Charith’s moment in cloud-nine
View(s):Richmond College and Sri Lanka Under-19s skipper Charith Asalanka, who is rated as one of the promising allrounders for the Sri Lanka national team, won the 37th Bata-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2016 at a glamorous awards ceremony held at the BMICH on Friday.
In 1979 it was Royalist Ranjan Madugalle who in as the first recipient of the Bata Schoolboy Cricketer of the year content. Thirty six contests hence, it was the turn of young Richmondite Charith Asalanka who crowned the event — the second time in-a-row cutting a new niche.
Winning the award back-to-back have been achieved only by cricketers in the calibre of Arjuna Ranatunga, Roshan Mahanama and Thilan Samaraweera. A proud heritage indeed.
Asalanka also won the award for the Best Batsman in the All-Island category as Sammu Ashan of Ananda College became second best while also becoming the second best in the main draw, the Schoolboy Cricket of the Year award. St. Sebastian’s College Katuneriya’s Asitha Madushan Fernando, who became the Best Bowler in the All-Island category won the second runner-up award of the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year. Interestingly he was the Emerging Cricketer of the Year in last year’s show. The runner-up award of the Best Bowler went to Avishka Thulanjana Fernando of St. Joseph Vaz College.
Ravin Sayer won the award for the Best Captain and his team, Trinity College earned the Best All-Island Team award. Isipathana College’s Promod Maduwantha won the Best Allrounder award in the All-Island category while Akash Senaratne of De Mazenod College became second best. Wanindu Hasaranga of Richmond College won the All-Island Best Fielder award while Asitha Gihan Abeyratne of St. Joseph Vaz College emerged runner-up.
When award winners walked the isle — they came from all parts of the island, thus proving that the Lankan cricket fraternity is grow by the day. Adding glamour to the show were entertainment gigs and the cut above the rest was singer and inimitable entertainer Sangeeth Wijesuriya and his band Wayo, who got the youngsters out on their feet dancing. Joining the party was songstress Raini Gunathilake and Prasadhi’s Dancing Troupe.
Charith Asalanka with the Chief Guest Roshan Mahanama after receiving the award (Pix by Amila Gamage, Anuradha Bandara and Ranjith Perera)
Sri Lanka Under-19s skipper and Richmond College captain Charith Asalanka receives the prestigious the Bata-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2016 award from the Chief Guest, Roshan Mahanama. Also in the picture are (from left) Sarathchandra de Silva, Jayantha Seneviratne, Sunil Jayaweera, Lal Jayawardene, Amitav Nandy, Gayani Rajapakse and Ejaz Siddiqui
Asitha Madusanka Fernando receives the award for the second runner-up of the Bata-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2016 from Roshan Mahanama, watched by Sarathchandra de Silva, Jayantha Seneviratne, Lal Jayawardene, Sunil Jayaweera and Amitav Nandy, the CEO of Bata
Risith Upamal Dias of Sri Dharmaloka College Kelaniya became the Emerging Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2016. He receives the award from Roshan Mahanama, the Chief Guest while Sarathchandra de Silva (L), the President of Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association, Jayantha Seneviratne, the Chairman of Bata-the Sunday Times Selection Committee, Lal Jayawardene, Director of Wijeya Newspapers and Sunil Jayaweera, the Guest of Honour look on
Ravin Sayer, the skipper of Trinity College emerged the All-Island best captain. His award was presented by Gayani Rajapakse, the Costing and Efficiency Manager of Bata watched by Amitav Nandy, the CEO of Bata
Sammu Ashan receives his well-earned runner-up award of the Bata-the Sunday Times Schoolboys Cricketer of the Year 2016 from Roshan Mahanama, the Chief Guest
St. Peter's College Negombo was adjudged the most promising team of the year. The award is presented by Amitav Nandy, the CEO of Bata
St. Mary's College Kegalle also became the best emerging team. Here the captain of the team receives the award.