At the age of 17, he was the Goal keeper in the College Football team who turned out to play Tag Rugby for his house in an Inter House Rugby tournament. When the lad was 19, he was the most fearsome Number 8s in the Sri Lankan School’s circuit and went on to represent the U20 Sri Lankan team. Two years later he wore the National Sevens Jersey.
Anuradha loved Football since he was a kid and just like any other boy his idols were Lionel Messi and Chirstiano Ronaldo. He was born in Anuradhapura and was schooling at St.Joseph’s College Anuradhapura.
He moved to Colombo in the year 2010 to join St.Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya to continue his studies and was influenced by Mr.M.S.Nandasiri – his former Football Master In Charge at St.Joseph’s College to continue football at St. Peter’s. This is when Mr.Nandasiri’s good friend Mr.Milroy Perera – the MIC of SPC Football welcomed him to join the Peterite team as a Goal Keeper.
Since his parents were still living in Anuradhapura, he was boarded in School. Even though he did enjoy the life in the boarding, he missed his mum’s food. His usual afternoons were spent in the college grounds and he always made it a point go watch the Peterite rugby team practicing from top of the pavilion. Some weekends he also made it a point to watch few Old Peterites playing tap rugby in the evenings at the College grounds.
In October 2010, The Peterite Rugby Foundation organised their Annual Inter House Tag Rugby Tournament at College. This is one of their key events in the calendar where the Rugby coaches of St.Peter’s College spots raw talent of youngsters and invite them to come and take the sport. That day Anuradha too decided to have a run for his House and played Rugby for the time in his life. His speed, Power and the running angles soon became the talk among the coaches and he was awarded the ‘Best Player in his house’. Then the head coach at SPC, Mr.Sanath Martis asked him to come and train with the boys immediately.
His parents were okay with the decision but at the same time stressed about doing well in his studies which Anuradha balanced very well.
He began to attend rugby training with the 2011 Squad later than year and started playing 1st XV in 2011 at the age of 17 years as a blind side winger because of his sheer speed and power. His first captain Banuka Nanayakkara was a great influence to him and always encouraged him as it was his very first year as a Rugby player. Anuradha also really loved watching Dhanushka Ranjan in action as he said “They were two of my favourite players at St.Peter’s and proud that I have played under them in the year 2011 and 2012.”
In the year 2013, he was moved to play as a number 8 by his coach Collin Denish which he found more challenging. However that decision did make him a star and became one of the most fearsome No 8s in Sri Lanka Schools. The same year he suffered a fractured shoulder and an ankle injury while playing. But his courage and dedication made him to become the highest try scorer in the team at the end of the 2013 season. Later in the same year he also represented the U20 Sri Lankan side for the Junior Asiad.
He went on to say that “Collin sir was always there to guide me throughout my school career and I am very grateful and thankful to him”
Anuradha still cherishes the two most unforgettable moments wearing the Blue, White and Gold striped jersey for St.Peter’s College.
That last minute try he scored at Pallakale against Trinity to beat them after breaking off from a scrum inside the 40m in the year 2012 winning the All Island Schools Sevens tournament in the year 2013 Under Shan Weerakkody and becoming the best plyer of the tournament.
After leaving school he went on to represent one of the oldest clubs in the country CR & FC as a winger and turned out to be a key player for his team. His talent in the current club league earned him a place to wear the Sri Lankan National Sevens jersey in Brunai at the age of 21 years. His exact words was ”I cannot describe in words how happy I am when I got the news that I was selected for the Sri Lankan Sevens team. It was like a dream come true”
He said that the support he got from his coaching staff in College – “Mr.Sanath Martis and Collin Denish was priceless. Not forgetting the team mates / players and members of SPC Rugby Foundation was definitely so encouraging.” He did not forget to thank his former Captain Shan Weerakkody and team mate Dilanka Perera for all their support along with their mums who looked after him like their own son and served him his favourite dishes whenever he visited their houses over the weekends.
“If not for St.Peter’s College – I will not be here playing Rugby for Sri Lanka” he stressed at the end.
Some interesting up close and personal statistics
Height – 5’11
Weight – 75 kg
Best 100m sprint timing – 11.4
Employer – Dialog Axiata
Career dream – To become a HR Head
Favourite Food – Manioc and Beef
Favourite International Rugby players – Sonny Bill Williams and Ma’a Nonu
