Rugby star Charles Wijewardena remembered

The third death anniversary of former Air Force, Police and Sri Lanka full back DIG Charles Wijewardena falls today. He was killed by terrorists while performing his duties in Jaffna on August 4, 2005.

Wijewardena an old boy of Vidyartha College, Kandy turned out for Air Force from 1968 to 1972 captaining Air Force in his final year.

He joined the Sri Lanka Police in 1973 and played for the Police team from 1973 to 1982 and played a key role in their success helping them to share the Clifford Cup with Army (19-all draw) in 1973 by contributing 11 points by putting over three penalties and making one conversion and six years later under his leadership they regained the Clifford Cup and in the following year (1980) Police retained it led by Nimal Lewke.

It was as a place kicker that he shone scoring over 100 points for five consecutive years from 1976 to 1980. The most memorable performance came in 1976 when he amassed 182 points with his brilliant place kicking beating CR’s Kumar Buell who collected 176 points.

Charles was also a tower of strength in the last line of defence with his safe collections and booming kicks to touch and represented Sri Lanka in the 1974 Rugby Asiad in Colombo and 1978 Rugby Asiad in Kuala Lumpur. He fired across two penalties in the 1974 final against Japan to register the only points for Sri Lanka who lost 6-44.

He also represented CR and FC in 1971 when Air Force withdrew from competitive rugby due to the insurgency and made a vital contribution of 12 points with his accurate place kicking in CR’s 27-6 win over Police in the Clifford Cup final.