Being able to play alongside my younger brother Reshan was indeed memorable, says Rashen

Rashen Bandaranayake played school rugby as a full back for his alma mater Trinity College, Kandy. at the Inter-School rugby tournament. He received the prestigious Trinity colours for Rugby.

Rashen is the eldest son of famous Trinity rugby player cum rugby lion Rajeeva Bandaranayake and also has two brothers in Reshan Bandaranayake (Played 1St XV and captain Trinity) and Rushen (Playing Junior rugby) for Trinity College Kandy.

Speaking exclusively to Daily News, Rashen said “I come from a family where sports has always played an important part and we believe it inculcates some of the strongest qualities in one’s character. Entering the world of sports was the most natural thing in my life and I am pretty sure my parents gave me a rugby ball before a picture book”. “The Centre point of my support was my family no doubt. My fathers support, advice and unfailing confidence in my ability was the greatest strength. My parents never missed a single game of ours. Even my grandmother made it to all our games. My mother carried out all the instructions written out very meticulously by my father. Although my parents were also involved in sports in school ,since I was the eldest out of three, they did all the research needed to suit the times and went into detail. I remember having a meal plan stuck to our refrigerator and a growth chart pinned on the wall.

Trinity College of course gave me the platform for sports and I was also blessed to have some amazing coaches who moulded me. My first coach Y M S Ratnayake taught me the basics and along the way many others namely Bandula Pushpakumara , Sanjaya Amunugama, Saliya Kumara, Navindra Dayan, All blacks legend Lote Raikabula and the legendary late Chandrishan Perera built on it. Support from my teammates and friends throughout was a great strength .However I firmly believe that support is not only the positive vibes received but the negative vibes along the way supported me to be stronger”.

“Apart from rugby being the religion at Trinity , in our home rugby is our 2nd skin so to speak . My brothers and I are the 4 th generation to be playing rugby for college. If I say rugby was the obvious choice. That’s the reason why I choose the game of rugby”.

“Being a rugby player is not easy. Being an outstanding rugby player is even more difficult. One has to be self disciplined and willing to go that extra mile to be better than the rest. It’s a team sport where each player has to contribute to the best of their ability to cross the line of victory. I would say one has to be selfless to be a valuable member of a team”.

“My favourite cricketer is former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara and My favourite leisure time activities are playing tap rugby or soft ball cricket. Apart from that I also enjoy watching movies, rugby matches and listening to music”.

“I have quite a few unforgettable memories and the most important one being the first time I wore the red, yellow and blue jersey and got onto the field . 2016 Bradby was special where we drew the game.

Being able to play alongside my younger brother Reshan was indeed memorable and the 2017 Bradby was unforgettable where he scored off a pass from me. It was a dream come true moment. The close call victories in 2017 against St. Joseph’s College and Isipathana College, where the team fought tooth and nail up until the last whistle are memories I treasure”.

“Top most priorities in my life are my family, friends and religion.. Now that I have started work it is definitely a priority with a balance, with my higher studies”.

“I do not wish to compare myself to anyone as each person is unique in their own way, but I certainly strive to live up to my father who is my role model. His principles in life are simple. Always do the right thing even if it puts you at a disadvantage, eventually your time will come and you will be rewarded”.

“Yes. I only do things that I believe to be right and just. I also strongly believe in taking all the opportunities and challenges thrown at me which would be the stepping stones that would eventually make me a better human being”.

“My greatest accomplishment in life is having a tight circle of people whom I can trust and depend on at any given time and to be able to be the same for them”.

“The most common compliment I get is about my smile but the best is when people say it’s a genuine smile”. “The pandemic taught me to spend quality time with the people I care about and never take anything for granted. It also taught me to appreciate the simplest things in life.”.

“Yes, I am happy with all my achievements as all of them have been with hard work but I am still hungry for more”. “The most embarrassing moment on the rugby field which I experienced as a youngster actually was the defining moment of my rugby career. It made me to be strong and humble at the same time. At a particular age group I was asked to take off my jersey just before walking into the field to warm up and was made to be the water boy”.

“In life I like to describe myself as a Simple and un judgmental person” When you grow up I want to be a good human being, who can be dependable and whom my parents and country would be proud to call son”.

“The two things I would want to be remembered for are as an honest and fair person and that’s the kind of legacy I would like to be remembered for” concluded Rashen Bandaranayake.