• A captain's 'knock' to boost Trust Fund
• Kandy given a scare by Army
• It was a long trek for Havies’ Thushara Jayalath
• First it was Mahanama, now it’s Kalpage

By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga the most experienced test player came up with a gem of an idea, to raise funds for the construction of a cricket training centre and a hostel to help talented youngsters, particularly from the rural areas.

This long term project, 'Arjuna Ranatunga Trust Fund' will help them fine-tune their natural skills and increase their potential giving them the opportunity to realise their dream of representing Sri Lanka.

Before the Sri Lanka team left for England skipper Ranatunga participated at the special function held at Taj Samudra Hotel, which was organised by Cargills Food City and Blue Diamonds Jewellery Worldwide Limited.

Daya Senanayake Managing Director of Blue Diamonds said: "We have great pleasure to support the project of 'Arjuna Trust Fund' which will help outstation cricketers to develop their talents. The skipper's idea gives us a great opportunity to look into the needs of young aspiring Sri Lankan cricketers'.

Cargills Food City and Ceylinco Group members support this cricket fund expected to procure some one million rupees for the 'Arjuna Trust Fund'.

He also pointed out Cargills Food City and Blue Diamonds Jewellery Worldwide Limited have now joined forces to open the innings, customers of both organisations are in the 'team' now.

The mechanics are simple. Every time you shop at Cargills Food City Supermarkets, you have the chance to win specially designed, requisite jewellery from the exclusive foreverset cricket range. For every item of the foreverset cricket range purchased, Blue Diamond will contribute 5 US Dollars. This can be redeemed at the Diamond Salon of Ceylinco World Wide Trading - both of which are situated at No. 15 A, Alfred Place in Colombo 3.

There's a choice too. The customer can either donate the five dollars towards the fund; or claim the saving on any item in the cricket range. The voucher entitles the holder to participate in the foreverset cricket Jewellery Draw. The prizes are six diamonds studded bats, autographed by skipper Arjuna Ranatunga and fifty coupons worth a 20 percent saving on the autographed miniature bat.

Skipper Arjuna Ranatunga said: "After Sri Lanka became the world champions in one day cricket I planned to start this Trust Fund and that is very important for the cricketers who are coming from outstation areas to Colombo. At that time the Cricket Board President and Sports Minister agreed to give the land for this cricket training centre and hostel and I am waiting for that land. Anyway I hope the land will be given very soon and I will start the fund raising project for that'. The skipper further said after the England tour he could start this project.

Kalinga Indrathissa the Secretary of the Arjuna Trust Fund said: "This idea was to pick the 16 players of the winning world cup team of 1996 and give room to each of the cricketers. Not only the accommodation facilities. We hope to build indoor nets and a training centre with indoor nets are the main objectives of this Arjuna Trust Fund. He finally thanks Cargills Food City and Blue Diamonds Jewellery Worldwide Limited for support for this project.

Deputy Minister Reggi Ranatunga, Mrs. Nandani Ranatunga and Ranatunga brothers Dhammika the Chief Executive Officer of the Cricket Board, Nishantha, Sanjeewa and former Cricket Board President Upali Dharmadasa also graced this occasion.

by Ravi Nagahawatte
Unimaginable and unimpressive was how Kandy’s performance can be termed as they huffed and puffed before pulling off a close 20-13 victory over Army, in an A division inter-club second round league rugby fixture played at Havelock Park yesterday.

The gallant soldiers kept the team from ‘Kandy’ in check and rocked them with many powerpacked moves before taking a 8-6 lead at half time. Even though the visitors formed a winning position through a try and two penalties, there lay many anxious moments in the second half for Kandy as the soldiers made the score 13-17 through an unconverted try by M. Dharmapala, thirteen minutes from full time. Kicker Michael Collins then eased the pressure on his team mates when he stretched the lead by seven points with a forty five metre penalty.

Kandy were forced to look at an empty space on their side of the score board as it was all Army’s till the thirtieth minute of play. The soldiers took a grip on the game with an unconverted try by Maloni Thuruwa after full back T. D. Silva opened scoring for the hosts with a penalty earlier on. Kandy’s two penalties were put over by Colins and Nilufer Ibrahims with the latter coming during extra time in the first half after the former failed miserably with a string of penalty attempts minutes before.

Kandy’s only try of the match came during one of those rare moments where they played in fits and starts, when winger Suranga Kodithuwakku pounced on the loose ball which was kicked into the goal area by team-mate Collins. Linkman Ibrahim, who put Kandy in the lead with his second penalty, failed with the conversion, but came right with a penalty five minutes later.

Kandy were much into danger when the soldiers closed in on them with a try by Dharmapala before Collins took them out of the woods with an arrow sharp penalty.

