The annual general meeting of the Central Province Rugby Football Union will take place this morning at 10.00 a.m. at the Kandy Club hall. The Central Province Rugby Football Union (CPRFU) is the governing body for rugby union in Central Province. This Union was established in 1992 and is conducted in accordance with the SLRFU guidelines and constitution.

The founder clubs are Kandy SC, Dambulla A & CC, Dickoya Maskeliya CC, and Peradeniya University, later OTSC and Kandy Youth, all of whom have at one time or another competed in the Sri Lanka Rugby ‘A’ Division competition. The CPRFU also embarked in forming ‘B’ division clubs, which included Katugastota Rugby Football Club, Polgolla Rugby Football Club, Mawilmada Rugby Football Club, Matale Rugby Football Club, Nuwara Eliya Rugby Football Club and Pilimatalawa Rugby Football Club and by 2008 had 18 clubs playing in the up-country rugby league.

There are 52 schools in the Central Province engaged in rugby apart from the Schools Association schools teams, Trinity, Kingswood, St. Anthony’s, Dharmaraja, St. Sylvester’s, Sri Rahula, Sri Sumangala and Vidyartha. Rugby is a popular and growing team sport played in Kandy, one a division club and eight schools. The game enjoys widespread popularity.

One of the top sports administrators, one time Central Province Rugby Football Union president Lionel Almeida who died eleven years ago was a rugby legend. A product of Royal College he led the rugby and hockey teams and also played cricket for Royal “A” team. He captained the Combined Schools rugby team in 1956 with nine Trinitians against a team which was a virtual All-Ceylon composition; his instructions to ‘run the ball’ helped them to go down fighting.

After leaving school he, took to tea planting when the Europeans held sway. He continued his rugby and turned out for Dimbulla A & CC, Dickoya MCC, Uva Gymkhana Club, Up-Country, CR & FC. and All-Ceylon with distinction. He has played in every position in the three quarter line He operated from the base of the scrum, fly-half, centre three-quarter, wing three-quarter and full back.

He was also a referee and played golf After giving up tea planting took to administration and was the Chairman of Milco and later Chief Executive of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) and also the Tamil Union C & AC.

He was also President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) in 1989 and 1990 of which he was made a life member. He was also a Vice-Patron and Trustee of the Havelock SC.During the JVP insurrection he was able to convince the ARFU to change their decision of shifting the Rugby Asiad to Malaysia and it was held in Colombo as scheduled in October 1990.

One of the best games,he played for CR & FC was when he ran 75 yards against the Dim-Dicks, dummying past Chris Bean, Cameron and Ralph Gauder. Then again in 1959 playing for All Ceylon against the combined strength of Oxford/Cambridge which team had nine Internationals,’ he booted the ball in a splendid attack of today’s lost art of dribbling to touch down under the posts. He was one time president of the Central Province Rugby Football Union and gave his best for the game. This writer, Maurice Perera, Iswan Omar too were in the committee during his presidency.

Second year coloursman, left hand bat and wicket keeper Hetti Arachchige Chihan Kalindu of St. Servatius College, Matara represented Sri Lanka under 19 Team against Bangladesh in Bangladesh last September and he played in a Test and a One Dayer. In 2018 when Australian under 19 team toured Sri Lanka he played for the Sri Lanka Under 19 Team at SSC grounds, Colombo.

His first school was Moneragala Royal National School and he commenced cricket at the age of six and his school played a Kids Big Match against Mahanama College, Moneragala and it was a hard ball game and his first cricket coach at Moneragala Royal was K. M. Nilantha Prasad. Prior to selecting the team they had Inter Class Soft Ball Cricket Tournament and he performed well and he was selected for the Kids Big Match and won the Best Batsman’s Award.

Chihan Kalindu

He was a unanimous choice for the under 13 team and his coach was Sarath Bandara and he captained the under 13 and 15 teams. The under 15 team was coached by Rajaratna. His second year in the under 13 in 2013/14 he scored 255 runs and in the under 15 first year he passed the 300 run mark and in his second year he got 590 runs with two centuries and the top score being 146 runs against St. Thomas College, Bandarawela and he collected three fifties too. He played for the under 15 Prima Cup in the District Team for two years and in his second year he captained the team. Representing Uva Province he captained the Inter Provincial Tournament team.

