LEGACY OF 2000 BLUE BLACK EXPRESS

How Coach Nimal Lewke, Gavin Jayasekera, and Jivan Goonetilleke forged a champion team that remains unmatched 25 years later

- By ALLAAM OUSMAN

Twenty-five years ago, a band of ordinary schoolboys led by Gavin Jayasekera and coached by Senior DIG Nimal Lewke etched their names into Thomian rugby folklore. The year was 2000, and S. Thomas' College Mount Lavinia then struggling after nearly a decade of decline rose from obscurity to become unbeaten champions in the schools league. To this day, it remains the school's last perfect season.

As the silver jubilee of that triumph approaches, Gavin, his successor as captain Jivan Goonetilleke, and coach Lewke come together in a reflective union to recall the discipline, belief, and brotherhood that turned an unlikely squad into a rugby juggernaut.

In 1998, S. Thomas' was on the ropes. Once a powerhouse in school rugby, the team had slipped into mediocrity. Enter Nimal Lewke — not your average school coach, but a decorated Special Task Force (STF) officer, a rugby tactician from the golden era of Kandy SC, and a man on a mission.

"He didn’t just bring a whistle," said Jivan, who captained in 2001. "He brought military discipline, belief, and unmatched leadership. He took over when we were at rock bottom. Everyone said it would take 15 years to rebuild. Sir said three."

"In 1998, Thomian rugby was at its lowest," recalls Jivan. "We hadn’t won a league since 1991 and were written off by most. But Sir — Lewke changed that overnight."

One of the most successful coaches in local rugby, Lewke came in not just to coach, but to transform. With his background in military discipline, combat leadership, and a championship pedigree from Kandy SC, he saw potential where others saw mediocrity.

"When I took over, I told them: give me three years and I’ll make you champions," Lewke said. "But the change started immediately — with discipline, commitment, and belief."

Discipline wasn’t a buzzword — it was gospel.