New task for Jayantha Jayawardena

by Hafiz Marikar

Former Trinity College rugby captain Jayantha Jayewardene has been appointed the new Chairman of the Coconut Research Institute. Jayawardena was a classic, strong and powerful lock forward, during his school and club (Kandy SC) days and first played under the late Denzil Kobbekaduwa in 1959.

He captained Trinity in 1961 as well as the Outstation Schools against Colombo Schools in the annual Gratien Cup game, the most prestigious trophy at that time for school competition.

At one time he was a national rugby selector and also held many positions in the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union body and was one of the finest coaches.

He served as tea plantation superintendent for 18 years before joining the Mahaweli Development Project under the late Gamini Dissanayake.

He is also an internationally renowned wildlife conservationist.