Desktop Publishing take top honours
Desktop Publishing 'B' skipper Thushara Sampath receives the D.R. Wijeyawardene Challenge Trophy from Lal Jayawardene, Director of Wijeya Newspapers
Desktop Publishing ‘B’ defeated Hokandara ‘B’ by 18 runs to claim the D.R. Wijeyawardene Challenge Trophy at the Inter-Department Cricket Tournament of Wijeya Newspapers held at the Janaka Ranawaka ground in Rajagiriya last weekend.
Desktop Publishing ‘B’ became the best cricket team among other department sides of Wijeya Newspapers for the first time as they managed to overcome the stiff challenge of firm favourites Hokandara ‘B’ in the final played under floodlights. In the semi-finals Desktop Publishing ‘B’ beat Advertising ‘B’ while Hokandara ‘B’ overcame Ada to reach the final. The winning team’s Shanaka Praneeth was adjudged the player of the final and Thilina Maduranga was named the player of the tournament. E.A.R.S. Prasanna of Hokandara ‘B’ won the award for the best bowler of the tournament while Supun Madushanka of Advertising ‘B’ was adjudged the best batsman of the tournament.
Desktop Publishing ‘B’ team was led by Thushara Sampath with Susara Sanjeewa, Danushka Wijesiri, Salinda Thilanka, Lalinda Priyankara, Sampath Godage, Indika Prasanna, Channa Kassapa, Hasaranga Pathirana, Shanaka Praneeth and Thilina Maduranga forming the victorious unit.
Prior to the final an exhibition match between two ladies teams was held in which the Hunupitiya Branch led by Sadheera Yatawara beat the Hyde Park Branch led by Lasanthi Perera.
A total of 32 teams competed in the two-day tournament which attracted many in to the ground on both days. Two teams each — ‘A’ and ‘B’ — were fielded by Hokandara, Dispatch, Daily Lankadeepa, Ada, Transport, Press, Advertising and Desktop Publishing departments. Information Systems, the Sunday Times, Digital Media, Wijeya, Design, Production, Stores, Maintenance, Sunday Lankadeepa, Circulation, Electrical, Human Resources, Security, Deshaya, Commercial Press and Daily Mirror fielded a team each.
The annual tournament was organised and conducted by the Welfare Society of Wijeya Newspapers led by Lakmal Gamage for the 14th consecutive year. The committee also included Aneesha Manimelwadu, Roshan Thantrige, Indika Jayamaha, Palitha Pushpakumara, Sajith Dharshana and Kanchana Dassanayake, who played a major role in structuring out the two-day event. Bank of Ceylon, National Development Bank, Nations Trust Bank, Commercial Bank, DFCC Back and Nestle` Lanka partnered the event as sponsors.
Player of the tournament, Thilina Maduranga of Desktop Publishing 'B' receiving his award from Kanchana Dassanayake, the Chief Editor of Ada
The victorious Desktop Publishing team with the D.R. Wijeyawardene Challenge Trophy
Hokandara 'B' emerged runners-up