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A world record in school cricket
By Bernie Wijesekera
Royal and S. Thomas' since the start of the big match in 1892 has gone from strength to strength - uninterrupted - a world record in school cricket. Both shools have a rich history on and off the field. Come rain or thunder the flame is there for the last 125 years, said Warden of S. Thomas' David Ponniah.

He made a debut 100, which is itself a record. David made a witty speech at the launching of the 125th anniversay book (joint publication) held at the S. Thomas' College hall on November 6.
Bringing back nostalgic memories with his oratory skills, David showed a sound technique and commended the traditional rivals from Colombo 7 to come to Mt. Lavinia for this great happening.

It could have never become a reality if not for the magnanimous gesture of old Royalist, Deshamanya Lalith Kotelawala, Chairman of Ceylinco Group helped with a sponsorship package for printing this 125-year-old cricketing bible. Two people from Royal and S. Thomas' worked from the blind side, Rajkumar Renganathan, the guest of honour, Chief Executive/Director, Ceylinco Life and that versatile sportsman from Royal, Ajitha Pasqual, Additional General Manager of Seylan Bank. This is the second joint publication of Royal College Union and S. Thomas' OBA. The first was in 1979, the Centenary Year.

The 125th anniversary in March 2004 will be at the same venue. Ponniah thanked the newly appointed principal of Royal Mr. Upali Gunasekera for his presence. He will be continuing the good work of his predecessor Lakshman Gomes and his Deputy Mr. Senaratne (both retired).

Soft-spoken Mr. Gunasekera, making his debut speech for this launching in preparation for next year's historic event, thanked the joint organisers for inviting him to be in their midst. Both schools have a rich tradition between them be it sports or otherwise. He assured the organisers of his unstinted support to mark the occasion.
Mr. Renganathan, the guest of honour, who spoke on behalf of the sponsors said, it was Deshamanya Lalith Kotelawala, the Chairman Ceylinco Group who got the act-together.

Both of us from rival schools have developed a friendship since our school days and respect each other. Now I am serving him with much understaning and have found an equally good partner Ajitha Pasqual, a diehard old Royalist.

Speaking in a lighter vein he said, David Ponniah referred to me that I left S. Thomas' in December 1971 and rejoined in 1973. I came back with seven credits in O/L.
But Ponniah was dropped several times before he scored his debut 100 amidst shrills of laughter. The first two copies were presented to Royal Principal by Channa Gunasekera and to the Warden S. Thomas' by Upali Gunaratne.

Presentations were also made to Pasqual and Renganathan, who pioneered the sponsorship package. Nalin Pathikiri Korale and Chandra Schaffter purchased the first two copies for Rs. 1,000/-each.

Those who lit the traditional oil lamp before the commencement of the launch were Bertie Wijesinghe, the oldest Thomian captain, 1938-'39, Gamini Salgado, a live-wire of Royal College cricket, Ian Pieris, Mike Tissera, Sarath Samarasinghe, Channa Gunasekera, the two heads of schools and the present school captains Taraka Kottehewa (Royal) and vice-captain V. Balasubramaniam, in the absence of the regular captain Kaushal de Silva.

M. Balasubramaniam, the 1953 Thomian athletic captain, a cog-in-the-wheel in the organising committee paid a glowing tribute to Channa Gunasekera and others for the enormous energy spent to publish this book. Imagine match No. one in 1880, match No. 124 of 2003, reminiscences from several cricketing luminaries.

One of them was the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka D.S. Senanayake, D.W.L. Lieversz etc. One can't forget the flamboyant 100 made by Vijaya Malalasekera (with 18 fours). Bertie Wijesinghe rates this as the best 100 he has seen at this traditional match.

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