Stefan D'Silva

Stefan D'Silva
Nationality	Sri Lankan/Australian
Occupation	Author, Superintendent of Corrective Services

Stefan D'Silva is a Sri Lankan-born Australian author, photographer and rugby player.^[1]

S Thomas' College Rugby 1st XV Team 1976 Standing: Avindre de Silva, R Wadugodapitiya, Eraj Gihan Ratnaike, Dyalan Supramanium, Kapila Waidyaratne,Jeya Poniah, Jeyakumar,Shane Pinder, Charith Wickramathilake, Wazil Hafeel Seated: Quentin Israel (Coach) Michael Jayasekera, Darup Pieris, PL Munasinghe, Stefan D'Silva (Captain), Mr SJ Anandanayagam (Warden) Theadore Thambipillai, Wilhelm Bogtsra, Rienzie Fernando

Education and Rugby career

D'Silva was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka and was educated at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. He represented the school's first XV rugby team as a prop forward in 1974. The 1975 team, coached by Quentin Israel, was considered the best ever Thomian Rugby team by sports journalist Sharm de Alwis. D'Silva captained the school team in 1976.^[2] His captaincy skills, robust play and tactics were thought to have inspired his team to retain the Gunaratne trophy against an all conquering Royal team through a hard fought draw in 1976.^[3] He also excelled in athletics winning medals in shot putt and colours in both rugby and athletics. D'Silva went on to represent Havelock Sports Club, playing in the 'A' division league final in 1976, whilst still a schoolboy.^[4]

Professional life

D'Silva emigrated to Australia in April 1977. He joined the New South Wales Prison Service rising to the post of Superintendent of Corrective Services, receiving the award of national clasp, in addition to a long service 25 year award.^[5]

Coaching and support for Sri Lankan rugby

D'Silva's sports career ended with his emigration to Australia but he remained involved with Sri Lankan rugby and in particular contributed to coaching and supporting the rugby team his alma mater S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia, facilitating their attendance at the Melbourne Grammar Rugby Carnival.^[6][7][8]

Author

D'Silva is best known as an author and photographer publishing books on wild life and rural Sri Lanka including Alluring Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka a Way of Life.^[9][10]

Alluring Sri Lanka was reviewed by Raine Wickrematunge with the comments "With this exquisite coffee-tablebook, Stefan D’Silva hopes to create appreciation for the rich diversity of his homeland and dispel the notion that SriLanka is just a bombed-outshell". D'Silva resumed a childhood love for wild life photography following a heart attack at age 42^[11]

References

1. Shalomi Daniel (20 March 2011). "Inspired by everything Sri Lankan". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
2. de Alwis, Sharm (9 July 2010). "A Brief Overview Of Thomian Rugby". The S. Thomas College Old Boys Forum. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
3. "How psychology saved the Thomians". Daily Mirror. 5 January 2005. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
4. Sivendran, S. (27 February 2000). "Non Aligned Nation's Conference". Sunday Times. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
5. "New South Wales Department of Corrective Services - Annual Report 2003/04 - Appendix 20 Honours and Awards" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
6. , Thomiana December 2007 Volume 11 Issue 4, accessed 26 November 2011
7. , Thomiana December 2007 Volume 11 Issue 4, accessed 26 November 2011
8. "Thominian" (PDF). 12 Issue 2. S. Thomas College Old Boys Association - Australia Branch Inc. June 2008: 10. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
9. "About Stefan". D'Silva, Stefan. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
10. Boulland, Claire (22 January 2011). "Stefan D'Silva launches ‘Sri Lanka - A Way of Life’". The Sunday Island. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
11. Wickrematunge, Raine (2008). "Alluring Sri Lanka". 1 Issue #2. The Sri Lankan Society: 26–27. Retrieved 25 November 2011.