When he was under 17 his talents were noticed by Ruchira Palliyaguru and he encouraged him to join St. Servatius College. There A. M. Priyantha, T. D. Munasinghe and presently Hiran Gunawardene are his coaches. In his first year in the under 17 in 2017 Servatius won the all island under 17 championship and he scored 350 runs and in the following year he passed the 300 run mark. Playing in the under 19 team in 2017 he scored 550 runs with three fifties and the top score being 95 against Rahula, Matara and had 26 victims. He scored 112 runs in the Big Match against their arch rivals Matara Thomians.

In the last season he scored 850 runs with 105 runs against Maris Stella and five fifties and claimed 32 victims behind the stumps.

In 2018 he played for under 19 Provincial Team for Uva Province and in 2019 represented the Galle Team in the Super Provincial Cricket Tournament and scored 76 against Kandy and 42 against Colombo. He got an opportunity to lead his Alma Mater in four outings.

He represented the Burgher Recreation Club in the under 23 tournament organized by Sri Lanka Cricket and made a tour to India with the Colombo Cricket Club in 2015.

He was selected to the Sri Lanka under 19 team due to his performances at the Inter- Provincial Tournament.

Sri Lanka’s World Cup winning cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga is likely to be elected as President of the Sri Lanka Elle Federation at the annual general meeting scheduled to be held on August 29..

He has already submitted a plan to improve the poor man’s sport of Elle after discussion with veteran Elle players of Sri Lanka. He said he was disgusted with the cricket administration as they did not make use of his vast knowledge and experience to promote cricket in the country and has no intention of coming into cricket administration again. He has served as the Chairman of the Cricket Interim Committee and led Sri Lanka to its only World Cup victory when they beat Australia by seven wickets in the Wills World Cup final played in Lahore, Pakistan in March 1996.

A poor man’s sport like Elle could be developed with the proper guidance of administrators and sponsorship and he is confident that he can contribute immensely to the promotion of this sport which is so popular in rural areas of the country.

Former Royal Skipper, CR and FC, Kandy SC and Sri Lanka centre Ted Hiran Muttiah was unanimously elected as president of CR and FC, at the Annual General Meeting of the Club held recently.

Muttiah a hard running centre and resolute tackler played for Royal College from 1980 to 1982 captaining in the final year and after the school season he turned out for Kandy Sports Club in the SLRFU knock-out rugby tournament along with Trinity's Ashan Ratwatte and Thusith Seneviratne.

In the following year he joined CR and FC and donned the Red Jersey in 1983 and 1984. He was picked for the Sri Lanka Rugby team which played in the Rugby Asiad in Fukuoka City Japan in 1984 and had a memorable debut by scoring two dazzling tries against Malaysia which resulted in Sri Lanka's solitary win by 14-12 in the Asiad. Hiran hails from a sporting family with his brothers Rohan (1980)and Ranjan (1983 and 1984) turning out for Royal College. His uncle Tyrell Muttiah also played with distinction for Royal College Kelani Valley and Sri Lanka and later served as secretary of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union. His cousin Jehan Canagaratne represented Royal College in 1984 and 1985 and the Sri Lanka Youth Rugby team in Chinese Taipei in 1985.

Ted Muttiah has served on the council of Sri Lanka Rugby in 2017 and 2018 and was Deputy President of CRand FC in 2018 and 2019.

He is the Chief Commercial Officer of South Asian Geteway Terminal.

Former Thomian and CR and FC captain Savantha de Saram was elected as the deputy president of the club. Savantha a fine number eight played for S.Thomas’ from 1989 to 1992 leading the school in the final year He turned out for CR and FC from 1993 and led the Red Shirts in the year 2000 in which they emerged runners-up in the ‘A’ division league Rugby Tournament. Savantha also donned the Sri Lanka Jersey in the 1998 and 2000 Rugby Asiads.

Jacques Diaz was re-elected secretary of the club for the second consecutive year while Ravi Perera and Zulki Hamid are the two new vice presidents.

Former national boxing coach Wasantha Withanage Kumara was elected president of the newly formed Kundasale Sports Club at a meeting held on June 21 at their club house in Muttiah Muralidaran ground in Kandy.

A former boxing coach at Seevali MMV, Ratnapura, Wasantha is best known for producing a boxer to represent Sri Lanka at the Olympics after more than four decades in Anuruddha Ratnayake at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

A 3-star AIBA qualified coach, he followed an Advance Management course conducted by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) during his tenure as Sri Lanka coach.

There was no sports club in the area for talented sportsmen. That is why we decided to form a club. We will have rugby, cricket, boxing, football and volleyball. More than 100 people obtained membership at the inaugural annual general meeting which was conducted in the presence of two government officials from the Divisional Secretariat of the Central Province, said Wasantha.

