Cricket: Ashok Vitharana funeral on Sunday

Walk into a forum at once you can pick the unspoiled smile of Ashok who would walk up to you and engage in a common topic.   Besides being a sports lover, there was another plus point that he was born with; that was his public relation acumen.   Like by instinct he always knew what subject to choose to carry on a conversation with any one and he also knew how to carry on with it.   Ashok Vitharana, better known as Ashok was a born sportsman, he began his cricket and rugby at Isipathana and played first Xl cricket in 1975 before moving on to St. Peter’s.   Ashok represented St. Peter’s in cricket from 1976 to 1977 and played 1st XV rugby in 1977.   After leaving school Ashok represented BRC from 1976 to 1980 and holds the record for the 9th wicket of 160 runs against SSC in 1979 with former Nalandian Ranjith Rajapakse who went on to make a century while Ashok remained unbeaten on 60.   He was employed at the National Lotteries Board since 1985 and at the time of his death he functioned as Additional General Manager.   His funeral will take place today at 3.30pm at the Baddegana Cemetery, Baddegana, Kotte.