Lakshman Kadirgamar- A great loss for Trinity and the country
Without much doubt Lakshman Kadirgamar, who passed away on August 12, 2005, was one of the finest sports personalities produced by Trinity College Kandy. In addition to his sports career he was also an exemplary student. He won numerous academic accolades while at Trinity including the Dr. Andreas Nell Memorial Prize for Ceylon History, the Napier Clavering Prize for English and the Ryde Gold Medal for the Best All-Round Student in 1950. He was seen at Trinity during most functions, brimming with great pride. His exceptional leadership qualities, intelligence and integrity inspired several generations of Trinitians who sought to emulate him.
Lakshman represented the Trinity first XI cricket team from 1948 to 1950, captaining in the last year and winning cricket 
colors.Kadirgamar was also awarded colors in rugby in 1949. He played alongside several top names such as Dennis Ratwatte, Eustace Rulach, Maurice Hemon, Rod Tucker, Kamaleshan Arumugam, Rizvi Mohamed and the late Berty Dias to name a few. He represented the Lions at the Bradby encounters in 1948 and 1949.
However, athletics was Kadirgamar’s pet sport and he went on to dominate his opponents at the Public School Meet, breaking the record in the 110m hurdles (15.7 seconds) in 1949. He was awarded the Trinity Lion in 1949. When the Duncan White Challenge Cup was awarded in 1949 for the first time, it was Kadirgamar who won it. In the same year he also claimed the De Soysa Challenge Cup.
While an undergrad at the University of Peradeniya, he won the All Ceylon 110m hurdles title in 1951 and 1952, the All India Inter-University 110m hurdles title and set records at Ahamedabad in 1951 and Allahabad in 1952. He was also a member of the cricket teams of the University of Ceylon and later Balliol College, University of Oxford becoming an Oxford Blue in cricket
His loss has been a major blow for the country. However his contribution across a number of fields will be remembered for many years to come.
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