Former St Peter’s College, CR&FC, Havelocks and Sri Lanka winger Kevin Dixon has been appointed captain of the Sri Lions rugby team on their debut season in the Sri Lanka Rugby ‘A’ division championship, the club’s founder and President Dr. Kelum Sujith Perera revealed at their annual general meeting held on Friday at the Cinnamon Grand in Colombo.
Dubai-based Sri Lions gained promotion to the top division after winning the ‘B’ division championship conducted by Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) last season and their presence is expected to add sparkle to a jaded and crowd-less local League apart from last season’s finale between Kandy SC and CR and FC that was played to a packed house at Longden Place in Colombo.
Dixon, 28, has the distinction of leading the Sri Lanka Under 20 team to victory at the Asian Sevens Championship in 2016 and was also the vice-captain of the Sri Lanka team which became runners-up in the Asian Under 20 tournament in 2015.
Former CR flankers Chanaka Chandimal and Shean Dias have been named as his deputies.
Former St. Peter’s and Havelocks hooker Rajeev Perera, a World Rugby Level III coach, has been appointed as head coach and will be assisted by Kalindu Kariyawasam and Amila Chathuranga.
Former Sri Lanka women’s rugby star and World Rugby Level III qualified coach Sujani Ratnayake has been named as Manager of the side.
Kelum Perera, who is also Head of Sports at Sri Lions, revealed that they have contracted 27 players, including 12 national players.
Former Fijian rugby star Epeli Davetawdu was the Guest of Honour at the AGM of Sri Lions in which the new Executive Committee and future plans of Sri Lions Sri Lanka were announced.
