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Sports

Whither P. Saravanamuttu International Stadium
By Bernie Wijesekera
P. Saravanamuttu, the cricketing legend hailed from S. Thomas' Mt. Lavinia. Later on in his life was president of the Tamil Union and the then Ceylon Cricket Association did much for the uplift of the game here with his own men and material.

The Wanathamulla marshy land was converted into a playing field known as the Colombo Oval. It was the only international venue recognised by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The venue in the past made vast strides with all the international matches played there. Some all-time greats played at this picturesque venue - including the humble Bowral Boy - the late Sir Don Bradman.

The inaugural test match between Sri Lanka - England was played here with much pomp and pageant. The venue was later named as the P. 'Saravanamuttu' Stadium. But times changed. Despite all the facilities (redevelopment) by Tamil Union hierarchy to make the venue fit to stage any international game.

The venue has been overlooked despite better facilities - including a modern 'Muralitharan indoor sports complex'. The club in the 1983 holocaust (July). The clubhouse, suffered irreparable damage.

Apparently petty politics is the cause for most evils in sport bodies, today with their funds collected by the membership and well-wishers put it back. Accept for one or two occasions in 1985 the club failed to come into reckoning for reasons best known to the power that be.

After promising to afford the venue for a test match against England but later revoked in 2003. The England - Sri Lanka tie was changed to another venue with hardly any facilities (including toilets).

Imagine the P. 'Sara' stadium gained much recognition by the ICC for the first time in the history of test cricket. It became a neutral venue to play a test between Pakistan and Australia and came in for high praise even pertaining for the preparation of the pitch. It had even bounce and lasted for five days. Australia under Steve Waugh won the test. But Sohaib Akthar proved to be the scourge with his hostile bowling. The Aussie top order was in a disarray.

Tryphone Mirando the former secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka and senior official of Tamil Union said, "P. 'Sara' stadium was not good enough for Sri Lanka cricket, but good for the ICC. At present 90 percent of the team comprise of Sinhalese. But petty power-hungry politics in sports bodies is the cause for most of the prevailing ills.

The Asia Cup will be staged later this month, only two venues that are considered - Dambulla Stadium and the SSC grounds. Its being organized by the Asian Cricket Council. If overtures were made to Mr. Dalmiya at least one SSC game could have been shifted to P. 'Sara' stadium in honour of a great son of Sri Lanka who made a name in Malaysia and in India during his tenure as president of the Board of Control for cricket in Sri Lanka.

It was the likes of P. 'Sara' and Robert Senanayake who really worked relentlessly with their own personal funds to uplift the game and make a strong case for the Lankans to gain test status, with tremendous support given by others. "You reap what you sow"
P. 'Sara' has left an indelible mark in the annals of Sri Lanka cricket on and off the field".

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