Ajith Abeyratne
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| Born | 1948 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Died | 25 October 2023 (aged 75) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Trinity College, Kandy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ajith Abeyratne (1948 – 25 October 2023) was a Sri Lankan rugby union player, administrator, commentator and coach.
During his schooling days at Trinity College, he excelled in numerous sports including rugby, cricket, basketball, tennis, athletics and basketball. He began playing rugby at school level at the age of 15.[1] He rose to prominence and limelight as a household name in Kandy for his sporting pedigree. He made his fully-fledged rugby debut for Trinity First XV outfit in 1965. He began his rugby career as a second row forward.[2]
Abeyratne captained the Trinity College school rugby teams in 1967 and 1968. He subsequently won the school colours and the prestigious coveted Lion in rugby. He was also adjudged as the best all-round student in 1968 for which he was conferred with the prestigious Ryde Gold Medal. He was an integral member of Trinity rugby side which clinched both legs of the Bradby Shield in 1967 to become overall champions.[3][4] He also thrived in cricket as he famously scored a quickfire 62 ball century in a span of just 69 minutes in a schools cricket match against Royal College in 1968 at Asgiriya Stadium and it remains the fastest century recorded by a batsman in a schools match encounter between Trinity College and Royal College.[5]
Abeyratne also eventually represented Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club in club rugby between 1968 and 1974. He also went onto play for Sri Lanka national rugby union team from 1968 to 1971.