Referee —S. W . Chang

By Ravi Nagahawatte
As for Thushara Jayalath’s passion for rugby, it certainly came above all — even topping the list ahead of education. Throwing away a golden opportunity to study in the university, the twenty-seven year old Sri Lankan player settled for a life style where he eats, drinks and sleeps rugby. Keeping with the demands of this manly sport, Thushara too tried hard to get big, which in a way required forced meals and plenty of time for gym work. But it did not work out in Thushara’s case. Then he used his intelligence to figure out a remedy for his problem. Thushara made up for his handicap in the lack of weight with aggressive playing in the loose which gave him a fair chance when it came for selections.

His consistency at winning line-outs and the skills shown as a ball player has earned him many tours with the national side. Today, when Thushara looks back at his career he has played for Sri Lanka, captained his club Havelocks and — as he puts down as one of his greatest achievements — went on to represent the Asian Barbarians against Hong Kong. However, even with all these glorious moments in the field, he regrets the fact that he did not study. However, being a person with the ability to grasp anything quite easily, Thushara has plans for higher studies which he will commence next year. "You can learn even in your old age," said the former Peterite.

What sparked his interest
With his towering six feet two inch height, Thushara took to athletics first before switching to basketball. He recalled the early years of his life where he slowly took to sports while in a home atmosphere where studies was the only thing which was encouraged. He was sixteen when he tried his hand at the ‘dribbling game’ and was soon in the school’s ‘A’ team. "Throughout my sporting career I have never been in any team other than the first side", recalled Jayalath who said that he was a member of the champion schools side in 1990 which was coached by Ajith Kuruppu. Like some of the top players whose potential was spotted and then encouraged to have a go, Thushara too had been called by his rugger playing friends who had seen the tall man jump up for re-bounds. But what really sparked his interest into taking upto rugby football was the mere thought of earning colours in two different sports. However, after one and a half years in the sport, Thushara was left a disgusted individual owing to favouritism in the side. He was dropped from the junior national pool and the reason which was given by the authorities was that he lacked weight. "My first thoughts were to quit. But an old boy of the school, Colin Denish, called me to play for Petersons and I had a grand game against Havelocks where I scored a try. The next year I was the number one choice among all the second rows when I joined Havelocks," reminisced Jayalath.

Mother encouraged him
Even though continuing his club career, Thushara’s path was always obstructed by problems. He found cultivating friendships as the solution to getting along with senior players who had, attitudes. And when his turn to captain Havelocks was given to a player who had not played a proper season for the club, Thushara exercised great patience.

Thushara suddenly switched track and began to speak about his mother. "My mother always gave me the diet that was needed for me. She even used to come and see me play. But now I don’t bring her along for matches as she is not that well."

His best years
He considers 1991-’92 to be his best years in the sport. He had created his own style in the game — playing similar to a third row forward — and had played at his peak. This was the period when the second row forward made his first tour to Hong Kong and then did the unthinkable when he turned out for his team in the knockout by recovering fully from a serious knee injury. His memories take him back to a memorable moment during this period when his team beat arch rivals CR and FC 7-6 in both the league games. Tears of joy were probably visible in Thushara’s eyes when Sri Lanka beat Singapore 18-15 in an Asian Zone World Cup qualifying match played last year. But more than just the happiness, he remembers as if today, how the winning try was scored. He sure had a hand in it. However, for him, playing for the Asian Barbarians happens to be the greatest achievement. The chance to play along with Priyantha Ekanayake and Harin Perera came through an offer by the latter and SLRFU’s Secretary M. Zainudeen.

Thushara spoke with a broken heart when he recalled what the country lost along with the defeat suffered at the hands of Chinese Taipei. "If we won we would have earned ourselves more recognition as players. We also lost the chance of bringing down former Hong Kong national coach Joe Simpkin. We could have also got better job opportunities. Dr. Maiya Gunasekara had a lot of plans for us. But we lost them all, reflected Jayalath. When asked what was the reason given by our officials for the defeat, he replied, "no one spoke after the match. We were all so sad." However, Thushara opined that the reason for defeat was the inability to work out the game plan in the first half. Regardless of the result he had a lot of praise for Dr. Gunasekara and coaches Ajith Abeyratne and Ana Saranapala. "I must take this opportunity to thank my school coach, S. W. Chang. He has done a lot for me," quipped Jayalath.

Looking into the current rugby setup where opportunities are more than at a normal work place, Thushara had this to say, "I think a player can earn more money than at his job." He also sees nothing wrong in a player demanding a match fee. And speaking of benefits, he was quick to point out that it was a must for the officials of clubs to look into the needs of the players and retain their services.

Keeping with one of the requirements for being a good sportsman, which happens to be sleeping early, Thushara said that he has reduced the outings with his friends in the night. However, he enjoys going to night clubs which he regards as a great way of enjoying oneself.

"A lot of people have bad impressions of night clubs. But I think that there is nothing wrong in going to a place like this is you have the money."

