Kandy remembers 1969 captain Denzil Kobbekaduwa

Hafiz Marikar

Yesterday, August 8 was the 20th death anniversary of one of the top class ruggerites and a colorful Military officer, Lt. Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa. Twenty years ago, on September 8, we lost this great son of Sri Lanka, and his 72nd birthday fell on, July 27.

Late Denzil was born in Kandy on July 27, 1940 to Loku Bandara and Iona Ratwatte Kobbekaduwa, as their second son. Gen Denzil Kobbekaduwa was a colorful military officer and a fine rugby personality. He met with his untimely tragic death whilst commanding the security forces in the north when the vehicle he was traveling in went over a pressure mine.

He was a gentleman on and off the rugby field. After hanging up his boots he continued his contribution to rugby as reputed referee, and a knowledgeable coach and was an able administrator.

Denzil started his schooling at Hillwood Girls College, nursery and later began his brilliant career at Trinity College, in 1948. He was a classmate of the famous Dr. Niel Halpe. They were together from Hillwood College to Trinity.

At that time Trinity was known as the cradle of rugby in Sri Lanka and he was awarded the Lion for rugby and colours for hockey. Denzil also took part in Cricket and played a few matches. He was a prefect and later became a senior prefect, which position he held only for few months, as he had to leave to join the Army.

At rugby he was a top class scrum half, first played for Trinity in 1957 under the leadership of Ken de Joedt and also in 1958 under Ken. During that time, his teammates were (Props) Rohan “Teddy” Wijanayake, Jinna Dias de Singhe, (Hooker) Mike de Alwis, (Locks) Erick Roles and Ray Abeyakoon, (Wing-forwards) Dickey Herman and Ivor Brohier, (No. 8) Rodney Frank, (Fly-half) Nimal Maralande (Wingers) Sena de Silvas and H. Godigama, (Centers) Ken de Joedt (Captain), Tony Bultjens, (Full-back) Uvais Odayar. In 1959 Denzil led the school, and had the cream of ruggerites playing with him such as Ken Murray and Tyrone Herman (Props), Haroon Chunchie (Hooker), Gamini Fernando, Jayantha Jayawardene (Locks), Sari de Silva D. Janakiram (Wing-forwards), Eric Roles (No. 8), Mohamed Azain (Fly half), R.W.Mdugalle and his brother N.T.Madugaslle (Wingers) Jayantissa Ratwatta and Tony Buultjens (Centers), Malcom Tlawatte (Fullback).

As a hockey player he was fine right inside and played along with L.U.B. Dissanayake, N.C Molligoda, L.S.Perera, M. Delpitiya, L.D. Karaliedde, M.C M Fazeel.

After a successful career at Trinity College in the field of sports and studies, he successfully completed the final examination, the University Entrance Examination. And in 1960 he began his illustrious career in the Sri Lanka Army and went for training to UK for two years at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.

Having successfully completed his training, he returned to the country.

From 1963, he was a regular member of the Sri Lanka Army rugger team which he went on to captain later. He played for the Army along with C.S. Fernando, Dr .C. Thurairaja, Sarath Wijesnghe, Tunku Ousman, S. Rajanayagam, A.N. Peries, G. Edwin, S.Anderson, L. Jayarthne, K. Piyadasa, S. Chandrasekara, E.Wanasinghe, N. Sheddon and S.Mendis and was a regular member of the Sri Lanka Army team.

Then again in 1964, he went to UK for a short stint to the Bovington Military Academy. Before unfortunately he was sent on compulsory leave in 1966, in which year he turned out for Havelock SC before returning to his home town Kandy in 1967. He donned the white jersey for the first time in 1967 under Y.C.Chang and in 1970 after three games he went back to the Army.

His finest year in rugby was in 1969, under his leadership Kandy Sports Club rose to great heights and beat league champions Havelock SC by 11-8 in the quarter finals, and in the semifinals beat CH & FC 3-0.

In the cup final, went down fighting to CR & FC 6-12. Those who played with him in the Clifford Cup knockouts were Y.C. Chang, Mohan Balasuriya, Gavin Stevens, Rohan Abeyasundara, Dr.D. Makuoluwa, Deepal de Zoysa, Jadi Dissanayake, Gamini Udugama, Jayantissa Ratwatta, Chang Faa Ching, Palitha Sam Samarasekara, George Jayasena, Lakshman Samarawijeya, Shafie Jainudeen, there was also Fredrick Prins, Cyril Aluwihare and Iswan Omar in the squad, the team was coached by Maurice Perera.

Denzil’s greatest moment was in August 1969, when he played in both Test matches against the Bosuns. Sri Lanka went down fighting and Denzil playing a key role in containing the visitors by tackling his opposite number Nick Vosper to a standstill and he hit it off smoothly with fly half Omar Sheriff. In October 1969, Denzil toured Singapore with the Sri Lanka team. Once again in 1970 to 1972 he played for the Army. In 1972 he played for the Army while serving as the Secretary of the SLRFU then known as CRFU – a unique achievement indeed.

Then in the early 1970s when the Army pulled out of rugby due to insurgency, Denzil turned out for CR & FC “Bees”. He rendered invaluable service to rugger as Secretary of the controlling body, from 1972 to 19074. He was also one of the country’s leading referees from 1974 to 1985. He officiated in the 1978 cup final and the 1984 R. Premadasa trophy final. He was also one time Manager of the Sri Lanka team, at the Asiad held in 1978.

Then in 1966 and 1969, he coached his alma mater Trinity College and produced two champion teams with the help of Percy Madugalle. Some of whom had the good fortune of being coached by him at school are Ajith Abeyarthne, Gogi Tilakarathne, Jupana Jayawardene, S. Sundaraligam, Glen Valangenberg, Gamini Udugama, Dilip Kumar, Mohan Samarakoon, Iswan Omar, Sam Samarasekara, Shafie Jainudeen, Anura Madawella and M.T.M. Zarook.

Denzil was held high esteem by successive governments including UNP governments. To his credit it must be said that when he was a Brigadier, he served the nation with dedication. at crucial times and proud to mention his efforts were successful and fruitful.

Denzil was married to Lalini, the youngest daughter of Kenneth Ratwatte. Denzil’s children are Roshani, Sanilka and Dislhan. As an act of gratitude Kandy Sports Club named their club house in name for Lt. Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa. This club house was built by great rugby promoter Malik Samarawickrema during the presidency of Dr. Sarath Kapuwatte. Lt.Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa is no more, but his memory will remain forever in the minds of all those who knew him. Denzil will not be forgotten by the rugby lovers of the country.