Breaking barriers
On January 19, this year, history was made at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium in Kandy in the MasterCard Club Rugby League game between the eventual champions Kandy Sports Club and Navy Sports Club. For fans and followers of one of the most popular sports in Sri Lanka, it may have been just another game of club rugby, but for Charani Liyanage, it was baptism of fire. It was her debut game as a rugby referee, and above all, it was history. She was on the verge of becoming Sri Lanka’s first-ever female rugby referee to officiate in the country’s elite Club Rugby League championship.
“I was nervous, naturally. I conducted the usual team pep talk and instructed my team of referees that I would like the game to flow on my terms and style. It was easy to work with them, with me as the on field referee, and for the first time at the top level of course. Eventually, it all went smooth and well,” still feeling excited on her debut, Charani said.
Charani Liyanage officiating a top division school game last season
Eventually the game went flawless, with Kandy SC recording a thumping 66-5 win against the Sailors. Despite having the tough task of controlling over 30 grown-up and tough men, who brawled for 80 minutes seeking glory, it was all down to that one lass with the whistle, Charani to have them all under her command.
In the end, Charani Liyanage stood out as a trailblazer, in a traditionally male-dominated field, in the Division ‘A’ Club Rugby League. At 33, she has made history as Sri Lanka’s first female referee in the top league.
Charani’s story begins in Dematagoda, where she attended St. Anthony’s Balika Vidyalaya. Growing up with one sister, Charani had been always active, initially pursuing athletics from the age of 10. She later joined Sri Lanka Army in 2009, still holding her passion for athletics close. However, her athletic performance led her down an unexpected path — rugby.
Her rugby journey began at the Army’s Inter-Regimental Tournament, and before long, Charani was placed in the national pool. Despite the initial challenges, she never let fear take over or stop her. “At first, I was scared. It was a big challenge, but I realised that there is nothing that a girl can’t do,” Charani said.
Support from her family was unwavering throughout her career, with Charani acknowledging, “I’m where I am because of the support given to me by my mother, father, and sister,” said Charani, who named her father as her first coach.
With the guidance of tutors Anil Jayasinghe and Tony Amit, Charani began her refereeing journey in 2015. After leaving the Army, her career took a brief pause, but in 2021, the present President of Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Referees, Dinka Peiris reignited her passion for officiating. Since then, refereeing has become her top priority. For Charani, becoming the first female referee in the Division ‘A’ is a milestone she holds dear.
“There have been female referees before, but I’m the first in the top division. I’m pleased about my journey,” she noted.
Reflecting on her early days in the sport, Charani fondly remembers her first children’s rugby tournament, where she learned as much from the young players as they did from her. She recalled a defining moment of her career in 2017 when she participated in a Malaysian tour with the national pool, where her team became Cup champions.
“It was a victory that is etched in my memory,” she recalled.
Charani’s list of accomplishments also includes a 2023 victory at the Defense Services Rugby Championship, where she was awarded Best Player — a perfect sendoff at the end of her Army service. As a woman in a male-dominated field, Charani’s ambition has always been clear. She dreams of joining the Asian Panel of Referees, and she firmly believes that sports have no gender barriers.
“You can always go forward in sports. There’s no gender barrier. Girls can do it. As a sportswoman, you have the capabilities that a sportsman has. You have to keep your heart strong to continue this journey,” Charani elaborated.
Her journey has not been without its challenges. Charani’s family, also with a sporting background — her father a football player and her sister also involved in sports — has been a constant source of support.
The ‘risk’ taken by the assignment committee, placing Charani in tough matches, were not lost on her. “They took a big risk in assigning me because they had a doubt if a female could undertake a task like this, but I was able to prove myself”.
Over the years, Charani has officiated some of the most high profile matches, including the Kandy SC vs Navy SC in the concluded Club Rugby League and in the school tournaments like D.S. Senanayake College vs Sri Sumangala College.
“Although the players and audience may expect a male referee, they have a good reaction when they see me,” she shared, highlighting the positive response she receives despite the traditional expectations.
“Discipline is number one, because I have been a player myself, and we have to maintain it,” Charani highlighted.
Looking back, Charani is content with her journey, acknowledging the obstacles and challenges she faced along the way.
“More than me, my parents are happy when they see how far I’ve come,” said Charani, staring down a long and successful journey at international level.