Omalka Gunaratne: ‘I have to be myself, not anybody else’ | Sunday Observer

Omalka Gunaratne: ‘I have to be myself, not anybody else’

29 January, 2023
Omalka Gunaratne at an international match
Omalka Gunaratne at an international match

He played for and captained his school rugby team Isipathana College as a Number Eight and was one of the most feared forwards who went on to captain the Sri Lanka Youth team in 2015 to become runners up at the Junior Rugby Asiad in Hong Kong.

That’s saying it in a nutshell about Omalka Gunaratne who was also the vice captain of the Sri Lanka Under-20 team which won the Asian Sevens Championship for the first time in the country’s rugby history.

Gunaratne had the honour of representing the Sri Lanka senior team in both formats of Sevens and Fifteens and played for Navy Sports Club, CR & FC and CH and FC and captained the Sri Lanka team as well.

But Gunaratne has never tried to mould his style of play on anyone other than being the man he is and playing up to expectations.

“I won’t compare myself to anyone as I follow only myself. But whenever I can, I like to be like my father,” he told the Sunday Observer in an interview.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: What made you enter the world of sports?
My father’s influence

Q: Who has supported you the most?     
It’s my father, mother and my family

Q: What do you do for fun?
I play rugby and I like to travel with my family

Q: What are the priorities in your life?
To go overseas for higher studies enabling me to have a professional career

Q: What was your most unforgettable incident?
Being part of the 2014 triple champions Isipathana College, being captain of the 2015 Sri Lanka team that became runners up at the Junior Rugby Asiad and being the vice captain of the Sri Lanka Under 21 Sevens team that was crowned as the Asian champions for the first time in the country’s rugby history

Q: What would you consider to be the greatest accomplishment in your life?
As a 19-year-old representing the Sri Lanka Sevens and Fifteen-a-side rugby teams

Q: If you had one day left to live, what would you do?
I’ll be spending the entire day with my whole family

Q: Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?
I won’t compare myself to anyone as I follow only myself. But whenever I can, I like to be like my father Q: What’s the best compliment you have received?

When Otago ITM coach John Latta complimented me for my performance through an email after seeing me playing at the Junior Rugby Asiad in Singapore

Q: Are you happy with all your achievements?
Yes, with what I have achieved at this age, I am very happy

Q: What’s your favourite movie?
Deep water horizon

Q Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
Definitely I am doing what I believe in

Q: How would you describe yourself in two words?
Simple, honest

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