Royal honours double International Mahesa Rodrigo

Yasaratne Gamage

Royal College honoured late Mahesa Rodrigo, the former Royalist who represented his country in both cricket and rugby, at a simple commemoration ceremony held at Royal Sports Complex on Thursday.

Upali Gunasekara the principal of Royal College unveiled the plaque to name the home dressing rooms at Royal College Sports Complex in Rodrigo’s memory in the presence of his family and a large gathering.

Mahesa Rodrigo was honoured for his remarkable contributions to rugby as a player, captain, coach, administrator and sporting ambassador and also as one of the few Royalists to lead his school team and represent the national team in both cricket and rugby. He captained his school cricket and rugby teams in 1946 and later leaving the Royal became a life member of Singhalese Sports Club, CR and FC and led the latter in 1952.

Rodrigo represented Sri Lanka in the national rugby team and his passion and brilliance in rugby saw him gaining the captaincy in the national team, being the first local to lead European dominated Ceylon team.

Legendary Mahesa played scrum half in rugby and was a wicket keeper batsman in cricket in his best days of sports and will always be remembered for his magnificent century (135 not out) against West Indies in the First Test in Galle in 1949. With his vast skills and experience in both sports Rodrigo shaped the

future of young players by coaching Royalists. His penchant for rugby took him to S Thomas’, Mount Lavinia to guide Thomian ruggerites. As an administrator of sports he did his best at Royal and at CR and FC. There must have been so many who brought fame and honour to their alma mater but Mahesa Rodrigo stands out among them.

“Rodrigo was a double International who represented his country in both

cricket and rugby who forged a unique place for himself in history as a man

whose talent remains unsurpassed. Mahesa Rodrigo’s lifetime contributions to Royal College , the sporting world and Sri Lanka will never be forgotten and his legacy will live on through his teammates, family, friends, colleagues, and all the youth who benefited from his invaluable coaching and guidance. It was indeed a fitting tribute to a man to whom Rugby and Royal meant everything.” The members of the Royal College Rugby Advisory Committee, eminent former ruggerites of all generations , the current rugby team were also present on the occasion.