Umpire P.U. Ariyawansa - A great team man

I was extremely shocked to hear about the unexpected demise of my friend Mr. P.U. Ariyawansa. I knew him from 1985 as a competent first class cricket umpire.

The name of P.U. Ariyawansa brings to one’s mind a small, thin man, but he was a great team man, wonderful organizer, and he called a spade a spade. He had a lion heart. He took bold decisions in all his activities which were so successful.

As an umpire he did a tremendous service to umpires Association I can still remember, how smartly he handled the detailing of umpires throughout the island when he was the assignment secretary of the Association of Cricket Umpires, Sri Lanka in early nineties.

He was very interested in improving the welfare of the umpires. He helped the needy and fought for their rights.

After joining Mercantile Cricket Association he devoted his precious time to develop the entire ground conditions and the environment. All the cricket tournaments worked off beautifully due to the hard work of this great man. He did his duty without fear or favour.

He was a person who talked less and listened much. He was very thoughtful in his deeds. He never hurt others feelings. He was a good human being; he never failed to attend funerals especially. He knew the importance of paying the last respect to his colleagues or their relatives in their death. He was a one word man. I’m so proud to mention that I was able to officiate with him the match between the Canada national side and the one of school’s eleven played at the Premadasa stadium,

“May he attain Nibbana”

G. Hallalaarachchi
Kolonnawa