Knowlton takes charge of Sri Lanka Rugby Selections

Former Sri Lanka centre and Army officer Colonel Kapila Knowlton has been appointed Chairman of the newly constituted five-member National Rugby Selection Committee for the 2025–26 term, Sports Minister Sunil Kumara announced yesterday (1), according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Knowlton, who represented Sri Lanka from 2000 to 2013 in both Fifteens and Sevens Rugby, was a standout outside back during his playing career. He also captained the Sri Lanka Army team and was widely regarded for his dynamism and leadership on the field.

Beginning his Club career with Army Sports Club in 1997, Knowlton went on to serve as a former skipper of the forces outfit before retiring from the game more than a decade ago.

Commenting on his new role, the former Mahanama College alumnus said the panel is committed to selecting players purely on merit throughout what he described as a demanding year for Sri Lanka Rugby, both locally and internationally.

• Big Wins and a Nittawela Classic Mark Week 6
• CH Silence the Nittawela Fortress With a Last Gasp Penalty Try
• Havelock’s attacking flair and defensive grit destroy Airmen at Park Club
• Chandimal’s brilliant bootwork, helps CH to edge out CR at Longdon Place

“We have a number of tournaments coming up at home and overseas in both Sevens and XVs rugby,” Knowlton told The Daily Morning Sports. “Our focus will be to ensure selections are made strictly on merit. There are many talented young players who are consistently pushing for national recognition, and it will be our responsibility to closely assess them and help clear the pathway for them to progress.”

Joining Knowlton on the selection panel are Rukshani Ariyasena, M. J. M. Mushtaq, Dimithri Jude and Duminda de Silva.

Ariyasena holds the distinction of being Sri Lanka’s first-ever Women’s Rugby Captain. She represented the Sri Lanka Army from 2002 to 2020 and currently serves as the Assistant Coach of the Army Women’s Rugby team, while continuing her role as a Match Commissioner.

Mohamed Mushtaq, an old boy of Zahira College, Colombo, was a winger who represented Sri Lanka in both Sevens and XVs Rugby. He also played Club Rugby for CR and FC from 1997 to 2006.

Dimithri Jude, a former student of St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota, represented Sri Lanka in both formats of the game. A centre by trade, he played Club Rugby for CH and FC and later for Kandy Sports Club.

Duminda de Silva, a lock forward from Trinity College, Kandy, also represented Sri Lanka in both Fifteens and Sevens Rugby and was a stalwart for Kandy Sports Club. He holds the unique distinction of being the first and only player to win the League title with three different clubs – Kandy SC (1993), CR and FC (1998), and CH and FC (2000).

A dual international who excelled in both Rugby and Basketball, De Silva is also a former Mr. Sri Lanka contest winner. He is the sole member retained from the previous National Rugby Selection Committee, which was headed by Sudath Sampath.