Rugby star Charles Wijewardena remembered

M. Farook Lantra

The sixth death anniversary of rugby hero DIG Charles Wijewardena falls on August 4 (Thursday). He was 58 at the time of his death.

He died under tragic circumstances whilst on duly serving in war torn Northern city of Jaffna in 2005.

Charles better known as 'Charlie' was a household name during the Police's Golden Rugby era from 1973 to 1982.

Charlie was a product of Vidyartha College, Kandy. He joined the Air Force in 1968 and in August, 1972 he joined the Police as a Sub Inspector. Until 1982 he was a member of the Police Rugby Team as well as the National Rugby team.

In 1979 the Police Rugby Team won the Clifford Cup under his captaincy. He was adjudged the best place kicker in Sri Lanka and earned the titles of 'King Charlie' and Mr. Reliable.

On August 6, 1972 when he joined the Police, the same day two top rugby players joined the service. They were Seewali Samarasekara, and Nimal Lewke. Charles had the proud distinction of captaining two service teams the Air Force (1972) and Police (1979).

One could not bear the shock and pain the way Charles died on this fateful day and more sorrowful to his wife, three children, all the rugby lovers and his mates. DIG Nimal Lewke, DIG R.M Lafir and DIG Lucky Pieris were all his close friends.

While late Charles was in service attached to Kurunegala, he never forgot to mould up the young Rugby players of Kurunegala Rugby Football Club, he gave his best to KRFC by doing yeoman service until he took up duties in North.

He contributed over 100 points for six consecutive years for Police from 1976 to 1981. The best year was 1976 when he contributed 182 points beating CR and FC's Kumar Buell whose contribution was 176 points. When Air Force did not play rugby in 1971 due to the insurrection Charles turned out for the Ceylonese Rugby and Football Club and played a key role in their success and contributed 12 points to CR's 27-6 win over Police in the Clifford Cup final.

He turned out for Sri Lanka in the 1974 and 1978 Rugby Asiads and contributed the only points for Sri Lanka by putting over two penalties when the Lankans lost to Japan by 6-44 in the final at the 1974 Asiad at Longden Place.