Cricket: Dr. Upali Mahanama Memorial Lecture on October 10

The Dr Upali Mahanama Memorial Foundation was inaugurated by his friends, relatives and organisations such as Jaycees (Junior Chamber) and the Free Masons of Sri Lanka, of which the late Dr Mahanama was an ardent and active member. 

The Mission of the Dr Mahanama Foundation is to follow his ideals, and keep with the spirit, his love and dedication in service to humanity, by creating events that enlighten and educate fellow humans in keeping with his life's mission. 

A much talented man, be it in Sports, Marketing, Sales, Administration, Music or Public Speaking, he was a versatile cricketer and Cricket Administrator, having held positions such as the President of the Sri Lanka Umpires Association, and President of the Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA). 

He was the proud father of two leading cricketers of Sri Lanka Devaka and Roshan Mahanama. 

In addition to his cricketing abilities, he was an orator of no mean repute and was a lecturer in Marketing, having got his initial training at Unilever Sri Lanka. 

His knowledge and expertise in Marketing allowed him to travel to many countries such as Bangladesh, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, the Middle East and Thailand, where he conducted Marketing courses for several International Companies of repute. 

Dr. Mahanama has always been, among other things, a humanitarian, and has helped and supported many in need during his lifetime. 

His genuine love and concern for his family, friends, relatives, as well as his selfless service to those in need, made him a much loved man by all who knew him, from the man on the street to his students, cricketing fraternity and the corporates. 

He was a founder member of the Colombo South Jaycees (now the Junior Chamber) and National President of the Sri Lanka Jaycees in 1976, Vice President of Jaycees International in 1977, and was awarded the coveted JCI Senatorship, the Highest International JCI honor bestowed on a member for his or her contribution and commitment to the organisation. 

Later, he joined the Free Masons of Sri Lanka and was an active member while holding many positions in his Lodge. 

The first Memorial Lecture of the Dr Upali Mahanama Foundation is scheduled for October 10 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo 7, at 6.30 pm. 

The lecture will be delivered by Bandula Warnapura on the subject of 'Sri Lanka Cricket – Past, Present and the Future'. 

Warnapura was the 1st Test Cricket Captain of Sri Lanka, a former ICC Match Referee, former Director Operations of Sri Lanka Cricket, and a former Development Manager of the Asian Cricket Council. 

The lecture will be inspiring and educational considering the current Cricket landscape of Sri Lanka. 

Admission to the lecture is on Invitation and all those interested in attending this educative lecture are requested to send 'sms' or 'WhatsApp' message to 0777 759 963 or email: upalimahanamafoundation@gmail.com to receive an invitation.