By Harsha Amarasinghe and Sandun Kodithuwakku  

Former Sri Lanka rugby captain Yoshitha Rajapaksa is set for a dramatic return to Navy Sports Club as he is expected to make his first appearance of the ongoing season against Police Sports Club on Sunday.  

The 31-year-old has been training with the Navy squad from Monday and will be registered as a Navy player today (31).  

Rajapaksa last played for CH & FC (File photo)

The flanker who was reinstated in Sri Lanka Navy last September could prove to be a key signing for the Sailors who are struggling at the bottom half of the points table.   

The Welisara Club have dropped in their standards drastically in the last season and a half after finishing second in the 2017/2018 league tournament.  

Rajapaksa enjoyed a phenomenal season with CH and FC a few of years ago where he bagged nine tries from the third row before the former Thomian suffered an injury after which he barely played in competitive games. 

His arrival will most certainly be a huge revival for Navy Sports Club which will attract many top players especially in the next season.  

Daily Mirror predicted the possibility of Rajapaksa returning to Navy at the start of the season, and their skipper Richie Dharmapala at the time said they would be very interested in having him back.  

“I know he was reinstated in the Sri Lanka Navy but I don’t know if he is playing for Navy Sports Club, but he does play for us, that will be massive for us given that he has played for Sri Lanka and a very experienced player,” Richie said during the preseason.  

Rajapaksa’s return will add more firepower to their third row consisted of players such as Adeesha Weeratunga, Gihan Perera and Radeesha Senevirathne, and the Sailors would look to finish the season on a high note.