Former Sri Lanka football captain Chathura Gunarathna has decided to resign from the Police Football Club and join Saunders Football Club, Colombo. The Youth Observer met him to discuss his football life and future plans.
Q: What are you doing these days?
A: I am running my football academy and involved in my business. After a long stay at home due to the Covid pandemic, I am now back with my usual activities with my family.
Q: Is it true that you are leaving the Police Football Club? If so, what is the reason? Did you have a dispute with them?
A: No. They treated me well. I love that club. But I thought that it is time for change. That is why I decided to leave the club.
Q: After you resign from the Police club do you plan to announce your retirement?
A: Ha… Ha… you would have been correct if you had suggested it to me a few months ago. However, I will not retire immediately. I hope to play football for some time more.
Q: Have you selected a club to play for?
A: Yes. I love to play for Saunders. I and lots of others believe that Saunders is the real football club in Sri Lanka. I hope to join them.
Q: That is good news. But, tell me, can you overcome the challenge from young players?
A: Ha ha. If I cannot, do you think I will continue my career? Do not underestimate me. I am still a fine-tuned player. If there is a free kick I am there. Every goalkeeper in the country fears my free kick and I have maintained my fitness level very well. I can play for several months, there is no doubt about it. Otherwise I have maintained my fitness level very well. I can play for several months very easily. There is no doubt about it.
Q: Saunders is believed to be the poorest in the country. Why did you decide to join them?
A: That is not correct. Saunders is not the poorest club in the country. They have a rich football culture. They can also win any tournament played in this country. They also have good sponsors in the Colombo Manning market area. I love to join them for their rich football culture.
Q: That means that you do not have any financial problems?
A: You are right. I am a stable guy when it comes to my economic life and I am very proud about it.
Q: Most footballers in the country are not rich people. How did you find your stability?
A: You are right. But if you can manage your life and economy well you can find financial stability very easily. I did it. I think I am the only footballer who travels in a Benz car at present.
Q: How did you earn more than other footballers? Is there a secret to your success?
A: My secret is to be honest and side with the truth every time. I also have an intelligent wife and she helps me with my work very well. My uncle Ishan de Silva is my main mentor and adviser. Without him I will not be able to manage my life well. He is the key person behind my stability in life.
Q: As a football player are you satisfied with your career?
A: Internationally we have not achieved a place in football as yet. In my era as a captain in Sri Lanka we were ranked 170 to 180 in 2013. After the end of my captaincy, the team’s ranking went down speedily. Now we are below 200. In that situation I am satisfied with my captaincy and playing ability. But I believe that I had the skills to do more at that time than today.
Q: Have you any regrets that you selected football and not any other sport?
A: It is a difficult question to answer. In my younger days I played cricket in Matara. Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Sanath Jayasooriya was my next-door neighbour at that time. He was my cricket adviser. Sanath aiyya’s fame influenced Matara youngsters to take up cricket and my father too encouraged me to play cricket. These things grew a cricket culture around me. However, I was more attracted to football than cricket and ended up as the captain of the national football team of Sri Lanka. That is a great honour for anyone and I never regret taking up football.
Q: What was the main reason for you to give up cricket and take to football?
A: My father’s younger brother ‘Kumara Bappa’. He changed my fate. He influenced me indirectly to become a footballer.
Q: Were you ever invited to join foreign football clubs?
A: Of course. I got invitations on several occasions. But I never accept those invitations. I had a chance to represent several football clubs.
Q: Could you say something about your personal life?
A: My wife is Sashika Lakmini. I have a son and a daughter and hope to welcome the arrival of the third member soon. I engage in business activities parallel to my sports activities and stay happy.
Q: Will you introduce your children to football in the future?
A: It is up to them. If they are talented in any sport they could take it up. I will never interfere with their choice of sport. But they must never use my name to progress in their sports career. It should be through their own skills.
Q: Who are the people who helped you to achieve your dreams in football?
A: My uncles Susil, Sukumal, Kumara Gunarathna and also Sanath Jayasuriya helped me to develop as a footballer. After I came to Colombo, my uncle Isantha de Silva advised me and was close to me. Dudley Steinwall, Sampath Perera, Balendra Anthony, Saheer Master, Fahis Master, Raja Master also guided my football life. When I joined the Police Sports Club, Navegalage, Pushpa Kumara, Buddhika advised me. The unforgettable person who helped my football career was Manilal Fernando. He guided me well on how to manage my life. Today, his son is with me. I also thank the others whose names I cannot recall at this time.
Q: Do you have any message for your fans?
A: Yes, I came to this stable situation as I am honest and work hard. I like to tell youngsters to never tell lies or do dishonest things in your life. It will help you to find success and stability. The other thing is that the Football Federation has to pay me and the other players for playing in the national team in 2013. We are not debtors. The Football Federation is in debt to us.