R.A. Rangana Karunanayake was elected the secretary and R.M.D.B.B. Ratnayake as the treasurer along with 14 executive committee members.

Following are the office-bearers:

Patrons: Dr. Janaka Marapana, R. Vipula Karunanayake, M.B. Abeyratna

President: Withanage Wasantha Kumara

Vice President: H.M.H. Jayaratna Bandara

Secretary: R. A. Rangana Karunanayake

Asst Secretary: P. A. Janaka Shantha

Treasurer: R.M.D.B.B. Ratnayake

Chief Organiser: Sarath Kumara Kadanage

Auditor: D.G. Thilakarathna

Executive Committee: H.M.L. Wijerathna, M. Panangala, P. Tharanga Karunanayake, Indika Medagedara, P.S. Chandanee Silva, B.G. Maduka de Silva, W.H. Ranil Fernando, H.G.C.I. Nawarathna, H.M.P.B. Herath, Y.G.E. Buddhika, Senaka Rajapaksha, W.A.U. Ranjan Wijesekara Bandara, Amila Kumari Hettige, B.A.M. Miyuru Prasad Abeysinghe.

Disciplinary Committee: Wasantha Withanage Kumara (chairman), Lakshman Wijeratne, I.M. Jagath Kumara, P.B.M.G.S. Basnayake.

Sports Event Committee: Miyuru Prasad Abeysinghe, Priyantha Balasooriya, Janaka Shantha, R.A.K. Rangalla.

Fund Raising Committee: Tharanga Karunayake, Samantha Balasooriya, Kavinda Chandratileke, H.M.B.B. Herath, M.N. Perera.

Ground Development Committee: D.M. Panangala, W.A.U. Ranjan Wijesekera Bandara,

R.A.K. Rangalla.

Marketing Committee: Kumudu Rajapakse, Kalpa Bapasara,A. Anuruddha, Kasun Gayan de Silva.

Former Sri Lanka Cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan who was a member of 2011 world cup final Sri Lanka team, spoke about the 2011 Cricket World Cup fixing allegation levelled by former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage at his brothers up country election campaign meeting. He said that since the former minister has made it clear players are not involved, there is no reason to reply to the accusation.

Murali who has been named as the Most Valuable Test Player of the 21st Century by the Wisden Cricket Monthly recently said that I don’t’ make any comment regarding the toss in that final. I was at the dressing room at that time and didn’t know what happened at the middle. But I think the match referee did the correct thing at that stage.

Murali also giving his views about team selection said, that is the selectors duty. I was not the skipper or the deputy skipper and also not a selector. I was only a player of the team. Skipper, coach and the selectors pick the team.

In my 20 year cricket career I have never criticised any one. my opinion was not necessary for team selection and also they can’t consider every person’s opinion to select the team Murali added.

Murali also said that he played the 2011 World Cup final with 90% fitness after taking an injection. I was named for the team and put in maximum effort for the team.

World’s highest Test wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan has been named as the Most Valuable Test Player of the 21st Century by the Wisden Cricket Monthly.

The magazine in colutation with the CricViz, the world’s leading cricket analytics company has released the top 30 Test players of the 21st Century and Sri Lankan off-spinner tops the list.

“We have collected the data from the year 2000, so the list is for the period 2000-2020,” Sam Stow, the Marketing Director, Wisden Cricket Monthly, said.

“Out of Murali’s total 800 Test wickets, his 573 wickets in 85 matches were taken from January 1, 2000 to 2010. Only person ahead during this period is James Anderson with 584 but he has played 151 games (2000-2020),” he added.

“CricViz’s ‘Match Impact’ model, which sheds new light on a player’s contribution, found Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan to be Test cricket’s most valuable player of the 21st century so far. Raw numbers alone speak to Murali’s brilliance, but the CricViz model allows us to delve deeper, revealing his unrivalled impact on Test cricket over the last 20 years,”

Jo Harman, Wisden Cricket Monthly magazine editor, speaking exclusively said.

“Murali and Glenn McGrath stand out as the two most impactful bowlers in this analysis by a distance. In this investigation we are analysing the impact of players, not judging who is best, and as a spinner who bowled marathon spells, the Sri Lankan had greater opportunity to dominate Test matches,” Freddie Wilde, CricViz analyst, speaking exclusively explained. - bdcrictime

New Delhi, Monday: India’s Nitin Menon, 36, on Monday became the youngest member of the International Cricket Council’s elite umpire list.

