• National skipper calls it a day

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) President Pavithra Fernando says that he had requested outgoing national captain Tarinda Ratwatte to reconsider the latter’s decision to call it a day from the sport and spearhead the country’s campaign during next year’s Asian Games in Japan.

He made this comment when The Daily Morning Sports sought his views on the centre’s decision on Monday (17) to quit all forms of rugby while bringing down the curtain on his 19-year career.

Fernando stated that in his view that Ratwatte who represented CR and FC and Kandy SC in the domestic circuit still could have offered much for the national team in the sevens format.

“I spoke to Tarinda only days before he announced his retirement,” the SLR head said. “I then urged him to make himself available for selections ahead of picking the national team for the Asian Games in 2026. This is because I feel his experience would have been advantageous to us in our bid for a medal at the event. But, I guess he (Tarinda) seems to have had second thoughts and opted to hang up his boots.”

Ratwatte led the Sri Lanka ‘Tuskers’, at the Emirates Asian Rugby Championship this year and Fernando said that the national 15-a-side team captain’s exit would be a loss for the game here.

In a social media post the ex-Trinity rugby star recalled his path from school rugby to turning out for his country “Rugby has given me lifelong friendships, invaluable lessons, and memories which I will cherish forever.”

He also expressed his gratitude to his coaches, mentors, teammates, and fans, with special mention to Niranjan Ranasinghe for having introduced him to New Zealand rugby and Neil Foote for having moulded his early career.

Although quitting competitive rugby Tarinda Ratwatte also signalled his wish to remain engaged in rugby through the aspects of mentoring, coaching or commentary.

“Rugby will always be a part of who I am,” he said, acknowledging the game for inculcating in him discipline, resilience and humility.