Dailynews Maurice de Silva, the former top class rugby player, coach and administrator died in Brisbane early morning on Thursday, at the age of 83.He was surrounded by his family and showered with their love as he breathed his last He suffered a massive stroke on Wednesday and died in hospital Maurice as he was popularly known was widely regarded as one of the greatest centres in the history of Sri Lanka rugby. He learnt his rugby at St. Peter’s College and later played for Havelock SC, Kandy Lake Club and Sri Lanka. He had natural talent. His coaches were amazed at his ability. ...

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Gamini Udugama was a versatile ruggerite-By Hafiz Marikar Source:Dailynews Kandy born Gamini Udugama began his career in rugby at Trinity College; He first represented the school when he was 19 years old and played as a number eight forward for over 15 years. He was a player considered by many as one of the top class third row forwards. and was- 5ft – 11 inches tall, He had the height, strength, and skill to dominate in line-outs and loose play. Gamini’s brothers were also top ruggerites. The eldest Mohan Udugama a top sportsman never played for the school, but played for Dimbula and Dickoya. Saliya Udugama stood out for Trinity College, Army, Defence Services and Sri Lanka and the other brother Athula Udugama played for Kandy SC. ...

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Rajan Supun Thalagoda was a fine ruggerite-by Hafiz Marikar Supun Thalagoda Source:Dailynews Supun Thalagoda began his rugby journey at Dharmaraja College aged twelve, first played for the under 15and 17 teams. This scrum half also played in 1978 for 1st XV under late Thilak Jayasundara’s, then in 1978 and 1979 under Milroy Mendis Leadership and 1980 under Hemantha Yatawara. As a player he gave his best for the game of rugby and captained the Dharrmaraja College team in’1981 and was able to win colours and also was the winner of the highest award of the school Dagoba. He was a natural leader on the field and a classy scrum-half who excelled with his passing game, while his kicking has been vital too. ...

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Alex Lazarus resurrected many a team in Kandy-BY HAFIZ MARIKAR Alex Lazarus Source:Sundayobserver Kandy’s sporting fraternity paused for a moment on October 30 to remember Alex Lazarus for his good work in the rugby field. At the time of his death he was the Director of Sports at Trinity College after serving as the senior boarding house master. It was under his coaching in 1987 and captaincy of Tyrell Rajapakse that Trinity College last won the school League championship. He died at the age of 71 on October 26 and was buried on October 30 two years ago. Lazarus hailed from the famous Lazarus family and was a well known personality in the rugby field. ...

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Rugby star Mohan Sahayam also shone as a cricketer and athlete at Trinity-by Althaf Nawaz Mohan Sahayam Source:Dailynews One of the prominent schools in , Kandy is Trinity College. It has a distinguished history in unearthing several personalities, who reached the pinnacle not only in the field of education but also in sports, who glittered like gems, especially in rugby and cricket and hit the top. Mohan Sahayam was one of them who brought great honour to the school and country handling the oval shaped ball.   Mohan Sahayam’s father was G.A.Y.Sahayam a leading Maths teacher in that era who served for a long time at Trinity College later retired as Vice Principal. Elsie was his mother who was a housewife. He was born to a family of five with three boys and two girls. His elder brother, Baskaran who is in his 90’s is the oldest living hockey Lion from ...

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