Menon gave up playing cricket when he was 22 to start umpiring and has gradually moved up the rankings, officiating in three Tests, 24 one-day internationals and 16 Twenty20 matches.

“My priority was to play for the country rather than umpiring,” said Menon, who played two matches for Madhya Pradesh state in 2004 before taking up umpiring.

“I quit playing at 22 and I became a senior umpire at the age of 23. It wasn’t worth trying to play and umpire so I decided to focus on umpiring alone,” added Menon, who replaced England’s Nigel Llong on the 2020-21 season list.

“I’m feeling very confident by the fact that age is on my side, but the performance is what ultimately matters. Whether I do well or not, age has little to do with performance.”

Menon is only the third Indian after Srinivas Venkatraghavan and Sundaram Ravi -- who was dropped from the list last year -- to join the elite group of 12 umpires who take charge at top matches and tournaments.

- AFP

Madrid, Sunday: Karim Benzema delivered another moment of magic on Sunday as Real Madrid took a two-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga by beating bottom club Espanyol.

Benzema’s volley against Valencia could be goal of the season and he might now have a claim to best assist too after his brilliant backheel teed up Casemiro to finish for a crucial 1-0 win.

Madrid’s advantage in the table, coming after Barca’s draw away at Celta Vigo on Saturday, is their biggest since February and puts them within sight of their second league title in eight years.

“It’s a very important win,” said Benzema. “I can’t say we don’t look at Barcelona, of course we do. But we’re focused on our own league. There are not many games left and every game now is a final.”

Zinedine Zidane said Eden Hazard took a knock to his ankle.

“He took a big hit but it’s just a knock I think,” said Zidane.

By the time his side play at home to Getafe on Thursday they might even have the chance to move further clear, if in-form Atletico Madrid avoid defeat on Tuesday at Camp Nou.

Barcelona certainly have the harder run-in, with a resurgent Villarreal side to follow Atletico and then local rivals Espanyol, who have shown they might yet finish strong after a determined performance under new coach Franciso Rufete.

Rufete, who was previously the club’s sporting director, is Espanyol’s fourth coach of the season after the sacking of Abelardo Fernandez on Saturday. His task is now to make up a nine-point gap between his team in 20th and Celta in 17th.

They were undone by a piece of instinctive brilliance from Benzema, who has been the catalyst for Madrid sealing five wins out of five since La Liga restarted on June 11.

Benzema’s backheel came on an afternoon of sensational assists after Villarreal’s Santi Cazorla earlier set up Gerard Moreno with an incredible, cushioned touch in their 2-0 win over Valencia.

“I have to give huge credit to Karim,” said Casemiro. “It was an incredible assist. We’re used to how good he is, I know the quality he possesses so I was expecting something. He heard me asking for it and he played it in a brilliant way.”

Madrid, though, were scruffy and ponderous at the RCDE Stadium, this perhaps their least impressive win over the last three weeks.

AFP

London, Monday: The West Indies cricket team will wear "Black Lives Matter" logos on their shirts during next month's Test series against England in a show of solidarity with the global movement.

The tourists will follow the lead of English Premier League footballers during the three-Test series, which starts at the Ageas Bowl on July 8.

The move comes after the death of African-American George Floyd in US police custody last month.

The logo, which has a clenched fist in place of the letter 'A' in the word "Black", was designed by Watford player Troy Deeney's partner Alisha Hosannah.

West Indies captain Jason Holder said the team remained focused on winning the series but that there were bigger issues to address.

"This is a pivotal moment in history for sports, for the game of cricket and for the West Indies cricket team," he said in a statement issued by Cricket West Indies.

"We have come to England to retain the Wisden Trophy but we are very conscious of happenings around the world and the fight for justice and equality.

"We believe we have a duty to show solidarity and also to help raise awareness."

Holder said sportsmen and women could influence opinion and be a force for change.

"We did not take our decision lightly," he said.

"We know what it is for people to make judgements because of the colour of our skin, so we know what it feels like, this goes beyond the boundary.

"There must be equality and there must be unity. Until we get that as people, we cannot stop."

Deeney said he and Hosannah were overwhelmed by the gesture.

"Alisha and I are immensely proud to be asked and take part in a monumental moment in world sport, this amazing decision by the West Indies cricket team to show their support for Black Lives Matter," he said.

Player power was behind the Premier League's move to put "Black Lives Matter" on the back of shirts for the first 12 games following the restart of the competition.

Footballers are also wearing the logo on their sleeves for the rest of the campaign.

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons is in self-isolation after leaving his team's bio-secure location in Manchester for a short period of compassionate leave.

