Former National, Kandy SC and Kingswood skipper and current Trinity College Head Coach, Fazil Marija, has been re-appointed as the Head Coach of the League and knockout title holders, Kandy Sports, targeting the upcoming Sri Lanka Rugby Maliban Inter-Club season. Fazil is the only person in Sri Lanka to clinch the Interschool League and Inter-club League titles as a captain as well as the head coach.
Marija needs no introduction to the rugby fraternity of the country and has excelled in both 15’s and 7’s formats for both club and country with distinction. Marija hails from Katugastota, Kandy, and learnt the ABCs of rugby at his alma mater, Kingswood College. The year 2004 was a golden year for Kingswood College, as they were unbeaten triple-crowned champions by winning the league, knockout, and sevens titles under the captaincy of Marija.
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The stylish fly-half made his debut for the Sri Lanka national team while still in school. Without any wait, he got a call-up from the prestigious Kandy Sports Club and soon he was an indispensable component for Kandy SC. Further, Marija can be introduced as a born leader who always inspires other players to tackle any sort of challenge.
The living legend, Marija, is widely regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s best playmakers. His marvellous kicking abilities, unmatched performances and tactical insight of the game gave the cutting edge to every side that he represented. Though rugby is all about teamwork, Marija’s individual brilliance was instrumental behind the many titles that Kandy SC had won during his tenure.
After an impressive playing career, Marija hung up his boots at the end of the 2017/18 club rugby season and seamlessly transferred into the coaching field. Marija successfully transformed to the coaching role by assisting his co-player Sean Wijesinghe as the backs coach of the club. After his departure, Marija was sworn in as the head coach of the champion outfit. His inclusion in the coaching panel triggered a strong player-coach relationship and a new rugby culture from the top to the bottom. Under his coaching Kandy SC displayed a visible advancement in their technicality of play, and he managed to introduce a fast-paced rugby strategy to the hill country club.
The back-to-back league titles that were won by Kandy SC and the resurgence of Trinity College to win the league title after 38 years can be pointed to as a testament to the brilliance of Marija in the field of rugby coaching. Further, Marija never likes to be in a comfortable zone, and he always welcomes challenges. This year Kandy SC decided to trust the local players without contacting foreign players in their title defence mission. Though it’s disadvantageous, according to the experts, Marija’s men are capable of tackling any side on the field, and another title is almost on the cards for the Kandy SC.
Further, the former standout player and current Assistant Coach of Trinity College, Sanushka Abeywickrema, will feature as the Forwards Coach of Kandy Sports Club while being the deputy to Marija. Kandy SC’s openside flanker of the last club season hung up his boots early this year after a splendid career with Kandy SC from 2017 to 2025.
During this season, Kandy SC will be led by the former Kingswood and National player and the dynamic flanker Tharindu Chathuranga, who is better known as Eheli.
Kandy Sports Club – Captains and officials for 2025/2026 Club Rugby Season
Team Captain – Tharindu Chathuranga
Head Coach – Fazil Marija
Assistant Coach (Forwards) – Sanushka Abeywickrama
Strength & Conditioning Coach – Tharaka Algama
Rugby Chairman – Mahesh Weerasinghe
Physio – Sanjeewa Perera (Mobby)
Team Manager – Kapila Silva
Supporting Staff – N. Sivakumar
