Bassa only double international to complete World Rugby level II

 Pradeep Basnayake

By Shamseer Jaleel

Former Trinity ‘Lion,’ Kandy SC, Sri Lanka skipper and double international (rugby football and basketball) Pradeep Basnayake completed his World Rugby level II course last week. Basnayake becomes the first Sri Lankan double international to complete the course in the country.

Bassa who played for Trinity in 1994/95 winning his rugby ‘Lion’ and basketball colors in the same year. He went on to represent the champion Kandy SC for a record 10 long years. During this time he was an automatic choice for the national XV rugby side leading the outfit in 2003/2004.

Bassa started his coaching stint at Trinity in 2008 being in charge of the Under 20 outfit and later on taking charge of the Under 18 side along with Thushitha De Silva. Bassa who was a good all-rounder was a rugby national selector as well in 2010/2011.

Radhika Hettiarachchi and Thishitha De Silva too have completed this level II course.