Sri Lanka’s rugby fraternity mourned the passing away of a former Police rugby stalwart Sumith Silva this week.
A former Senior Superintendent of Police, Sumith Silva was an ex-president of the Western Province Rugby Union and served as Rugby Secretary of Police and was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union.
He is the older brother of Inspector of Police, the late Rahula Silva, who were both six footers and hugely built. Both Sumith and Rahula were the vital cogs during the early years of Police rugby.
“Sumith was my prop forward along with Rodney Aluwihare, and his younger brother Rahula was a fearless flanker. They were the mainstay in the Police team during the formative days in its quest for supremacy in local rugby with outstanding players from leading schools such as Royal College, Trinity College and St Peter’s College namely James Senaratne, Michael Schockman, SS Bambaradeniya, P. Mahendran, Leslie Ephreums, Munidasa Gomes, Terry Williams and Raja Pothuhera,” said former Police captain S. Sivendran in his Facebook post.
“They were a treat to watch when they entertained the crowds after a rugby game singing and strumming their guitars. DIG Sidney Zoysa who was in charge of Police rugby had a special affection for both of them. Rahula passed away early and Sumith went on to be an SSP in charge of security to President J.R. Jayawardane. He was an unassuming officer who was always with a smile even in the worst of times. May he enter the pearly gates with grace,” wrote Sivendran, eulogizing a dear colleague.