Writingi n the New Zealand Herald, Mel Gunasekera reports how the game is growing in Sri Lanka.
"It's a long way off rugby's beaten track, but steamy, jungle-clad Sri Lanka is a little-known haven for the sport in Asia, with even school matches attracting television audiences of millions.
"In a country better known for its cricket, tea exports and bitter civil war, Sri Lanka has quietly nurtured a large playing population with an aspirational bent which makes rugby a daily feature on both the sport and society pages.
"President Mahinda Rajapakse, whose three sons play - including one who is a flanker for the national team - regularly attends games with his family, putting them firmly in the media and political spotlight.
"This year, Sri Lanka broke through into the elite Asian Five Nations tournament for the first time, raising hopes of further national successes."
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