Sri Lanka tipped to retain ARC Division 1

By Shamzeer Jaleel

Sri Lanka rugby outfit led by former Thomians and Havies player and current Sri Lanka Sevens skipper, Sudharshan Muthuthanthri left for  Malaysia last night in order to defend their Asian Rugby Championship (ARC) Division I title which they last won in Philippines. 

Muthuthanthri, a great leader being awarded with the national jersey in 2012 has represented the Park Club since leaving his school. He represented the Thomians in 2008-2010. He led the Park Club in 2013 when they finished runner-up in the league. 

The eight uncapped players making up the 25-member Sri Lanka rugby squad will take part in the ARC which will take place from 8-14 May.The uncapped players are hooker, Prasath Madusanka (Havies), winger Kavindu Perera (CR & FC), flanker Niwanka Prasad (Navy), full back Kevin Dixon (Havies), centre Banuka Nanayakkara (CR & FC), number eight Omalka Gunaratne (Navy), winger Danushka Dayan (Kandy SC), and second row Janik Jayasuriya (Havies)

Sri Lanka will miss the service of their regular skipper, Fazil Marija due to his slipped- disk injury. But he will be part of the three quarter coaching line-up supporting the head Coach Johan Taylor. Also missing due to injury are Nigel Ratwatte, Kavindu De Costa, Shehan Pathirana, Richard Dharmapala, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Gayan Weeraratne and Vishvamithra Jayasinghe.