Tamil Union celebrates 125 years of excellence
The Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club marked its 125th anniversary on Thursday (March 27), celebrating a rich legacy in Sri Lankan cricket. The event, held at the iconic P. Saravanamuttu Stadium, brought together past and present players, committee members, and supporters to honour the club’s contributions to the sport over the past century.
President Ramesh Schaffter, Deputy President Dr. Rajan Saravanamuttu, Patron Chandra Schaffter, Vice President Gemunu Rodrigo, General Secretary Anish Parathalingam, and Immediate Past President A. Kandasamy headed the press conference, which celebrated the club’s long-standing commitment to cricket and highlighted its critical role in developing talent and fostering lasting relationships across generations.
Patron Chandra Schaffter being presented with a bat signed by Sir Don Bradman - Pix by M. A. Pushpa Kumara
In his welcome address, Parathalingam reflected on the club’s journey, stating, “Since its founding 125 years ago, our club has been more than just a cricketing institution. It has been home for generations of players, a place where lifelong friendships were forged and where the love for the game has been passed down through the years.”
Patron Chandra Schaffter, a member for over 77 years, shared the club’s history, recalling its origins in Campbell Park in the late 1890s and its move to Wanatamulla in the 1940s.
“The club’s foundation was established in 1899, and it remained at Campbell Park for many years before moving to Wanatamulla in 1942-43. One notable figure in the club’s history was the late P. Saravanamuttu, who used his friendship with P.S. Dahanayake, then Minister for Land, to make significant improvements. The ground was originally a marsh, but P. Saravanamuttu and his associates filled it with earth, transforming it into a beautiful playing field. This site became home to Sri Lanka’s first cricket stadium, making the club the first to have a proper cricket stadium until the 1970s. Even afterward, no other club had a stadium of the same calibre, meaning all international matches and visiting team games were played exclusively at the Oval.”
The Tamil Union has since grown into one of Sri Lanka’s leading cricket institutions. Nephew of late P. Saravanamuttu, Deputy President Dr. Saravanamuttu, presented a vision for the future, focusing on infrastructure development and fostering women’s and veterans’ cricket. He stressed the importance of collaborating with the government and the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka to elevate the stadium and its facilities, ensuring Tamil Union remains a top international venue.
Dr. Saravanamuttu emphasised plans for future growth, including infrastructure upgrades, women’s cricket development, and collaboration with Sri Lanka Cricket to elevate the venue. The club aims to enhance its facilities, to maintain its status as a premier international venue.
The iconic P. Sara Oval where the great Sir Don Bradman made his only appearence in Asia
“At the Oval, we are proud hosts of women’s cricket and take this responsibility very seriously. We have a 10-year contract with the Cricket Board to promote and support women’s cricket. When Ramesh and I took over a few years ago, we also began hosting veterans’ cricket, which has since become one of the fastest-growing segments in the sport. Today, veterans are classified as players aged 40 and above, as it’s tough to secure a place in the national Test squad. In our 125th year, the patron, Ramesh, a few other committee members, and I initiated a project to further develop the club. Our goal is to increase the seating capacity by 15,000 to 18,000, introduce day-night facilities, and enhance the overall infrastructure.
“With the new socialist government in place, I urge support from the government, the Ministry of Sports, the Board, and Tamil Union to form a tripartite agreement to develop the Oval and improve the surrounding area,” Dr. Saravanamuttu added.
The club’s history is rich with legendary cricketers, with names like Rohan Kanhai, Wesley Howell, and Sir Donald Bradman gracing its grounds. Dr. Saravanamuttu also spoke about the significance of the Oval, which has hosted Sri Lanka’s first Test match, first Test victory, and the first neutral Test series.
The celebration also highlighted the club’s continued impact on Sri Lankan cricket, with players such as Muttiah Muralitharan, Niroshan Bandarathilake, and Upul Chandana having roots in Tamil Union. The club has been instrumental in developing talent that has gone on to represent Sri Lanka at the highest levels of the sport.
President Ramesh Schaffter highlighted the club’s enduring legacy and its role in shaping Sri Lanka’s cricketing landscape. He emphasised Tamil Union’s contributions to producing iconic players, hosting historic matches, and its vision for the future.
“We continue to support and nurture cricketing talent by running a hostel for around 10 outstation cricketers who reside here while training. Looking ahead, we are committed to further developing the sport. Our investment in cricket includes plans to establish high-level coaching camps, where outstation players will receive top-tier training. These camps will be led by former stars like Murali, Suranga (Lakmal), and Upul (Chandana)—players who have competed at the national level and are eager to give back to the club,” he said.
The event concluded with the symbolic handover of a signed memento by legendary cricketer Sir Donald Bradman to Patron Schaffter, further emphasising the importance of maintaining a connection to the sport’s rich history. Looking ahead, Tamil Union plans further upgrades to its facilities, including the introduction of day-night fixtures and expansions to accommodate growing crowds.