I always compare myself to my father who is my hero, says Lakshitha

Lakshitha Gunaratne played and captained the first XV school rugby team as a number eight for his alma mater St.Joseph’s College, Colombo-10 in the Inter-School Rugby tournament. He also played for Sri Lanka national Under 19 team as well as club rugby for Havelock Sports Club as a third row forward.

He Graduated as Master of Business Administration specializing in Finance from university of Southern Queensland and has obtained outstanding results and inclusion in the University of Adelaide School of Economics Merit list for the courses in Macroeconomics II and International Finance III, also Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor Finance from the University of Adelaide, Australia. He also received an Academic award for best studies and sports (Senior) in St. Josephs College. Colombo 10.

Incidentally he is the only son of rugby legend cum Sri Lanka national sevens and fifteen a side captain Rohan Gunaratne.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily News, Lakshitha said “I have been exposed to sports from my younger age, as I grew up in a sporting family. So naturally there is a lot of talk and buzz about sporting events happening around me at that time. at St Joseph’s College, also had a lot of sports, where my peers took part. So naturally I chose sports as well as studies to excel in and that’s the main reason why I entered the world of sport”.

“My parents supported me, being a national rugby captain my dad understood the challenges I would face in the field of sports and in life and supported me throughout my life. My mum being a good caretaker excelled at her duties to make sure I was well nourished and nurtured. My uncle Lal Silva who was also an ex rugby player for Havelock’s has supported me all throughout my life. Now my wife Roshanthi is supporting me and also bringing up my son Avisha who is six years old; hence I’m always grateful to all of them”.

“I was exposed to rugby from quite infant age. I have been to rugby matches where my dad played as an infant and still can recall some memories of my dad’s rugby and basketball games as a toddler. When I was 11 years old I decided to join for rugby practice at St Joseph’s Under 13 team. As my dad was a rugby player I too wanted to follow his footsteps. So it came naturally for me to take up the sport, and that’s the reason why I chose the game of rugby”.

“Being a rugby player is not an easy task, it is hard to put in the hours and resources needed to be a rugby player in this professional era. It takes a lot out of you to train and be fit and also to eat the correct diet in this hectic life where you need to balance a lot of work and educational commitments”.

“My favourite cricketer is Kumar Sangakkara and I love travelling and seeing and experiencing new things. Most of my leisure time is spent on watching Netflix or movies now. As my son has a special interest in marine life I have taken up snorkeling. When there is a time to get away from everyday life I travel down south with my family to snorkel to have a wonderful holiday”.

“My favourite holiday destination is Venice, Italy and listening to the four seasons by Vivaldi by a string quartet in St. Mark’s Square is really memorable”.

“There are a couple of unforgettable incidents that ring a bell in me. Firstly it would be in 1998 and 1999 Joe’s winning the Fr. Basil Wiratunge Shield rugby encounters with St Peters College, hence to date I cherish those moments very much”. “My priorities are towards my family, work and school. My son has started school this year and I want to make sure he settles in St Joseph’s College. I am currently the honorary treasurer of the St Joseph’s College OBU, I want to successfully hand it over to the next committee. I manage the finances at Hiru Life Studio, so I also want my work to go smoothly which I also prioritize as a commitment to work”.

“I always compare myself to my beloved father (Rohan Gunaratne) and he’s undoubtedly my hero”.

“Being qualified as a Chartered Financial Analyst in 2015 and becoming the captain of the 1st XV rugby team in St Joseph’s College in 1999 was my greatest accomplishment in my life”.

“The best compliment I have received was after beating S.Thomas’ College Mt.Lavinia for Lady Jayatilleke Memorial Shield in 1998, rugby legend Anton Benedict complimented me and said – I played like a rampaging number eight, who won the game for St.Joseph’s College”.

“The pandemic has taught me that life is very uncertain, hence to make the most of it”.

“The most embarrassing moment on the rugby field was In the Annual rugby encounter with St. Peters College, where I took a short tap off a five metre penalty, when the scores was tied and ran in to my teammate in front to give the position away for an accidental offside”. “In life I like to describe myself as a friendly and analytical person”

“When I grow up, my biggest dream is to be a scientist to discover a medication that can eliminate sickness”.

“I’d love to be remembered as a person who was best in Sports and Studies at St Joseph’s College” concluded the former St.Joseph’s rugby Captain Lakshitha Gunaratne