Cricket West Indies confirmed that Simmons had twice tested negative for the virus since returning on Friday, and would have another test on Wednesday before rejoining the squad.

The West Indies start a four-day warm-up match against England at Old Trafford on Monday.

Simmons attended the funeral of his father-in-law, who had died prior to the team's recent assembly in Manchester, having been given permission by medical officials. AFP

Sydney, Monday: Nick Kyrgios let rip at “selfish” fellow tennis star Alexander Zverev Monday after the German was seen partying despite promising to self-isolate following Novak Djokovic’s coronavirus-hit Adria Tour.

Zverev was part of the exhibition event organised by the world number one where social distancing was minimal, matches took place in front of thousands of fans and players were even seen at a nightclub, despite the pandemic.

Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki all subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.

While Zverev tested negative, he released a statement afterwards vowing to self-isolate, only to be spotted at a busy bar, apparently over the weekend, in footage that went viral.

Kyrgios, who had slammed the decision to hold the Adria Tour as “bone-headed”, said he was unhappy with the behaviour of some of the biggest names in the sport.

“So I wake up and I see more controversial things happening all over the world. One that stuck out for me was seeing ‘Sacha’ Zverev again man, again, again, how selfish can you be?” he said on Instagram Monday.

“If you have the audacity to put out a tweet that you made your management write on your behalf saying you’re going to self-isolate for 14 days and apologising to the general public for putting their health at risk, at least have the audacity to stay inside for 14 days, my god.”

The flamboyant Australia added: “This tennis world... seriously how selfish can you all get?”

Zverev and Kyrgios, two of the most exciting players on tour, have history.

Ahead of this year’s Australian Open, Zverev unloaded on Kyrgios, who had provocatively performed push-ups when the German was serving double faults during the ATP Cup.

“I think there’s a lot of young guys that are right now, no offence, just better than him,” said Zverev, playing down Kyrgios’s chances of winning a Grand Slam.

AFP

Paris, Monday: World Rugby will likely not rule on the thorny issue of how many international Tests can be played in the autumn when its decision-making council meets on June 30, an official said Monday.

Rugby union had been in lockdown since March because of the coronavirus until New Zealand’s in-house Super Rugby tournament started earlier this month.

But the European season has yet to resume and, with several 2020 Six Nations matches still to take place, elite players face the prospect of a fixture pile-up later in a year blighted by COVID-19.

There are also concerns over the participation of southern hemisphere teams in the traditional three-week autumn Test window in the North because of coronavirus-related health and safety protocols.

The French federation wants the Test window extended to six games, but World Rugby said they would not be rushed into a decision.

“We are ensuring that all parties have the time that they require to deliver the best-possible 2020 calendar solution for the global game,” a World Rugby spokesman told AFP on Monday.

“Given ongoing constructive and productive meetings between stakeholders, we will not be putting a date on any decision at this stage.”

World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper told AFP last week that the governing body’s role was one of “facilitating an outcome that is good for all and we are listening and understand the views of all stakeholders”.

“It is important that the process recognises and supports the needs of both the clubs and the unions.”

AFP

76 year old former Prince of Wales’ College, Ceylon Government Railways, Ace Athletic Club and Sri Lanka Masters Athlete Weerawarna Jayasuriyathotage Carl Quintus Fernando commenced his schooling at Holy Emmanuel Church, Rawatawatte, Moratuwa and later joined Prince of Wales’ College from Grade 4 and from his younger days his forte was Athletics and he was a cricket lover too. After leaving school in 1964 he joined Sachithananda Schockman Wijeratne and Company as an Accounts Clerk and served for two years and after passing the Station Master’s Exam he joined the Ceylon Railway Department in 1967.

Whilst at school he was a short distance runner and took part in school Athletic Meets but could not gain success. When he was under 19 he took up to long distance events i.e 880 Yards, one Mile, Marathon

Carl Fernando with his  medals

and cross country events. In his last year in the under 19 he came second to Cambrian Public Schools Athlete Shanthi de S. Jayaratne and in the next year in the Open Events he came first in the 880 and 1500 Yards. During this period there were fine long distance runners at the College such as Godfrey de Silva, L. L. Dougals Silva and Dulman Dharmawijaya. He was a house captain and in under 19 4x440 Yards Relay his team won the first place. In his last year he represented the Western Province and clocked 2 minutes 7 seconds in the 880 Yards and lost to Walter Wickramasinghe of Taxila Central. Though he could not perform well during his school career he never gave up and in the mean time former Sebastianite Athlete Denzil Fernando encouraged him to join Ace Athletic Club in 1963. After joining them he participated in Dual Meets along with Stalwarts like Senaka Wijenayaka. R.Jk Karunananda, S. L. B. Rosa, M. R. Wijebandara and Khan Brothers A. S. M. and A. L. M. to mention a few and his pet event was 880 yards

