Former Trinitian Udaya Balasuriya elected as Kandy SC President

By Shamseer Jaleel

Former Trinitian Udaya Balasuriya was elected as the President of the Kandy Sports Club at its 140th Annual General Meeting (AGM) which took place at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium auditorium yesterday. 

The club, which was formed in 1874, started its winning ways in 1992. Over the last 23 years, it has recorded 17 League Titles and 19 Clifford Cup titles under its belt.

Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte who became the President in 1990 ended his term after holding a record 20 long years as the President of the club.

Trustee, rugby promoter Malik Samarawickrema told the Daily FT: “We are thankful to the sponsors Cargills (Platinum Sponsors), Singer Sri Lanka and Etisalat for their continued support and for staying with the club during difficult times. This year we won two trophies, the League and Clifford Cup.”

Samarawickrema thanked all the players for putting up a brave effort despite difficult times on and off the field to achieve victory. He concluded with advice to the players: “Keep discipline at top level on and off the field, enjoy the game and be good citizens.”

Two stands were opened for Sean Wijesinghe and Lasantha Wijesuriya for their excellent contribution to Kandy SC with Lasantha also receiving Life Membership at the club

Leading players Sayuru Anthony (Navy SC), Srinarth Sooriyabandara (Navy SC), Vishwamithra Jayasinghe (CR&FC), Shehan Pathirana (Havelocks SC) and Anurudha Karunthilake (Army SC) will be joining the up country team under the evergreen Fazil Marija who will lead the Kandy outfit this year. Kandy is very likely to field two teams for the club sevens which will take place at the end of this month in Colombo.

Johan Taylor will be their consultant and he will be in Kandy by November this year. The team will work under former skipper Sean Wijesinghe who will take charge of the coaching with support coming his way from Saliya Kumara and Nalaka Weerakody. 

The club is very likely to retain its two overseas players Chris Colette (South Africa) and Oscar Ouma (Kenya) for the 2015/2016 rugby season.

The following were elected as office bearers at Kandy SC for 2015/2016:

Patron/Trustee –Dr. Saratha Kapuwatte

Trustees – Malik Samarawickrama and Hemaka Amarasuriya

President – Udaya Balasuriya

Senior Vice President – Mahesh Weerasinghe

Vice Presidents – Nihal Ratwatte and Hafiz Marrikar

Secretary – Channa Jayathilake

Treasurer – Anizal Laphir

Pavilion Secretary – Anurudha Ranasinghe

Social Secretary – Sujeewa Liyanage

Bar Secretary – Janaka Pathirana

Ground Secretary – Arafath Abdeen

Rugby Chairman – Lasantha Wijesuriya

Team Manager – Kapila Silva

Rugby Convenor – M. Jamaldeen

Committee – Milroy Mendis, Lesile De Zoysa, Rohan Daulagala, Dhammika Swarnasinghe, Shamzeer Jaleel, Anton Nannayakkara, Upali Silva, Jehan Sirimanne, Mohamed Jiffry.