Rugby: Sri Lanka Navy felicitates former players

The Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne felicitated the former Navy rugby players of the 1980s at a brief function held during the Inter Command Rugby Football Tournament at Welisara Navy Rugby Football grounds on Sunday (30).   These Rugby players have played along with the Commander of the Navy for many years in the 80s.   Vice Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne played as No.8 and wing forward positions bringing glory to the Navy.   For his outstanding accomplishments in sports, he was awarded with Sri Lanka Navy colours for Rugby Football, Sailing and Rowing.   He has also actively participated in Hockey during his training at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, UK.   Vice Admiral Wijegunaratne proved his marksmanship talents by representing the Sri Lanka Navy in Practical Pistol Firing, Sniper Firing in three gun competitions.   Due to the deep affiliation he has with sports, Vice Admiral Wijegunaratne has held key sports administrative positions in the Navy such as; Chairman/Senior Coordinator-SLN Rugby Football, Sailing/Rowing, Judo, Karate and Wrestling.   He also contributed immensely to the national level sports administration as the President of the ‘National Rifle Association’ where he worked tirelessly to uplift the standards of the game to a greater extent. As a keen Golfer himself, Vice Admiral Wijegunaratne was also instrumental in promoting Golf in the Navy and is the present President of the SLN Golf Club.   The Commander of the Navy felicitated Commodore NGB Tennakoon, Lieutenant Commander MBA Bandaranayake, MCPO UK Ranjith, MCPO MPJ Piyarathna, MCPO PMT Kaluarachchi, MCPO PA Rodrigo, FCPO RDU Wijerathne, FCPO NWMSS Navarathna, FCPO M Sheriffdeen, PO RL Priyantha, PO NASA Perera, PO TSM Bingalif, PO B Balendran, PO SH Gnanasena, LS WMUMP Fernando and LS WL Karunarathne for their outstanding contribution in uplifting the game and for bringing fame to the Navy in the past.   Commodore HAUD Hettiarachchi, the Chairman SLN Rugby and Commodore KAS Uthpala, the Director SLN Sports and Surgeon Commodore GSR Jayawardena, the Honorary Sports Medicine Physician of SLN Rugby Football Team were also present at this ceremony.