Michael Jayasekera

Michael Jayasekera
Nationality Sri Lanka Sri Lankan
Occupation Engineer, Company Director
Known for Rugby Centre Three quarter and Rugby Administrator
S Thomas College 1st XV Rugby Team 1975''' Standing L to R Charith Wickramathilake, Ananda Welikala, Darup Pieris, SKN Fernando, Rienzie Fernando, Shane Pinder, Devaka Fernando, Rohitha Attygalle, Michael Jayasekera, Tushitha Ranasinghe Seated L to R Mr Quentin Israel (Coach), Mahes Abeynaike, Theadore Thambapillai, Pat Jacob, PL Munasinghe (Captain) Mr SJ Anandanayagam (Warden) Stefan D'Silva, Peter Vanniasingham, Loka Thilakaratne, Wilhelm Bogstra, Mr Lassie Abeywardena (Master in Charge)
S Thomas' College Rugby 1st XV Team 1976 Standing: Avindre de Silva, R Wadugodapitiya, Eraj Gihan Ratnaike, Dyalan Supramanium, Kapila Waidyaratne, Jeya Poniah, Jeyakumar, Shane Pinder, Charith Wickramathilake, Wazil Hafeel Seated: Quentin Israel (Coach) Michael Jayasekera, Darup Pieris, PL Munasinghe, Stefan D'Silva (Captain), Mr SJ Anandanayagam (Warden) Theadore Thambipillai, Wilhelm Bogtsra, Rienzie Fernando

Education

Jayasekera was educated at St Peters College Bambalapitiya where he represented the college in First XV Rugby and moved to S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia Sri Lanka, where he won colours in cricket, rugby and athletics. He won the Gold medal in the under 19 110 metres metres Hurdles at the Public Schools Athletics meet in 1975[1] He played First XI cricket in a team captained by Sasi Ganeshan and played as a member of the Sri Lanka Schools under 19 team[2] Other team mates included Saliya Ahangama, Guy de Alwis, Arittha R Wikramanayake and Ishak Shahabdeen. Sharm de Alwis refers to Jayasekera protesting at Trinity's slow scoring by bowling underarm.[3]

School rugby

Jayasekera played for the Rugby first XV in 1975 (under PL Munasinghe) and 1976 (under Stefan D'Silva's captaincy).[4] team mates in rugby included PL Munasinghe, Stefan D'Silva (Author), Rienzie Fernando, Shane Pinder, Dr Peter Vanniasingham and Professor Devaka Fernando in the 1975 Rugby team coached by Quentin Israel later described as "the best Thomian team" by sports journalist Sharm de Alwis.[5]

Club and National Rugby

He went on to represent Havelocks Sports Club and Sri Lanka in a partnership with fellow centre three quarter PL Munasinghe[6][7] Jayasekera is regarded as one of the best threequarters to play rugby between 1968 and 1982.[8][9] He later served as a rugby administrator as Chairman of the board of selectors[10] and Vice President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union. He contested the post of President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union[11]

Professional

He is currently Vice President - Head of Engineering & Projects Leisure Sector at John Keells Holdings

References

  1. ↑ [S Thomas College School Magazines Term 2 and Term 3 1974, Term 2 and 3 1975
  2. ↑ Sasi Ganeshan That unique S. Thomas 1976 team, accessed 26 November 2011
  3. ↑ Articles - Sports - TCK Vs STC almost always fascinating by Sharm de Alwis
  4. ↑
  5. ↑ A Brief Overview Of Thomian Rugby By Sharm de Alwis, accessed 26 November 2011
  6. ↑ 'When the Thomians ‘let loose the dogs of war’' - Courtesy: DailyNewsPosted on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 10:33:44 LKT by SaNDun, accessed 26 November 2011
  7. ↑ A Brief Overview of Thomian rugby
  8. ↑ , Rugby supermen 1968–1982 Rohan Muttiah Island on line
  9. ↑ , Michael Jayasekara was a real star on the rugby field Island Sunday July 18, 2010
  10. ↑ , Jayasekera heads the New Rugby Selection committee Sunday Times Sunday July 18, 2010
  11. ↑ , Will it be Nimal Lewke or Michael Jayasekera? Sunday Observer Sunday JDecember 31st 2006