Rahul de Silva, a staunch Wesleyite hails from a family steeped and rich in tradition of a fine sporting background.
It is indeed an honour for him to have made his alma mater Wesley College, Colombo proud by not only representing the school and excelling in sports but also by showing his academic prowess, graduating with a Merit Class Degree in Business & Accounting from University of Swinburne, Melbourne, Australia in 2018.
During his educational tenure at Wesley College, Rahul has many achievements to his credit. While holding the position as the College Deputy Head Prefect in 2013 he honed his leadership qualities and did come with its fair share of responsibilities. His strong sporting DNA embedded in him drew him to taking up sports. He took to cricket and went on to excel in the game by representing the Wesley College first XI cricket team in the inter-schools cricket tournaments.
Cricket however was only to last for a short period of two seasons.
His irresistible thirst and passion for the game of rugby drew him away from continuing his cricket career, a slight deviation from the sport which had representation in his family background at College as well as at national level; he took to rugby, easily as a duck would to water.
A new chapter in his sporting life was to then unfold. Excelling in the game of rugby he went on to represent the alma mater and held the honoured position of captain of the Wesley College first XV rugby team in 2013. As captain he showcased his excellent leadership qualities by leading from the front and established his skills as a fine scrum half.
A noteworthy mention to state here would be is that during his tenure as captain, Wesley College first XV team secured a place in the annals of Wesley rugby by winning the silverware in the Sri Lanka inter-schools premier rugby league Milo President’s Knockout Trophy in the year 2013. An accolade and a ‘first’ that the college received in its 65-year history of the sport. A proud achievement for Rahul, his team, and Wesley indeed!
Rugby being his passion his thirst for the game did not stop here. He went on to represent Sri Lanka at the Under 20 Junior Asiad played in Korea as the vice-captain of the team, and thereafter in the Sri Lanka senior team at the Asiad in 2016 held in Hong Kong, no doubt a feather in his cap.
His achievements on the rugby playing field were far and wide reaching so much so that soon after his schooling career he was immediately absorbed by the Colombo Rugby & Football Club (CR & FC) to represent them in the local rugby league.
However his playing days at CR was short lived as his intentions of pursuing his higher studies in academia compelled him to leave the shores of Sri Lanka and take wing to Australia.
Rugby being his passion he continued to play in Australia through an invitation extended to him by Box Hill RC, ranked as one of the top three rugby clubs in the Melbourne Premier League.
His excellent rugby acumen and skills showcased whilst representing Box Hill RC earned him an invitation to represent Axman, a Melbourne State Rugby Development Squad, a first for a Wesleyite indeed.
Whilst reading for his first degree, on his visits to Sri Lanka during his University semester holidays which coincided with the local rugby season, he had the privilege of being invited by the Havelocks Sports Club to represent them in the local rugby league tournaments.
After graduating at Swinburne, though being offered many employment opportunities in Australia, and being a proud Sri Lankan unlike a vast majority of peer colleagues, he decided to return to his country to pursue a career in Business & Accounting.
“Sri Lanka is my destiny and nothing in the world can be compared to it,” Rahul told the Daily News.
Rahul is now happily relocated in Sri Lanka with his family, and is now focussed on building his career here. As regards to his future in rugby, he has now been invited to represent the CR & FC in the local rugby league championship in the upcoming season, to which he is earnestly looking forward to, as handling the oval ball gives him the highest pleasure only next to spending quality time at home with his family.
Being a proud Wesleyite he is ever so grateful and never fails to thank his alma mater attributing his achievements to the stellar quality education received and diligent following of the Wesley College Motto “Ora-et-Labora” – Work and Pray!
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