By: Shamseer Jaleel

Former Vidyartha College, Trinity College, Kandy SC, Havelock SC Head Coach and national player Saliya Kumara is set to sign his new contract with St. Anthony’s College for the 2025 Inter-Schools rugby season next month.

Kumara last coached Isipathana College to win the President’s Trophy Knock-Out Rugby Championship after the side had emerged runners-up in the League Tournament this year.

Kumara is the present Head Coach of Havelock SC. He played under Migara Maddumapatabendi at Trinity in 2003.

He represented the national outfit at the Junior Rugby Asiad in Hong Kong. He started his club rugby briefly at Havelock SC and then at CH and FC before joining Kandy SC in 2007.

Kumara represented the country in both Sevens and 15-A-Side rugby touring many Asian countries.

He is also a World Rugby Trainer and Educator and completed his Level 2 in Sevens as well as in 15-A-Side rugby.

He was the former Head Coach of the National Women’s Sevens Rugby Team, Isipathana, Trinity, Navy SC and current Head Coach of Havelock SC.

Kumara also guided Trinity to win the Sevens title after more than four decades when Reshan Bandaranayake led the outfit to beat St. Peter’s College at Pallekele.