Sri Lanka Rugby has entered a new chapter with the appointment of ex-national Skipper and Rugby maestro Dushantha Lewke as head Coach of the national XV’s outfit, a move widely seen as both strategic and symbolic for the sport’s future in the country. Further, ex-Sri Lankan Nos. 08 Shamly Nawaz and Leonard de Zilwa have been appointed as the Head Coaches of the National 7s and National Women’s sides, respectively.
National XV’s Rugby Team
Dushantha Lewkes’ rise to the helm came not as an accident, but as a product of years-long hard work and commitment in the utterly challenging field of coaching. Earlier, he served as the Forwards Coach of the National XVs side during the 2025 Asia Rugby Top Four Tournament. Recently, he successfully guided his home club, CR & FC, to a historic League and Clifford Cup “Double Crown”. During the concluded Maliban Inter-Club League, his side managed to beat the title-contending Kandy SC outfit on three occasions by etching a historical season for the Red Shirts. A couple of years ago, Lewke steered the CR & FC to their first League title in two decades. During his tenure as Royal College Head Coach (2018–2025), he secured multiple league titles and seven consecutive Bradby Shield wins. This unique coaching talent has already achieved the rare milestone of World Rugby Level 3 coaching accreditation.
Lewke’s long-standing CR & FC mate and former Sri Lankan and Wesley front rower, Henry Terrance, has been appointed as the Forwards Coach of the side, where he carried out the same duty under the seasoned coach Sanath Martis. The current CH & FC Forwards Coach, Henry, has successfully guided his alma mater to a runner-up finish in the 2024 Schools Rugby League. Apart from that, he steered Wesley’s outfit to “President’s Trophy” glory in 2013 and again in 2023–2024.
Further, the National Sevens and ex-Isipathana player and experienced Coach, Lasintha de Costa, will look after the three quarters of the Tuskers. Previously, he had served as Head Coach for Isipathana College and Dharmaraja College and as Backs Coach for CR&FC, leading them to the 2023 Clifford Cup and 2024 League Championship. He currently serves as the 1st XV Assistant Coach (backs) for S. Thomas’ College, Mt Lavinia.
Physio – Tharanga Premakumara
Strength & Conditioning Coach – Vishwamithra Jayasinghe.
This year, Dushanth Lewke’s lads have a tough challenge to tackle, as the Tuskers will host the New Zealand U85kg team again for two Tests scheduled on 25th April (Colombo) and for 3rd May (Kandy). With that preparation they will feature in the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship and will compete against the Asian giants from Hong Kong, South Korea and the UAE.
National 7’s Rugby Team
In the shooter version of the game, local Rugby administrators have reappointed Shamly Nawaz by considering the impressive performance of Tuskers during the last season of the Asian Sevens Emirates Championships. There, the Sri Lankan Men’s outfit secured a joint podium finish along with the Chinese outfit.
The former Isipathana, Sri Lankan and CR & FC player Shamly Nawaz seamlessly transferred into the field of coaching and, since then, has emerged as a prominent figure in the Rugby arena. His expert guidance stood as a pillar of success for many victories at the Club and School circuits. As far as national duties are concerned, Shamly served as the Head Coach of the Sri Lanka Under-20 Sevens teams (both Boys’ and Girls’) and the Women’s national team. Further, Nawaz achieved a rare feat by qualifying as a World Rugby Level 3 accredited Coach as well as an educator.
Nawaz will be supported by ex-national and Kandy, Navy and CR & FC scrumhalf Amjad Buksh in the capacity of assistant Coach. With this maiden national coaching duty the current Wesley College’s Backs Coach, Buksh, embarks on a new journey by aiming for greater heights. By marking another interesting move, former Sri Lankan 7s Skipper and former St Anthony’s College and Kandy SC playmaker Danush Dayan assumed the duties as an intern coach.
Strength & Conditioning Coach – Dilan Zoysa
Physio – Shafin Majid
Sri Lanka expects a busy 7s schedule by keeping their prime target on a podium finish at the Asian Games (October 2026), Japan. Sri Lanka will also feature in the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series as usual, where they will host the second round from 17th to 18th October at the Colombo Racecourse Grounds. Further, the National Sevens outfit will feature in a few other Asian and European invitational 7’s Tournaments as a preparation for the above Asian tournaments.
National Women’s Rugby Team
Former Peterite and Sri Lanka (in both XVs and 7s) player and ex-Havelock SC captain Leonard de Zilwa has been named as the Head Coach of the Sri Lanka Women’s Rugby outfit. He is not a stranger to the local Rugby circuit, and has vast coaching experience at both Club and School levels. Apart from domestic assignments, he had served as the Assistant Coach for the Sri Lanka Men’s National 7s team from 2008 to 2012. Leonard also guided the Nepal National Rugby outfit for a short but vibrant stint. Leonard will be assisted by the former Zahira College, CR & FC, Navy SC, and CH & FC player and experienced Coach M. Saldeen.
Physio – Nimesh de Silva
With this well-experienced and talented coaching and supporting staff, Sri Lankan Rugby is optimistic that the boys and girls will regain momentum and reassert their place on the regional stage.
Photo Credit: Sri Lanka Rugby
