Kalutara Vidyalaya a fine cricket nursery

Kalutara Vidyalaya, despite many trials and tribulations has made a name –especially in cricket. Despite limited resources they have maintained the spirit and its dignity at all levels. Kalutara Vidyalaya formed the past cricketers foundation in 2003 and now they have reached the level of becoming one of the main suppliers of cricket’s national grid.

In the recent OWSC “Sixers” too Kalutara MV nudged De Mazenod Kandana in the final to emerge champions.

President Maj. General Nissanka Wijesinghe, who captained the team in 1974 along with co-ordinator Ranjan Paranawithane are the main cogs-in-the-wheel at the Kalutara MV cricket foundation..

Ranjan has the distinction of coaching the team from 1985’-’92. In 1991 Kalutara MV beat beat Royal in a quarter final school 50 –over match. The team was led by former Sri Lanka paceman Dulip Liyanage, who also played for the Colts CC.

The school has had a cherished background on and off the field. Shelley Wickremasinghe, a name to be reckoned with in the district initially played for Kalutara Vidyalaya before migrating to St. Peter’s. Somawansa Amarasinghe the JVP leader also played for the Kalutara Vidyalaya in the ‘60’s as a leg-spinner. Renowned singer Narada Dissasekera skippered the team in 1951. Even former Sri Lanka chief cricket selector Lalith Kaluperuma, played junior cricket for Kalutara Vidyalaya., before crossing over to Nalanda.

This year’s team is led by Chintaka de Silva. Chintaka said that it was hard grinding for them to be in the fray with limited facilities. No proper ground unlike their counterparts from the Colombo district. The old boys are helping them to some extent – especially the Cricket Foundation organized by the past cricketers. This inspired them a lot. “Despite setbacks Kalutara Vidyalaya is forging ahead” said de Silva.

Paranawithane, a diehard cricket promoter at his own school or otherwise, said despite all these short comings Kalutara Vidyalaya has produced some outstanding national players for the country. When compared to some of the leading cricket playing elite schools. Dulip Liyanage, left-arm fast bowler Ruwan Sujeewa Silva from yester-year. In the present national team Tillekeratne Dilshan and Malinga Bandara the right-arm leg-spinner are shining examples of the consistency the school has maintained. Furthermore in the Under-19 national team – Nadeera Nawala and Milinda Siriwardena who now turn out for the Sebastiantes are waiting on the wings to get their break with the ‘big boys’ in the national team. Milinda, was elected the player of the tournament in the U-23 tournament. Lanky Madura Lakmal was adjudged the fastest bowler – in the Pace Ace programme conducted by the SLC.

The trio at present are among the 20 academy players.

Sri Lanka Cricket as promised an astro turf and now this become a reality.

Manilal Fernando Sri Lanka’s football chief is also an old boy of Kalutara Vidyalaya