Reshan Bandaranayake played school rugby as a full back for his alma mater Trinity College, Kandy. He captained Trinity 1st XV rugby team in 2019 at the Inter-School rugby tournament and went on to represent the Sri Lanka Junior national fifteen a side team. He received the prestigious Trinity Award of “Rugby Lion”.
Reshan is the second son of famous Trinity rugby player cum rugby lion Rajeeva Bandaranayake and also has two brothers in Rashen Bandaranayake (Played 1St XV) and Rushen (Playing Junior rugby) for Trinity College Kandy.. Speaking exclusively to Daily News, Reshan said “I come from a sporting family and we are all out door people. I am a firm believer that learning is not limited to a classroom. Sports have played a big role in my life especially in teaching the balance one needs in life and that virtually made me enter into the world of sports’ ‘.
 Reshan Bandaranayake in action |
“Support comes in many forms and from various people. As for me the greatest support and strength came from my family who never missed any of our games and went into to every detail to give us the best to be the best versions of ourselves. I recall when my brother and I were playing junior rugby my parents would travel for hours just to watch us play 10 minutes.
They did the same for all three of us and that was a great source of encouragement. College gave me the platform for rugby and I did have some amazingly dedicated coaches who really helped me a lot to improve and grow as a player and a person. My close friends too supported me through all the tough times I faced during my school rugby career”.
“At Trinity College, Rugby is basically a religion which played a huge role and also my great grandfather, grandfather and father played Rugby for college and at the time I started my older brother was also playing so automatically I also got involved with the sport and that’s the reason why I chose rugby”.
“Actually it’s really hard to become a rugby player. It’s all about discipline and hard work. Depends on how much of it you are willing to sacrifice for the sport. It takes that extra effort and commitment you put in during training to take you through the toughest and hardest times on the field. I believe to be extraordinary and committed”.
“My favourite cricketer is former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara and whenever I would spend all my free time keeping fit, playing cricket or tap rugby and watching cricket matches”. “I actually have four unforgettable memories in my college rugby career. Wearing the college rugby jersey was one of the biggest dreams I had since I was small so as a result wearing the College jersey for the first time was very special to me. And also the fact that I was able to play alongside my brother in the same team is also a memory I will never forget. The next one is the 2019 Bradby second leg where we were trailing by 17 points losing(17-34) i Pallekele before coming down to Colombo and managed to beat Royal (24-13) in
Colombo is a very special memory to me. Even though we couldn’t win the Bradby just that fight and never give up attitude that the team displayed will never leave my memory. And the last one is when we as a team managed to win the 2019 all island sevens championship after 42 years. Those are my most unforgettable incidents thus far in life, and to date I really cherish those moments”.
“After having spent most of my time on the field playing rugby when I actually should have been studying, now it’s time I made studies my priority. However my Family, Friends and Religion remain as my top most priorities in life”. “I don’t compare myself to anyone but I always look up to my father who is my greatest mentor and a great example who I intend to be like as a person.”
“I always do anything only if I believe in it. I’ve been taught to always do the right thing even if everyone else is not. so I always try to do the things I believe in rather than allowing people to dictate what my actions should be”.
“My greatest accomplishment in life would be, being a forthright person whom my family can be proud of and winning the confidence of my friends and being dependable”. “Well the most common complement I get is about my light eyes but the best compliment that I’ve got is being called a straightforward and an honest person”. “The pandemic taught me the importance of spending time with family and friends. And to never take things for granted”. “Well all my achievements have been ones that have been worked hard for, so in that sense I am happy and proud”. “The most embarrassing moment was at Under 14 all island tournament match against Royal when I missed a tackle and my opponent scored a try and we lost the match. I heard the screams of my father and to-date he never lets me forget it. He would never ask us how many tries we scored but would ask how many tackles we missed or how many high balls we dropped”.
“In life I like to describe myself as a Funny but serious person and when I grow up I want to be a good human being and be happy in whatever I intend doing ” “I like to be a forthright person who is straightforward and honest.. That’s the kind of legacy I would like to be remembered for” concluded Reshan Bandaranayake.
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