Stefan D'Silva

Stefan D'Silva
Nationality Sri Lanka Sri Lankan, Australia Australian
Occupation Author, Superintendent of Corrective Services

Stefan D'Silva is a Sri Lankan-born Australian author, photographer and Rugby Player.[1]

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
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 Thmabapillai, 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 1st XV Rugby Football Team 1974 Standing L to R Pat Jacob, Chandana Williams, Anomal de Soysa, Jayanath Karunaratne, Sepala Jayasinghe, Loka Thilakaratne, Mahesa (Tarzan) Abeynaike, Devaka Fernando, Wilhelm Bogtstra, CC Ching Seated Lto R Mr Quentin Israel (Coach), PL Munasinghe, Paul R. Mather, Ranil de Soyza, Peter Vanniasingham(Captain) Mr SJ Anandanayagam (Warden) Mohan Hallock, S Anandakrishna, Stefan D'Silva, Mr Lassie Abeywardena (Master in Charge)

Education and Rugby career

D'Silva was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka and was educated at S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia. He represented the school First XV Rugby Football Team as a Prop forward in 1974 (with Professor Paul R. Mather), 1975 captained by PL Munasinghe, coached by Quentin Israel, which was considered the best ever Thomian Rugby team by sports journalist Sharm de Alwis and captained the team himself in 1976.[2] His captaincy skills, robust play and tactics were thought to have inspired his team to retain the Gunaratne trophy against an all conquering Royal team through a hard fought draw in 1976 .[3] He also excelled in athletics winning medals in Shot Putt and colours in both Rugby and Athletics. Like his coach Quentin Israel and teammates PL Munasinghe, Michael Jayasekera and Shane Pinder he went on to represent Havelocks sports club. He played in the A division rugby cup final in 1976 while still a schoolboy as recorded by rugby coach referee S Sivendran[4]

Professional life

D'Silva emigrated to Australia in April 1977. He joined the prison service rising to the post of Superintendent of Corrective Services New South Wales, receiving the award of National Clasp in addition to a long service 25 year award.[5]

Coaching and support for Sri Lankan rugby

D'Silva's sports career ended with his emigration to Australia but he remained involved with Sri Lankan rugby and in particular contributed to coaching and supporting the rugby team his alma mater S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia as in the case of their attending the Melbourne Grammar Rugby Carnival.[6][7][8]

Career as author

D'Silva is now best known as an author and photographer publishing books on Wild life and rural Sri Lanka such as 'Alluring Sri Lanka and 'Sri Lanka a way of life'.[9][10]

'Alluring Sri Lanka' was reviewed by Raine Wickrematunge with the comments "With this exquisite coffee-tablebook,Stefan D’Silva hopes to create appreciation for the rich diversity of his homeland and dispel the notion that SriLanka is just a bombed-outshell". D'Silva resumed a childhood love for wild life photography following a heart attack at age 42[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Inspired by everything Sri Lankan Shalomi Daniel The Sunday Times Sunday March 20, 2011". Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  2. ↑ "A Brief Overview Of Thomian Rugby By Sharm de Alwis". Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  3. ↑ "How psychology saved the Thomians Daily Mirror Wednesday,". 5 January 2005. Retrieved 2013-08-09.
  4. ↑ "S Sivendran Non Aligned Conference Sunday Time 27th February 2000". Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  5. ↑ "NEW SOUTH WALES DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIVE SERVICES- ANNUAL REPORT 2003/04 APPENDIX 20 HONOURS AND AWARDS". Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  6. ↑ , Thomiana December 2007 Volume 11 Issue 4, accessed 26 November 2011
  7. ↑ , Thomiana December 2007 Volume 11 Issue 4, accessed 26 November 2011
  8. ↑ , accessed 26 November 2011
  9. ↑ "About Stefan". Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  10. ↑ "Stefan D'Silva launches ‘Sri Lanka - A Way of Life’, By Claire Boulland, Sunday Island Sunday November 27th 2011". Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  11. ↑ "Alluring Sri Lanka by Raine Wickrematunge theslsociety.com VOL. 1 ISSUE 2". Retrieved 2011-11-25.