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by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy sports correspondent

Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte was unanimously elected as the President of Kandy Sports Club for the fifth successive year at the Annual General Meeting held at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium on Sunday. Dr. Kapuwatte who has seen the growth of the Club since 1989 has done a tremendous job and the vote of confidence did not come as a surprise.

He has been the club's president for over ten years serving in three different terms.

Iswan Omar who did an excellent job at the Singer Sri Lanka Rugby Sevens featuring 16 countries as the Chairman of the Organising Committee was elected as the Monetary Secretary replacing Malath Fernando who has been appointee vice president. Omar is also the Secretary of the Central Province Rugby Football Union and will have his hands full at rugby. He will also perform the functions of the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Singer Sri Lanka Rugby Sevens this year too.

A surprise visitor at the Annual General Meeting was Sri Lanka cricketer and spin wizard Muttiah Muralitheran who is a rugby enthusiast. He was in the company of Chairman, Zahara Sports Complex Ltd Shukri Saleh - a multi millionaire and a keen follower of Sri Lanka cricket and presently has undertaken the construction of the Pallekelle Cricket Stadium.

Club Trustee and Malik Samarawickrema whose love for Kandy's rugby knows no bounds announced that Shukri Saleh will be financing the extension to the present Central Finance Grandstand which will add to the impressive infrastructure available at Nittawela Rugby Stadium.

Ford Merril Gunatilleke - one of the longest serving members of the club was made a honorary life member of the club, which was a well-deserved recognition as 'Ford' has served the club in various capacities with civil engineering being his forte. Sri Lanka centre three quarter Sajith Mallikarachchi was appointed as the rugby team captain.

The rugby committee is well served with top ruggerites of the yester years in former Sri Lanka captain Priyantha Ekanayake, Samantha Kotalawela, Hemantha Yatawara and two expatriates in New Zealander George Simpkin who was one time Hong Kong National Coach and presently the National Coach of China whose rugby fortunes are soaring these days under his guidance. Then there is also West Samoan Thulaga Tavita better known as 'Laga' who coached the Champion Royal College side this year and has also played rugby for CR & FC.

Kandy SC have already won the inter-club Rugby Sevens and despite the probable loss of crack No. 8 Harris Omar from this year's side could look for another successful season this year.

President: Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte

Senior Vice President: Dharmasiri Madugalle

Vice Presidents: Priyantha Ekanayake and Malath Fernando

Secretary: Iswan Omar

Treasurer: Palitha Amarasinghe

General Committee: Sarath Perera, Lasantha Wijesuriya, George Simpkin, Ranjith Jayaweera, Prasad Fernando, Lal Gunatillake, Anil Jayasinghe, C. P. Philomen Raj, Mahinda Dias and Hafiz Marikar.

Social Secretary: Dhammika Samarasinghe

Ground Secretary: Maurice Joachim

Billiards Secretary: Leslie de Zoysa

Physical Culture Secretary: Mahesh Weerasinghe

Rugby Captain: Sajith Mallikarachchi

Chairman Singer Sri Lankan Rugby Sevens: Iswan Omar

Media Sponsor: Priyantha Ekanayake

Rugby Committee: Messrs. Priyantha Ekanayake, Hemantha Yatawara, George Simpkin, Saman Kotalawala (Team Manager) and Thulaga Tavita (Laga).

Team Manager: Saman Kotalawala

CPRFU Representative: Hemantha Yatawara.

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