Denzil Kobbekaduwa, a ruggerite par excellence

M. Farook Lantra

The 20th death anniversary of war hero Lt Gen Denzil Kobbekaduwa falls on August 8 (tomorrow) Gen Denzil Kobbekaduwa better known as Denzil was a great leader who went on to bag major honours both for his country and the Army. Denzil was born in Kandy on 27th, July 1940. He had his early education at Trinity College Kandy, where he excelled in sports, especially rugby football. He joined the Sri Lanka Army in May 1960. On completion of his training as an officer cadet at the Royal Military Academy, SandHurst U.K. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant to the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps on 3rd August 1962.

As a young man General Kobbekaduwe was a cheerful, energetics and efficient officer who won the hearts of all who came into contact with him.

He was an electrifying rugby player for the Army as well as for his country. He also made a great contribution to uplift the standard of the game in Sri Lanka by his involvement in the fields of refereeing, coaching and administration. His outstanding ability in his chosen profession as well as sports enabled him, his unit, the Army and Sri Lanka to bag several laurels.During school days at Trinity, Denzil was awarded the coveted Trinity Rugby Lion along with E.D.K. (Eric) Roles (1960 captain) and Johnny Buultjens (jnr) in 1959. Denzil also won his hockey colours and was President of the Lemeul House Association and senior Prefect in 1960.

During his time there were some great names with three Sri Lanka captains.

They were Nimal Maralanda, Mike De Alwis and Sari De Sylva also not forgetting his team mates Ken De Joodt, Jayanthissa Ratwatte and Jayantha Jayawardana, who was also involved in this conversation, revealed that Denzil was his first rugby captain when he was 15-years-old, when he attended 1st XV practices during the holidays and chose to represent Trinity. Denzil represented the Ceylon Rugby Football Union’s President XV in 1970, he was elected as Secretary of Central Province RFU and also look part in the 1970 Rugby Asiad held in bangkok. Denzil was elected as a committee Member of the Sri Lanka Rugby Referees Society in 1976/77 and was the referee who accompanied the Sri Lanka Rugby team to the 6th Rugby Asiad in Kuala Lumpur in 1978. He coached the Sri Lanka Army to win the Clifoord Cup in 1975.

Denzil played as a scrum half for the Army after Berty Dias from 1963 to 1965.

Denzil played for Kandy SC from 1966 to 1969 captaining in 1969 when they lou to CR and FC 6-12 in the finals. After rejoining the Army in 1970 he played for Army from 1970 to 1972.

He was also Secretary of the SLRFU in 1972 and 1973. He was also a top class referee who offiated in several cup finals including the 1978 and 1984 cup finals.

There were lot to learn from Denzil and he was a brilliant star on the rugby field as well as a good administrator, who also captained the Army rugby team in 1974. His distinguished service was duly recognized and was awarded several decorations as well as the Vadamaraachchi Operation Medal, the Purma Bhumi Padakkama and the Rana Wickrama Padakkama.