Coaching staff appointed for Asia Rugby Top 4 qualifier

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sports Director General Dr. Shemal Perera has appointed the coaching panel for the upcoming encounter against Malaysia in the Asia Rugby Top 4 qualification match which will take place at the Race Course ground on 19 April. 

The winner of this one-off encounter will play alongside Hong Kong, South Korea and UAE in AR Top 4 for 2025. 

While Head Coach Martis takes over CR, Head Coach Dushanth Lewke will be continuing as Forwards Coach, and Saliya Kumara stepping in as the Three-Quarters Coach. Saliya takes over from Nilfer Ibrahim who had a mixed season with the Cops. Tharaka Algama, a former Trinity College standout, has been appointed as the Team Trainer. Martis, Lewke and Nilfer teamed up to guide the national outfit last year with wins over India and Kazakhstan to secure AR Division 1 championship.

Sanath Martis commenced his national coaching journey as an Assistant Coach in 2003 under the guidance of George Simpkin and C P P Abeygunawardena for the Sri Lanka Under-20 team, a role he held until 2004. 

Martis who played for Isipathana and CR, took over as the Sri Lanka Under-20 Head Coach from 2006 to 2012, guiding the young talents of the country with remarkable success. In 2013, he served as Assistant Coach for the senior national team under Phil Greening.

At school level, he was the Royal College Head Coach from 2014 to 2017, before taking over the reins at St. Peter’s College in 2018, where he continues to shape the next generation of Sri Lankan rugby stars with a number of trophies.

Former Sri Lanka International, Saliya Kumara who is the three quarter coach, talented backline player in his time, Saliya represented Sri Lanka in both XVs and Sevens from 2006 to 2014, after making his mark in junior national teams in 2002. His vast playing experience at Vidyartha College, Trinity College, and top-tier clubs such as Havelocks SC, CH and FC, and Kandy SC.

Saliya has coached Vidyartha College, Trinity College, Isipathana College, and currently with St. Anthony’s College, achieving multiple league and knockout championships. 

At club level, he led Navy SC and Havelocks SC, steering them to finals appearances in knockout and league tournaments. His experience with the Sri Lanka Women’s Sevens team from 2018 to 2022 further strengthens his credentials. He played for the national team both in sevens and fifteens.

Dushanth Lewke, a former Sri Lanka captain continues as the Forwards Coach. Lewke has been instrumental in shaping strong forward packs at both school and club levels. Since 2018, he has been the Royal College Head Coach, leading them to two league titles and multiple Bradby Shield victories. Lewke played for Royal, CR and Kandy SC. He also played club rugby in NZ and went to represent the national team both in sevens and fifteens. He also led the national outfit.

At the club level, Lewke has been the Head Coach of CR and FC since 2019, guiding them to an unbeaten league championship in 2024 and a Clifford Cup triumph in 2023. His national coaching experience includes roles as Sri Lanka Under-19 Head Coach in 2018, Assistant Coach for the senior national team in 2024, and Head Coach of the Sevens squad at the Asian Games.

The final addition to the coaching staff is Tharaka Algama, who steps in as the Team’s Trainer. A former Trinitian Algama brings in his expertise in conditioning and fitness, crucial for Sri Lanka’s preparation for the physical challenge against Malaysia. 

Tharaka has been with Trinity College rugby outfit for the last 4 years looking after the fitness of the boys along with the champion Kandy Sports Club where he operates in the similar role for more than a decade. He also worked with Isipathana rugby outfit.

The winner of this vital encounter on 19 April will face South Korea and UAE at home while the Hong Kong encounter will be away.