Harischandra-Sri Pragnananda Battle of the Maroons after 22 years
The two teams with officials
The ’93-’96 Batch of Harischandra College, Negombo and College, Raddoluwa have come forward to revive the Battle of the Maroons annual Cricket encounter between their respective schools, after 22 years. The fixture was inaugurated in 1991 and played until 1996, when it was stopped due to lack of resources.
Harischandra College, with a proud record of 77 years, has produced many scholars and sportsmen and sportswomen of repute. Athletes such as Amith Dhammika who held Sri Lanka’s 200 metres record and Dushmantha Chameera presently representing the National cricket team, are 2 outstanding alumni. The past teams of the 2 schools have played in many Schools’ Division II finals and finished Runners-up many times.
It was sad to note that Harischandra College had found it difficult to continue playing the game at a competitive level, due to lack of funds. In view of re-starting the series, the loyal past pupils of both schools have come forward to organise 2 T20 matches between the Old Boys of both schools, as a 1st step towards resuming the Battle of the Maroons from next year.
The two matches scheduled to be played are today (26) at the Walisinghe Harischandra Grounds, Katana. The 1st T20 match will be for Old Boys of above 40 years, while the 2nd T20 match will be played by past cricketers below 40 years.
The 1st 3 Battle of the Maroons in 1991, ’92 and ’93 was won by Harischandra College under the leadership of Thushara Jithendra. Y.B. Indika and Anton Fernando. Sri Pragnananda College won from 1994 to 1996. Gemunu Tennekoon, Priyantha Tissera and Sean Mackay captained the winning teams of the Raddoluwa school.
Negombo Harischandra College Over-40 team from: Damith Nishantha, Ravi Bandara, Dhammika Surendra, Priyantha Tissera, Sean Mackay, Mahesh Samarawikrama, Asanka Nadeeshan, Ruwan Tennakoon, Suranga Paris, Chamara Delpachitra, Chandana Fernando, Sanjeewa Silva, Upul Balasuriya, Gayal De Silva, Pradeep Gunaselera, Samamtha Fernando.
Under-40 team from: Sanjeewa Arangallage, Nadeesh Pannilawithanage, Chinthaka Kulasinghe, Neil Priyantha, Dinesh Perera, Supun Dilshan, Sajith Asanga, Namal Chathuranga, Rukmal Wasantha, Kesara Lakshan, Supun Madushantha, Hashan Chathuranga, Chameera Madushanka, Shehan Madushanka.