The CH & FC club, which is better known as the Gymkhana Club, has announced their captains and other officials for the upcoming club rugby league and knockout seasons.
Prolific and dynamic three-quarter and Sri Lankan XV’s and 7’s player, Janidu Dilshan, is set to captain the CH & FC outfit for yet another year. Janidu started his playing career as a schoolboy in Piliyandala Central College, and his remarkable performance and unwavering commitment gave him a chance to join the prestigious Royal College, Colombo 07. After an impressive schooling career at the Royal College, Janidu contracted with the CR & FC club, and he stayed with them for a short but vibrant stint. Then Janidu crossed over to the Gymkhana Club, and since then he has been a key figure behind the rise of the club.
>>Shammi Silva at the helm of Colombo Gymkhana Club<<
Janidu Dilshan is a versatile player who can adjust to play as a centre, wing and even in the full-back position. Further, Janidu can be introduced as a high-octane player with a pure pace, and his agility may give the cutting edge to any side that he features on.
Janidu Dilshan with the national jersey against the New Zealand under 85kg side
The versatile forward, Dhanushka Malitha, has retained his position as vice captain, and he will play an instrumental role as a flanker, hooker and even as a No. 8 of the side. Further, he had to carry out the duties as the pack leader of the side to find out the synergy among their forwards. Alongside him, the nippy half-back who can also play as a fly-half, Maliksha Perera, is the newly appointed co-vice captain of the club. He will definitely assist Janidu to bring the best out of their backs division.
Their long-standing coach, old Thomian player Rohitha Rajapaksha, will be the head coach of the side. The veteran coach, Terrance Henry, who guided his alma mater, Wesley College, to a runner-up finish in the 2024 Schools League, will feature as the assistant coach (forwards unit). Terrance, the former Sri Lankan, CR and FC and Havelocks prop forward, is a talented player as well as an experienced coach who can bring the best out of the players. Further, the former St Peter’s College, Havelocks, CH & FC and Sri Lankan three-quarter player, Lakala Perera, will once again look after the club’s backs division. Still, it is not clear whether their influential coach, Sanath Martis, will feature in the coaching department.
CH & FC – Captains and officials for 2025/2026 club rugby season
- Captain – Janidu Dilshan
- Vice Captain – Dhanushka Malitha
- Co-vice captain – Maliksha Perera
- Head Coach – Rohitha Rajapakshe
- Forwards Coach – Henry Terrance/
- Backs Coach – Lakala Perera
- Chairman – Shammi Silva
- Rugby Convener – Major (rtd) Tanesh Dias
- Trainer – Gayan Weerarathne
- Manageress – Udani Weeraratne
- Data Analyst and Rugby Statsman – Spencer Leon
