Unfortunately for Kandy SC the Nippon Paint rugby League inter club tournament had to be put on hold and even run the risk of being abandoned due to the current chaotic situation in the country.
First it was internal politics that brought the remaining two weeks of the league to a standstill when Kandy SC was almost there followed by the political, economic and essential services mess in the country.
However, Kandy SC won all their games convincingly and once again proved that they are the best rugby team in Sri Lanka. They have been champions for the past seven seasons and have won the league 22 times.
This time under the inspiring leadership of Nigel Ratwatte, Kandy SC were able to win all their games during the past two seasons thanks also to Fazil Marija who made a vital contribution as the coach.
At the beginning of the season most of the rugby pundits wrote off the Kandy SC team since seven of their experienced forwards had either migrated, retired or had joined Colombo clubs.
The new young forwards rose to the occasion and admirably filled the void created by Jason Dissanayake who delayed his departure to London while Shehan Pathirana came out of retirement at a crucial time to assist the team.
The backs played brilliant rugby as usual. Team manager Kapila Silva and rugby chairman Lasantha Wijesuriya ensured that discipline was maintained which also contributed to Kandy SC’s success.
The rugby loving Kandy supporters were always behind the team cheering them on.
Since their first league title win in 1994 they have been giving their best. This time their impressive performances have taken them to be the only undefeated side left in the inter-club rugby competition.
In a history spanning over 150 years, Kandy SC have won the league more than any other club since 1994.
Credit should go to their rugby committee chairman Lasantha Wijesuriya a well known man in the game who learnt this rugby at St. Anthony’s College.
It is with his backing that the club has developed strong overall rugby ethos which has contributed to the success of the club. That emphasis on performance under pressure ensures that the Kandy SC rugby players are most likely to stand up taller when the chips are down.
Many famous rugby players have grown to great heights from this club not only to represent the national team but also playing for overseas grade one teams. Founded in 1874 Kandy SC has been the most successful rugby club in the country by winning all titles offered since 1992.
Some of the players who gave the best this season were (forwards) Charles Praveen, Lasitha Attanagoda, Mohamed Ali, Malitha Rashmiks, M. Chandradas, Pathum Weerasinghe, Ananda Raj, Damith Dissanayake, S. Dilshan, Kavishka Bandara, Heshan Kalhara, Thilina Bandara, Chathura Soysa, Ruwan Amarasinghe, Mathisha Amarasinghe, D. Dharmapala, Tharindu Chathuranga, Sanushka Abeywickrema, B. Udangamuwa, Tharaka de Silva,Tharinda Kapuwatte, (scrum halves) Roshan Weeraratne, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Heshan Jansen, (backs) Nigel Ratwatte, Asiri Seneviratne, TPLS Ranaweera, Tharinda Ratwatte, Oshan Perera, Lawanga Perera, Chamika Perera, Dhanush Dayan, Dinal Ekanayake, Buddhima Piyaratne, Kavindu Perera, Dilshan Dange, Nimesh Prematilake and D. Jawsan.