Police - determined lot

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

The Sri Lanka Police had a disastrous season last year in which they were relegated to the Plate Championship of the Caltex ‘A’ Division League Tournament at the end of the first round in which they emerged champions.

This year the policemen received a morale booster when they held the formidable Navy to a 13-all draw in their fourth outing having lost the first three matches they played to CR and FC (18-32), Kandy SC (14-70) and Army (8-10) but should fare much better as the season progresses.

The Policemen have failed to emerge as a force to be reckoned with during the last decade with their best performance being in 2002 when they ended up in fourth position of the ‘A’ Division League winning 10 matches out of 15.

They also stormed into the Premier Champions Trophy final with a stunning 36-27 win over the formidable Army before losing (18-26) to CR and FC in the final.

During the last few years the policemen have provided the national team with seven outstanding ruggerites - Nishantha Welagedera, Charaka Hewawasam, Pradeep Wilson, Nilusha Fernando, Harshana Wijeweera, Chula Susantha and Champika Thushara.

The period from 1984 to 1991 could be considered as the Golden era of Police rugby during which they clinched the ‘A’ Division League rugby title seven times (except for 1990 when they were compelled to withdraw from the tournament due to the North East War).

During this period the policemen reigned supreme in club rugby winning the Rugby Triple twice in 1985 (under Sunil Sahabandu) and 1989 (led by Hafeal Marso) and also bagged the Rugby Double on two occasions - 1987 (led by Muruga Jayaratne) and 1991 (under the captaincy of Hemantha Yatawara).

They also had the honour of clinching the Clifford Cup - club rugby’s richest prize thrice - 1984, 1985 and 1991 during this eight-year period.

This year Sri Lanka ‘Sevens’ player Champika Thushara has been entrusted with the task of leading Police. A hard runner and a solid tackler Thushara will occupy one wing while Ranjith Kumara, Viraj Devasurendra, Hasaranga and Ajith Herath will battle it out for the other position. The experienced Priyantha Ekanayake and Thusitha Samaratilleke will be the regular centres with ex-Rajan Anjula Wijeratne also staking a claim for a berth. Young Hashan Gomes faces a strong challenge from Milinda Bandara for the scrum half berth.

Sri Lanka player Harshana Wijeweera who has been an asset to the side with his long kicks to touch and accurate place kicking will occupy the pivotal fly half position.

Young Jeevan Amaradasa who has stood out with his safe collections and booming kicks to touch will be once again manning the last line of defence.

The policemen once again boast of a powerful set of forwards.

Sri Lanka player Nishantha Welagedera will bind down in the front row with Malith Hettiarachchi with Sivadasan making a determined bid to oust one of them.

Gemunu Indrachapa a tireless player in the loose will fill the hooker’s position.

Seasoned campaigner Pradeep Wilson, a fine line out jumper will play in the second row along with either Dinesh Kumara or Nalin Archarige.

Two fierce tacklers and terrific players in the loose T.D. Seneviratne and U.B. Gonawala will be the regular flankers with Mohamed Akmal as the standby. The vital number eight berth will be filled by Sanjeeva Pushpakumara.

Former Police skipper Lalith Leelaratne has taken over the task of coaching the Police assisted by ex-Sri Lanka players Niranjan Abeywardena and Sudath Sampath.