Distinguished rugby referee and coach Aruna Rankothge passed away in Kandy aged 52 on Monday (10).

A proud alumnus of St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy Rankothge represented the school’s first XV team from 1989 to 1991.

Afterwards he had continued his rugby career with Kandy Youths CC and Kandy Sports Club between 1992 and 1997, playing as both a flanker and a centre.

Moving into coaching, Rankothge had led his alma mater to the ‘A’ Division of the school’s rugby tournament, highlighted by a famous 6-0 victory over Trinity College, Kandy at Nittawela in 1998.

He had later trained Trinity’s junior rugby teams for several years. Counting over a quarter century of refereeing experience both in Sri Lanka and outside these shores, Aruna Rankothge was an esteemed member of the Asia Rugby’s Elite ‘A’ Panel.

His officiating assignments had taken him to nations including India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Dubai, Philippines, Indonesia and Abu Dhabi.

Notably he had also ‘blown’ at the Under-20 Junior World Cup qualifying matches in China (2004), Korea (2008) and the Philippines (2009) and he was also selected for the South East Asian Rugby Sevens in Thailand (2007).

The late Aruna Rankothge had also controlled high-profile matches such as the Asian Five Nations encounter between Arabian Gulf and Hong Kong in Dubai and the India versus Kazakhstan match as an Assistant Referee. 

He also took part in the Dubai Sevens in December 2010 and 2011. Serving as Vice President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Referees Society on multiple occasions, Rankothge was an ’A’ Division Referee, former International Panel Referee, ARFU ‘A’ Panel Referee, Level 3 Qualified Referee and Level 2 TMO.

Rankothge’s contributions to rugby as a player, coach, and referee, has left an indelible mark on the sport and his legacy is sure to inspire future generations. His funeral is set to take place at the Mahaiyawa Cemetery Kandy today (12).

(JK)