In the year 2000 he participated in the Sri Lanka Masters and did hard practices at De Soysa Stadium and took part in the Sri Lanka Masters in the 55-60 years age group and his events were 400, 800 and 1500 metres and his first meet in Kandy he came third in the 400 metres In the age groups of 60-65 and 65-70 he participated in the meets held at Kegalle, Gampaha, Matara, Kandy, Colombo and Bandaragama and won his events and in the 70/75 age group he started the Steeple Chase where the competitors had to do Five Water Jumps and 18 Barriers During the year 2019 he won 10 Golds, 5 Silver and 2 Bronzes and in January 2020 he won a gold in 5000 metres and won two golds and one Silver at Sri Lanka Masters Athletic Meet held at Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo. The meets which were to be held at Bandaragama and Colombo was postponed due to the prevailing situation in the country and it is prohibited to do practices too.

In 2004 he represented the country in the Masters International Meet in Nehru Stadium Chennai, India and won a Bronze in 1500 event.

In 2010 representing the country in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, Sri Lanka won 4 x 400 Meters Relay and he was a member of the team and won a Gold and in the 800 and 5000 metres he won two Bronze Medals. During his Athletic career so far he has won more than 200 medals from time to time.

The present Prefect of Games of Dharmaraja College,Kandy Saliya Samarawickrema is an old boy of the School who was a great sportsman. He represented the College in Cricket & Rugby from 1984 to 1985.

He says that as the School has re opened he is intending to commence sports activities for the Students for two hours for three days a week as instructed by the relevant Authorities of the Dept. of Education and the Dept. of

Health for the safety of the sports loving students of the College. In Cricket Saliya Samarawickrema played as a medium pace bowler and his contemporaries in school were Bimal Dahanayake, Priyantyha Weragoda and Ravi Rajapakse who captained the Dharmaraja Cricket team to name a few. As a Rugby player, he played as Fly half and his Coach was Viper Gunaratne.

Saliya assumed duties as the Prefect-of-Games at Dharmaraja College,Kandy in the year 2014 as he succeeded Sarath Mataraarachchi who went on retirement. Before assuming duties at Dharmaraja he was a teacher at Kingswood College,Kandy and became the POG of Kingswood for some time. At Kingswood he Coordinated the annual ‘Big Match’ between Dharmaraja andKingswood including the Cenetenary ‘Big Match’ of the two Schools. At Dharmaraja too he will organize the ‘Big Match’ accordingly. He told the correspondent that as the grounds in most schools are not up to the standard the progress in Cricket in Kandy District is very slow and lack of grounds is also a problem for the improvement of the game.

Kandy’s Anton Perera was a fine sportsman He played cricket, hockey and football. He started his schooling at St. Sylvester’s from year one to 11 and later crossed over to St. Anthony’s College in latter part of 1971 to continue his higher studies, as well as to play cricket.

He started his cricketing career at St. Sylvester’s College at the age of 15. Captained the 1st XI team in 1971. At St. Anthony’s College he played under the captaincy of Jayantha Monnekulame and represented Central Zone under 18 team in the Sri Lanka schools inter zonaL cricket tournament and was the vice captain.

Later at club level Anton played for Kandy Youth SC in the Sara trophy tournament. He also represented Central Province team in the Robert Senanayake trophy. Right throughout his career he had been a steady opening batsman almost in all the teams he re presented. Later he was a umpire and match referee in Sri Lanka cricket Sara trophy tournaments.

Then in hockey played for St.Sylvester’s college at the age of 12 as a center half and left half, captained the under 19 team. He also played for Kandy district schools team at hockey nationals. He was a member of the Sri Lanka schools national team in 1972 and 1973. and also represented Kandy district team at senior hockey nationals. Played for Grass hoppers Sports Club in the division one tournaments. He was a member of Sri Lanka national team from 1973 to 1976.Toured India with the national team in1973 and 1975. He also played football for St. Sylvester’s junior and senior teams.

After leaving school he,joined Noritake Lanka porcelain pvt.Ltd a Japanese company from 1975 to 1983and again from 1998 to 2009. From 1983 to 1997 when in Dubai he played cricket.