His vision is clear on the life that is ahead of him. Answering a question where he would be in ten years time, Jayalath formed his answer with a lot of optimism. "I will be a man with a lot of wealth."

Asked what he would have been if he did not take to rugby, Thushara shot back that he would have been either a lawyer or a chartered accountant.

THUSHARA JAYALATH — "Catch me if you can."

by Mahinda Wijesinghe
The Board of Control for cricket in Sri Lanka should indeed be congratulated for having felicitated past and senior national cricketers, officials, coaches, journalists, groundsmen et al, who have contributed their mite, when celebrating their golden anniversary. It was a most touching gesture and appreciated by all. In fact, it was indeed a source of disappointment that such an event was not telecast for the general public. They, the past champions, are the people who originally contributed and helped Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon then, to reach the present heady heights. This state was not reached in a trice. It was the fruition of a long drawn out campaign over many a decade. From the humble groundsman Deen who helped, in his own way to prepare the ground to the Harlequin, Derrick de Saram, we must be grateful. Well done, the Board.

Success for Pramodya Wickremasinghe?
So, the Sri Lanka team has taken wing to Blighty and, at the time of writing, had been sent for a follow-on by Somerset. Of course, our big guns were resting. It was reassuring however that batsman Russel Arnold has scored an unbeaten double century. Not for the first time, has this lanky left-hander, who can bowl tidy off-spinners as well fared creditably against foreign opposition. At the same time, Hashan Tillekeratne too has proved his mettle in both innings. Interestingly, much criticised selection, paceman Pramodya Wickremasinghe, scalped 4 of the 6 Somerset wickets to fall, and before hosannas are sung, it must be remembered when a side declares their innings closed at 366/6 in 96 overs, which is almost 4 runs an over, it most certainly appears that the batsmen have been forced into error after they have had their fill rather than due to the efficacy of the bowling! Many years ago, Ceylon toured Pakistan and played 3 unofficial Tests. True, the umpiring standards were abysmal, but Ceylon lost all three unofficial Tests, 2 by an innings and the third by 10 wickets. So, there was very little credit one can pass on to any bowler however many wickets he captured in the series.

Dropping of Roshan Mahanama
The furore created by dropping Roshan Mahanama has still not subsided. In fact, this sore point will be the subject of much speculation for years to come amongst cricket lovers both in Sri Lanka and elsewhere. In a recent letter, by Rohan Wijeyaratna, published in the ‘Island’ throw further light on this issue. Arguing that if Mahanama was not good enough to be in the tour party of 18 to England, how come, asks Wijeyaratna, he was good enough to be picked for the XI that played in the Nidahas final just 2 days earlier? Wijeyaratne then goes on to add, with clinical accuracy:

"..... it must be conceded that in dropping Mahanama from the tour of England (which includes a triangular One-day tournament) the selectors clearly could not have had the best interests of the country at heart. This statement is made on the assumption that the selections were based on the best available in the country at the time. Either way, it appears that the selectors have compromised the interests of the country in a manner that cannot be termed acceptable. Therefore the suitability of these men to hold the positions they now do, is brought into question.

Much as we would like to believe to the contrary, it is becoming increasingly clear that cricket in this country is being treated as though it were the private property of a privileged few. Cricket let it be known, is the possession of all of us; high and low, rich and poor. It has conquered the imagination of all those in this country in a manner nothing ever will, has, or can. It has cut across all barriers of caste, creed and race with the effortless grace of a Hobbs or a Graveney and proven to be the only effective unifying factor in this war-ravaged country of ours. It is indeed the heritage of every living Sri Lankan and also of those yet to come. Since it is not just a game but an institution by itself, it shall always reign supreme; bigger than all those who play it or who run it. Any of us mortals who may in the mistaken notion wish to rise larger than the game itself, will therefore do so at their own peril."

Words of wisdom indeed.

Not even Bradman could......
For instance, the great Don Bradman who strode the game of cricket as a Colossus during his playing days — and even after! — required just 4 runs in his last Test match to retire with an average of a round 100 in his batting. Just one boundary hit. Yet, he was dismissed second ball without scoring. Not even Bradman, who so dominated the game with his bat, that all others before or since cannot even hold a candle to his feats, could grow bigger than the game.

Who will captain Sri Lanka "B"?
After the faux pas of Mahanama, it appears that the selectors have done it again. In picking a pool of 26 players — 2 more were added subsequently, making a total of 28 — for the visit of the touring South Africans, Ruwan Kalpage, has been left out. Yet, this same Kalpage, didn’t he play in a recent Test match, against the New Zealanders? Then, how come he is not good enough to be in the ‘B’ pool of 28? Shades of the Mahanama fiasco? With his surprise exclusion and the absence of Mahanama, it will be interesting to see who will skipper Sri Lanka in the upcoming ‘Test’ matches.