Having come through the ranks of Royal College, Navaratnam went on to represent Ceylon rugby team in the 1940s and 1950s.

He was also one of the three local native Sri Lankans to represent the Sri Lankan national team which had then been dubbed 'All-White Sri Lanka.'

Born in Jaffna, Navaratnam was a super star for CR and FC during the 1950s where most notably he led the Red Shirts to Clifford Cup Victory in 1954.

At the end of his playing career, he took up coaching. He gave away Royal College his services for free for many years.

Navaratnam married twice and as he recalled he met both his wives within the rugby community. He was first married to Rosemary Rogers, the bestselling author, with whom he raised two children. His second marriage was to Romaine de Zilwa