Eager to continue work on rugby in Central Province: CPRFU Secy.

WR Level 1 program at Nittawela

By Shamseer Jaleel

Pradeep Basnayake

Kavinda Jayasena will be the Secretary in tandem

Manjula Samarakoon

“We are waiting for the kick-off of the oval shaped ball game in the country. We want to continue the good work in the Central Province,” said Central Province Rugby Football Union (CPRFU) Secretary Kavinda Jayasena, the former Trinity, Havies and national player. “We completed World Rugby (Level 1) Match officiating course which was well attended with 17 numbers including girls showing interest for this program.” 

Kavinda continued and said: “Mothilal Jayathilake conducted a session in Strength and Condition,” this too saw more than 10 participants during this period.

Speaking to Daily FT, Kavinda Jayasena said: “We initiated many rugby programs during this period. Handing over of rugby balls, development programs to lesser known schools in the Central region plus all arrangements were made to conduct the Central Province Under-19 Sevens and XV-a-side events but due to COVID we could not conduct these events. 

“We planned to have the Central Province vs Western Province Under-19 rugby event to select the national squad for the Asia Rugby Under-19 event but that too did not take place due to the COVID pandemic around the globe. 

“This event was to take place in Taipei and the trials to select the touring squad usually takes place in Kandy and Colombo. 

We are all out to give a helping hand to one of the oldest rugby event in the country the Plantation Sevens. This is programmed to take place during August.” The CPRFU and its current committee were re-appointed at their virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) which took place on 16 May. This virtual event took place due to the prevailing pandemic situation in the country.

CPRFU President, former Trinity, Kandy SC and national rugby skipper Pradeep Basnayke along with Secretary Kavinda and Vice President and former Ananda ruggerite Manjula Samarakoon and the entire committee will continue for one more year. With Central Province is the only other province than Western Province to play in the ‘A’ division rugby more programs are lined up to take place soon after the pandemic comes under control. 

CPRFU Committee for 2021/2022

• Patron – Mohan Samarakoon, Viper (Snr) Gunaratne, Viper (Jnr) Gunaratne
• President – Pradeep Basnayake
• Vice President – Manjula Samarakoon
• Secretary – Kavinda Jayasena
• Treasurer – Rifaz Rafeek
• Committee – Sarath Ranaweera, Suranga Dela, Thusitha de Silva, Milroy Mendis, Dr. Charnu de Silva, Y.M.S. Ratnayake, Anil Jayasinghe, Sarath Madugalle and Anuja Mallawarachchi     

CPRFU President Pradeep Basnayake and Secretary Kavinda Jayasena handing over rugby balls

Strength and Condition program by CPRFU