COLOMBO, October 6 (ePRESS) – Few men have left such a deep mark on Sri Lankan rugby as Rajeew Perera, a player, captain, and coach who has turned passion into purpose and continues to build bridges between generations of players. From the green of Bambalapitiya to the national jersey, Perera’s journey demonstrates the spirit of a man who never stopped driving forward – both on and off the field.
Perera’s story is not about overnight glory but about steady, disciplined progression — the kind that defines a true rugby brain. For over 14 years, he stood tall for Havelock Sports Club, one of the country’s most celebrated rugby institutions. As a player, he was known for his tactical intelligence, safe hands, and uncompromising defence. Later, as captain, he led from the front with quiet authority, before taking on the clipboard to guide the same club to silverware — a rare double act that few achieve in club rugby.
But Perera’s rugby roots run much deeper. At St. Peter’s College, the cradle of many fine national players, he was a star who earned College Colours for his consistency and courage. In 2016, his alma mater honoured him again with the prestigious Peterite Honours Award, sealing his place among the school’s most respected rugby sons.
His playing career also featured the proudest moment for any Sri Lankan — wearing the national jersey. Perera represented Sri Lanka for over five years, and was part of the historic Asian Five Nations A Division triumph, a milestone that still resonates in the island’s rugby circles.
After hanging up his boots, Perera simply shifted from boots to board — and his results as a coach have been just as impressive. He has handled some of the biggest names in local rugby, including Havelock SC, CH & FC, Police SC, and now the rising Sri Lions SC, apart from grooming the next generation at St. Peter’s College.
Under his direction, the Sri Lanka Sevens team turned a corner between 2015 and 2018, capturing the Plate Championship in Borneo and climbing to No. 2 in Asia — a feat that underlined his knack for reading the modern sevens game. Recently, as Assistant Coach cum Manager, Perera helped the Sri Lanka Sevens side clinch a top-four finish at the Asian Emirates Sevens Series first leg in China, proving that his influence remains vital in shaping national success.
Yet, perhaps his most enduring legacy lies in the youth pathways. Perera’s commitment to nurturing young talent has been unyielding. He guided the Sri Lanka Under-19 XVs and Sevens, and as Assistant Coach cum Manager, was instrumental in leading the Under-20 Asian Sevens Championship-winning team, which still stands as Sri Lanka’s highest achievement at that level.
Rajeew Perera often sums up his philosophy simply: “Rugby isn’t just about the scoreboard – it’s about shaping men who play with heart.” It is this belief that drives him to push players to think, act, and lead both on and off the pitch.
In rugby parlance, Perera is a man who “takes the hit and keeps driving forward.” His methods blend modern professionalism with an old-school sense of loyalty. Whether motivating schoolboys or national players, he has earned a reputation as a mentor who demands excellence but never loses the human touch.
As Sri Lankan rugby looks to rebuild and rediscover its identity, Rajeew Perera’s story offers both inspiration and direction — that success is not only about winning matches but building men who play with pride.
He remains, above all, a true Peterite and a tireless servant of the game, proving once again that rugby’s greatest strength lies in its people — those who live the game, lead the game, and leave the game stronger than they found it.
