The appointment of Rajeew Perera as Head Coach of St. Peter’s College rugby has now ignited serious concern among the Peterite rugby fraternity, leaving many baffled at how a man sacked for irresponsibility and ineffectiveness could now be entrusted with one of the country’s most prestigious school rugby programs.
Sri Lions Axe Their Own Head Coach
Perera’s dismissal from Sri Lions Sports Club was neither sudden nor unexpected. The “A” Division outfit cut ties with him after citing gross irresponsibility and consistent underperformance. Whispers of discontent amongst the club players that had cascaded upwards towards the management had circulated for months: Perera was accused of transforming Sri Lions into a Peterite feeder camp, flooding the squad with players from his alma mater while sidelining others in blatant displays of favoritism.
The numbers painted a damning picture. Poor results forced Sri Lions to also sever ties with seven contracted players whilst the club’s statistics under Head Coach Perera were well-documented as utter failures. Even this season, he lobbied for four ex-Peterites to be signed; the management approved only two, choosing instead to award contracts to more deserving players from other schools.
In his place, Sri Lions have now appointed Dulanjana Wijesinghe as their new Head Coach. A former Wesley College standout who represented his school in 2008 and 2009, Wijesinghe has steadily risen in the coaching ranks, most recently guiding St. Joseph’s College last season. His appointment signals a fresh start for Sri Lions, moving on from the shadow of controversy left by Perera.
A History of Power Plays
This is not Perera’s first brush with rugby politics. In 2014, the then assistant national coach Sanath Martis was controversially removed during the presidency of Asanga Seneviratne, only for Perera to slip into the role under the guise of foreign rugby coach/advisor Ravin Duplessis’ involvement. Many believe Pika Perera has repeatedly thrived by maneuvering behind the scenes, not by results on the field.
The rivalry with Martis resurfaced at St. Peter’s once again, where whispers persist that Perera and a faction of old boys orchestrated Martis’ ouster so he could take over the helm. The pattern is too familiar: favoritism, political alliances, and opportunism trumping fairness and performance.
Friends in High Places
Perera’s strong ties to powerbrokers add fuel to speculation. He is widely known to enjoy the patronage of former SLR President Asanga Seneviratne and current SLR President Pavithra “Pavi” Fernando. Insiders suggest that his sacking by Sri Lions may not spell the end of his coaching career at all, with expectations that the current SLR President Pavi Fernando will compensate him with a position within the SLR setup.
What This Means for St. Peter’s College
For St. Peter’s College, the appointment is a reputational risk. By hiring a coach now publicly branded irresponsible and underperforming, the school risks undermining its rugby tradition of excellence. Parents and players who expect professionalism and integrity now face the optics of a leadership compromised by politics and favoritism.
The contrast is glaring: Sri Lions have moved forward with a fresh, capable coach in Dulanjana Wijesinghe, while St. Peter’s has bet on a figure dogged by controversy and failure.
For Perera, no amount of favoritism or political patronage can erase the shadow of irresponsibility and underperformance. For St. Peter’s, the gamble could prove costly, tarnishing a proud legacy with a decision that reeks more of backroom politics than sporting merit.