At present he is the cricket secretary of the Kandy District cricket Association, where he is going all out with the committee to bring back the club games to the position where it was in the early days.

In our days of school cricket it was almost a disgrace to commit a “bokku”-- a crude colloquial for letting a ball go between one’s feet when fielding or to drop a catch or such other cricketing sin!

It’s become customary in politics too to be charged as such , as we do in this column in the case of a distinguished fielder by the name of Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

Here its not a sitter of a catch but a bombshell that has been dropped! Such was it’s impact on the scoreboard that it became the talk of not only the country, but the cricketing world as well.

It required, at the time of writing Minister of Sports Dullas Alahaperuma to step into the field and say that there is no proof of match-fixing. So it looks as though the said Aluthgamage has left a bokku.

It so happens that the Aluthgamage we refer to was playing the role of Minister of Sports during the 50-over 2011 World Cup. He has apparently woken from a nine year siesta and is alleging that the World Cup won by India in India was fixed and gifted to India.

Now the question that begs an answer is: Why did he have to wait for nine long years to suddenly make what looks like a damaging statement and which onus has fallen on him to substantiate. Some say that after a slumber of nine years he has woken up in a nightmare of a bad dream! It’s a cardinal sin to air such unfounded allegations without being conscious of the damage it does to the good name of Sri Lankan cricketers who had toiled over the years to build their good reputation of playing cricket fairly.

Aluthgamage says he complained to the International Cricket Council immediately after the match on queer and questionable happenings that led to Sri Lanka’s defeat, but received no response.

He says he had made his suspicions known locally, but with no one buying it, it lay dead and buried for nine years and suddenly exhumed nine years later and raised unnecessary a virus that is spreading like the Covid 19. The scores and the final outcome of that epic final need not be reiterated but one cannot but fail to mention the majestic knocks by former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena 103 not out and Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s match winning unbeaten 91.

Those two knocks were scintillating and masterpieces to remember. Finally Jayawardena’s century was in vain while the 91 made by Dhoni steered his side to victory on that balmy night at the Wankhede Stadium before a full house and is held in high esteem.

Generally when a final of such importance and magnitude is lost by the side that at one time looked like winning cricket officials and fans of the losing side, probably frustrated start making unfounded allegations and it was no different this time round.

Aluthgamage has not levelled any allegations against the players, but throws his barbs at the officials and the manner in which the final selections for the all- important final was done without his knowledge.

If that is true then the selectors need answer and Chairman of Selectors of that time Aravinda de Silva has done just that and batted for his three co-selectors Ranjit Fernando, Amal Silva and Shabir Asgerally.

The writer who has played the game at the highest level and with credibility to match would like to pose the question: How can an official or officials sell a game without the knowledge of the players who matter?

Now the ball is in Aluthgamage’s court and how he will put it over to the other side will be interesting to watch and all cricket fans here and in India especially will be watching with more than keen interest. However especially hurt will be India, because the glitz and glamour of their victory which they waited for 28 long years has been sullied and tarnished. The Indian Cricket Board is not going to sit and watch this comedy unfolding, but will certainly demand an explanation. India last laid their hands on the glittering World Cup in England in 1983 under the astute captaincy of all rounder Kapil Dev when they stalled the mighty West Indians led by Clive Lloyd from making it three in a row. It will be of interest to cricket fans to know that in a friendly game before the World Cup proper began Sri Lanka led by Duleep Mendis beat the Indians who finally went on to win the final and the treasured cup. The writer was there covering the tournament for the ‘Times’ and ‘Daily Mirror’.

The Interim Committee of SLC during that 2011 World Cup that was co-hosted was led by former leg spinning all rounder who also captained the country D. Somachandra de Silva who had his trustworthy nephews Suraj and Kapil Dandeniya as Tournament Director and in charge of Logistics. Having been close to them at that time I could vouch for their sincerity, honesty and integrity in conducting the Lankan part of that tournament to the best of their ability which came in for commendation by the International Cricket Council whose tournament was the World Cup.

‘DS’ with his efficient committee had a gigantic task to perform and that was to keep a deadline to complete three stadiums well in time because ICC officials would be visiting to check on the progress. If the stadiums were not to the satisfaction possibilities was that no matches would be conducted here.

With President Mahinda Rajapaksa keeping a close watch and providing support and thanks to the untiring efforts of ‘DS’ who was responsible the three stadiums – R. Premadasa, Sooriyawewa and Pallekelle stadiums were completed in record time which even surprised the ICC officials.

