by Hafiz Marikar in Kandy

Japana Jayawardena the former Trinity College, Combined Schools, Havelocks SC, Army SC, Defence Services and Sri Lanka scrum half was elected president of the newly formed Central Province Rugby Referee’s Society at a meeting held at the Kandy SC club house, Nittawela on Sunday.

Jayawardene, who was at one time the president of the Sri Lanka Rugby Referee’s Society, has promised his fullest backing for the referees in the hills.

Jayawardene expressed his thanks to CPRFU president Maurice Perera for calling for the meeting, to form the first ever referee’s society in the hills. It was Maurice who recognised the shortcomings and the need for the referee’s society. Maurice Perera has also been instrumental in introducing the game to Wasgama, Hanguranketha and also introduced the game to the girls schools in Kandy.

He will serve as the CPRFU representative in this referees’ committee.

Former Trinity ruggerites, Iswan Omar and Dharmasiri Madugalle who played for Kandy SC were elected as the two vice presidents.

Schoolmaster S. Liyanage is the secretary with Leslie de Zoysa the Treasurer.

A committee of seven, all top class past ruggerites, was elected.