Vidyartha College, Kandy have produced some top rugby players in the recent past. This school was founded in 1942 and started their sports with football and hockey.
It was in 1960’s that rugby was introduced to Vidyartha and thereafter, Kandy SC helped them to find their feet by permitting the use of their grounds at Nittawela.
Vidyartha have not only come out with top teams, they have also produced top rugby players.
One of the first in the rugby field to hit the top was T. B. Wijesinghe, who soon after his school career played for Kandy Lake Club. From there, he was invited to play for the CR and FC and became the first from this school to play for the country followed by George Jayasena, who later played for Uva Gymkhana Club, Kandy SC, Upcountry and Sri Lanka.
In addition, Edwin Gunarathne played for Air Force SC, Defence Services, CR and FC and Sri Lanka. They were the top class players in the early years.
Later, Sunil Serasinghe played for Air Force SC, Defence Services, Kandy Lake Club, Kandy SC, Uva Gymkhana Club, Upcountry and the Sri Lanka President’s XV.
The other famous player was Charles Wijewardene, who first played for Air Force SC after school and later for Police SC, CR and FC, Kandy SC, Upcountry and Sri Lanka.
Some of the others who played top rugby were Z. M. Zarook, R. M. Lafir, Sunil Perera, Sunil Munasinghe, Gamage Ariyarathne, Lakshman Samarawijeya, D. G. Dayarathne, G. Chandra, M. Rizvi, Nimal Malagamuwa, Athula Manchanayake, Anil Jayasinghe, Kumar Meeriyagala, Sumedha Malewana, Dila Ekanayake, Danushka Pushpakumara, Saliya Kumara, Jayson Dissanayake, Chanaka Chandimal, Charith Senevirathne, Kavinu Perera and Ashan Bandara.
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