I can also vouch for the fact that ‘DS’ worked like a beaver. One day he was in Sooriyawewa, another day at the RPS and yet another day in Pallekelle seeing and checking that everything was tickety boo.

Of course ‘DS’ and his committee had their critics. Who doesn’t? But ‘DS’ hit them for six like when batting for the country and when it was all over did not ‘DS’ heave a huge sigh of relief. And these allegations coming nine years later must have been rib tickling to Dandeniyage Somachandra de Silva.

erodrigopulle@gmail.com

SYDNEY Tuesday:Australia on Tuesday postponed the one-day international series against Zimbabwe in August, the latest sporting fixtures to fall victim to the coronavirus pandemic.

Citing “concern for the health and safety of players, match officials, and volunteers”, Cricket Australia announced the three-match series would not go ahead.

“While we are disappointed to postpone the series, (Cricket Australia) and (Zimbabwe Cricket) agree that in the best interest of players, match officials, volunteers as well as our fans, that this is the most practical and sensible decision,” said Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley.

“We are committed to working with Zimbabwe Cricket on alternative dates to reschedule”, he added.

The games were to have been played on August 9, 12 and 15.

Under current Australian regulations, the Zimbabwean team would likely have had to endure a 14-day quarantine when entering the country, and possible further isolation when travelling across state boundaries within Australia. AFP

Ravishankar Wickneswaran, Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed onto the Supervisory Board of BIC Vietnam. Ravishankar is a qualified finance professional in the Financial sector and has served at Fairfirst Insurance for over seven years.

BIC (Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam Insurance Company) is the insurance joint-venture of Fairfax with the largest bank in Vietnam. A $100m business and growing rapidly, BIC has 26 branches, 158 sales offices and over 1,500 insurance agents.

“I am delighted to be appointed onto the Supervisory Board of BIC Vietnam and it is a role that I am looking forward to,” Ravishankar said. “For me, this career exposure is a testament to how we do things the Fairfirst Way and it will definitely be a good challenge.”

The Board of Supervisors are assigned by the shareholders and are above the Board of Directors. There is a total of 5 Members including the Head and Ravishankar will represent Fairfax interest on this Board of Supervisors. As an overview, the Board of Supervisors are required to undertake responsibilities and tasks as assigned by the General Shareholders including monitoring, checking and supervising the governance, management and business performance of BIC.

Managing Director and CEO Fairfirst Insurance, Dr. Sanjeev Jha commented, “I am delighted to share the fantastic news that Ravishankar, our CFO, has been appointed onto the Supervisory Board of BIC Vietnam. This appointment is a super testament of Sri Lanka’s talent and Fairfax’s commitment to nurturing the right ones.” Fairfirst Insurance Limited, is part of the global Fairfax Group. The Group is a leading property and casualty insurer, reinsurer and investment manager, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Fairfirst, is today among the top general insurance companies of Sri Lanka.

The Netball Federation of Sri Lanka (NFSL) will bid to host the next Asian Netball championships which is scheduled to be held in 2022. The Asian Netball Championship was scheduled to be held in May this year in South Korea but was postponed indefinitely because of the Covid-19 viral outbreak. .

Sri Lanka has previously hosted the Asian Championship twice in 2001 and 2012. Sri Lanka have emerged Asian champions on five occasions in 1989, 1997, 2001, 2009 and 2018. Since the inception of this championship in 1995, Sri Lanka have emerged runner-ups on four occasions and finished in third position a couple of times.

"We are ready to host the Asian championship in 2022. We have made a request but a decision has still not been made because of the Corona pandemic,” said a senior official of the NFSL.

“We hope to make a formal request to Netball Asia with the consent of the Sports Ministry to host this event. Since we have successfully hosted the championship twice in the past, we are confident of getting our request approved,” added NFSL source.

The National Pool players are currently training under the supervision of acting head coach P. D. Prasadi and NFSL is already looking to appoint a new head coach after resignation of former head coach Thilaka Jinadasa. Sri Lanka netball team is the reigning Asian champions and already has obtained 18th position at the world ranking. National team is planning to take part in more international tournaments.

Meanwhile, the NFSL has targeted participating in four international competitions (Junior and Senior) during the next two and half years. Among them are the Asian Indoor Games (May 2021) in Bangkok, World Junior Netball Championship (2021 - Fiji), Asian Junior Netball Championship (2021 - August) South Korea and Asian Senior Netball Championship (2022, September) in Colombo.

"We wanted to give more exposure for our National players and these international tournaments are very important for the players," added the NFSL senior official.