Sri Lankan rugby fraternity and the Police Rugby are deeply saddened by the loss of rugby legend Hettiarachchige Premasiri last night in Rome, Italy. He is a product of Dharmaduta College, Badulla who excelled in athletics and soccer.
Premasiri’s rugby talent was spotted at the Police Inter Division Sevens tournament in 1976 whilst he was under training representing the Sri Lanka Police College, Kalutara. He later moulded himself to be a deceptive centre and later as a cracking winger. Premasiri was very quick to accelerate off his feet and was one of the leading try scorers for many seasons.
His match winning four back to back tries all covering an average of at least 50 meters in the second half against Air Force in 1985 is considered his best ever performance with that formidable side. He was rewarded instantly by the then Late IGP H.W.H. Weerasinghe.
Premasiri represented Police SC for 12 years (1976-87) and had the distinction of leading the side in 1986 to become unbeaten league champions of the "Gold Leaf" trophy. He toured with the national team to Hong Kong Sevens, the Far East (Hong Kong & Taiwan) in 1985 and also Bangkok Asiad in 1986 under national skipper and teammate, Rohan Gunaratne, the present Executive Director of Sri Lanka Rugby.
Sri Lankan rugby lovers will truly miss a dear and humble friend. Police rugby and the entire Sri Lankan rugby fraternity join to extend their deepest condolences to his beloved wife Kanthi, daughter and son.
"May he Attain Nibbana"
There is 1 Comment
Rugby
Add new comment