He read a game like a book and was quick to analyze why a side won or lost. He was a true legend, said Ms. Tarini Rodrigo Vosper, Mahesa’s only daughter, at the ceremony to honour the late Mahesa Rodrigo by naming the home dressing rooms of the Royal College Sports Complex, in his memory. She thanked the Principal and Royalists past and present for the tribute to her late father.
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| Upali Gunasekera Royal’s Principal, with the Late Mahesha Rodrigo’s family. Pictures by Ranjith Perera |
The event took place on Thursday amidst a large gathering of Royalists young and old. Mahesa Rodrigo was often referred to as ‘Master of both bat and boot’ and captained Royal College’s cricket and rugby teams in 1946.
Rodrigo was a double international who represented the country in both cricket and rugby.
He carved out a unique place for himself in history as a man whose talents remain unsurpassed.
The Commemoration Ceremony was attended by the school Principal Upali Gunasekera, members of the Royal College Rugby Advisory Committee, eminent old rugby players of all generations prominent amongst them being Lakshman Kaluarachchi, Dr. Fred Pereira, Lasitha Gunaratne and Malik Samarawickreme to name but a few, the present rugby team and family members of the late Mahesa Rodrigo.
The ceremony commenced with the unveiling of a plaque by Royal’s Principal Upali Gunasekera who said Mahesa Rodrigo will be remembered as a sportsman par excellence who was a mastermind in the rugby field.
He brought many glories to the school and also to the country.
U.L. Kaluarachchi a former Royal rugby captain spoke on behalf of the many generations of Royal rugby players who fondly remembered this sporting icon.
Kaluarachchi in his address said, “Mahesa Rodrigo was a mighty giant on and of the field. His famous words always were: Accept defeat with dignity. Do not gloat over victory and do not despair in defeat.”
Mahesa Rodrigo, an unforgettable figure in Royal’s sporting history, was celebrated for his remarkable contributions to rugby as a player, captain, coach, administrator and sporting ambassador. Mahesa brought his passion and brilliance to sports having captained his school rugby and cricket teams in 1946. He went on to play for and become a lifetime member of SSC and CR&FC, the latter team which he captained in 1952.
In 1948 Rodrigo played for Sri Lanka (Ceylon) in the national rugby team and became the first Sri Lankan to captain Ceylon in a team dominated by Europeans.
He also made his debut in the international cricket arena when he represented Ceylon.
He would have even captained Ceylon at cricket if he had not given up the game. |
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