He played for the Ceylon cricket team and his most famous feat was getting Sir Donald Bradman out on his last appearance in Colombo, in a one-day match between Australia and All-Ceylon on 27 March 1948.

From February 1955 to November 1959, he served as the commanding officer of the 1 Battalion, Ceylon Light Infantry having been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Given that the officers connected to the attempted coup were all Christian, Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike had preferred appointing Udugama over the more senior Heyn, given that the former was a Buddhist and kinsmen from a Kandyan Radala family.

In July 1966, Major General Udugama was suspended and arrested under emergency regulations following allegations of attempting to stage a coup against the government of Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake.

Richard represented Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) at Field Hockey and played Cricket at top-grade club level.

David represented Sri Lanka at Cricket and played Field Hockey at top-grade club level.