Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club is a Division ‘A’ rugby union team in Sri Lanka. Since its humble beginning in 1961 the sailors breezed past a long way clinching some coveted titles and rose from underdog status to become one of the top-notch performers in the field of rugby. Since then, the SLN Rugby did not look back but continued to be a force to be reckoned with in the national circuit.
In recent times, both SLN men and women ruggerites clinched some notable championships exhibiting their ‘never run dry’ courage, dedication and skill in the oval shape ball game. Continuing its winning streak, the Navy men’s team produced a fine display of fast paced open rugby as they beat CR & FC A 21 points 17 to clinch the Cup Championship at the Dialog Inter Club Sevens which was concluded recently at the Racecourse International Stadium, Colombo.
Following in men’s footsteps, the SLN women ruggerites also brought much honour by clinching the Cup Championship over Sri Lanka Army 41 points to 05 at the Sri Lanka Inter Club Women’s 7s rugby tournament. This significant feat remains to be a great achievement of SLN Women Rugby. The tournament was held at the Nittawela Rugby grounds in Kandy and Racecourse International Rugby Grounds in Colombo on 08th, 09th, 15th and 16th July.
Lieutenant Commander RP Roshan and Woman Ordinary Seaman WSDS Wijethilake respectively captain the men’s and women’s teams of SLN rugby at present. Under their captaincy, well supported by the coaching of Mr. M Jayathilake, the sailors have made progressive improvement in rugby in recent years. Their growing success culminated with some dominating performances in rugby over the past couple of years.
Having seen Sri Lanka Navy’s successful rugby campaign in recent years, one cannot simply shrug off the influential role played by the President of SLN Rugby pool, Rear Admiral Udaya Hettiarachchi and Secretary of SLN Rugby, Captain Buddhika Liyanagamage.
Above all, being an ardent fan of rugby, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne provides the main impetus to the upliftment of the game with the desire of seeing the SLN juggernaut keeps rolling to reach new heights in the game.