SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR

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April 25, 2021

Navod Paranavithana - 02 SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR

Best schoolboy team 2020 (all island) Trinity College receive their trophy presented by guest of honour, Minister of Information and Media in the presence of ANCL Chairman W. Dayaratne PC (Pix: Sudath Malaweera) pleads with school cricketers... ‘Be committed and disciplined’ ormer - be a long and hard road ahead. When tain and 1996 World Cup you leave school you will want to play champion Sanath Jayasuriya for a club and that will be the next step Fcalled on the next generation and it will mean that you have compet- of budding players to be committed in ed in all the age groups at school and what they do while adhering to disci- this is the best that your school can do pline and the rules of fair-play if they for you. are to succeed. “When I played for school it was He made the remarks when he ad- not easy to enter the Sri Lanka team. dressed winners of the 42nd Observer- But today I think it is different where SLT Mobitel School Cricket Awards you have more opportunities to be part held at the BMICH in last of the Sri Lanka team which is not do- Tuesday as the chief guest. ing too well these days. “I myself won this award and I knew “Sri Lanka looks forward to play- how important this was to me at that ers like you who will some day in the time when we did not even have the ba- near future make the grade. In the sic facilities. It is very different today Sanath Jayasuriya addresses budding school cricketers at the past like until about 15 years ago we where you have all the facilities and Observer-SLT Mobitel Cricketer Awards had schoolboy players who wore the opportunities to realize your dreams Sri Lanka cap straight from school of playing for Sri Lanka. said Jayasuriya. stood in the way to discourage him de- and I think some of you could be next. “So be committed make the most Recalling his school days Jayas- spite the absence of facilities unlike in It is my only hope and wish to see of what you have and pay attention to uriya said he was only nine years old the present era. players coming from all over the coun- discipline. Without discipline you will playing in the Under-11 team at St. Ser- “It is not going to be easy for anyone try able to make it to the Sri Lanka not go far as a cricketer or sportsman,” vatius College at Matara and nothing to be part of the Sri Lanka team. It will team,” said Jayasuriya

Best schoolgirl team of the Year 2020 Devapathiraja College, Ratgama receive their trophy from the Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom Rohan Fernando in the presence of Sunday Observer Editor in Chief Dinesh Weerawansa and guest of honour Minister of Information and Media Keheliya Rambukwella SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR 03

Schoolboy Cricketer 1979 Royal College Ranjan Madugalle is a former Sri Lank- an cricketer and a former of the Sri Lankan team, who became a in 1993. He was educated at Trinity College, Kandy and Royal College, Colombo. Madugalle who showed early promise as a schoolboy at Royal College, became a top Sri Lanka cricketer. He was the fi rst winner of the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer 1979 and went on to captain the Sri Lanka team and now oc- cupies the prestigious seat of Chief Match Referee of the ICC. Ranjan Madugalle who has been a popular Test Debut fi gure at this competition (Observer School- Vs at Colombo (PSS) boy Cricketer) won it in 1979 and said “it was Feb 17-21, 1982 one of the best things that happened to me in 1979 when I won the Observer Schoolboy Last Test Cricketer of the Year Award”. He said play- ing for Royal brought him immense joy. “The Vs England at Lord’s school cricketers must be motivated and the He presented Sri Lanka in international Aug 25-30, 1988 outstation cricketers must not be neglected. cricket between 1979 and 1988, making his debut This contest will give all encouragement to in the 1979 ICC Trophy fi nal against Canada. He ODI Debut the school cricketers,” he said. had the honour of being in the fi rst Sri Lankan Vs at Manchester, He was one of the fi nest all rounders pro- Test team in 1982, and top-scored in the fi rst in- Jun 16-18, 1979 duced by Royal. Besides captaining Royal and nings with 65 – making a 99 runs then Sri Lanka under-19, he played a vital role with . Madugalle represented Last ODI against to achieve success winning Sri Lanka in 21 Test matches and 63 one day In- Vs Pakistan at the ‘Ali Bhutto Trophy’ with his all round ternationals and also captained the Sri Lankan Oct 27, 1988 performances. cricket team in two Test matches.

Schoolboy Cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga 1980-82

Captaincy record was 56 matches,12 wins,19 Arjuna Ranatunga is a former international crick- losses, 25 draws and the highest ODI eter and cricket administrator. He captained the Sri Lankan cricket team in the 1990s and led them in the score of 131 was made against India, 1996 victory. In the 2015 General Colombo, 1997. elections he contested with the UNF for Good Gov- ernance and was placed second in Gampaha Dis- trict, and was appointed Minister of Ports and Shipping. Arjuna along with his brothers (Dammika,Nishantha,Prasanna, Sanjeeva and Ruwan) he studied at Ananda College Colombo where his mother was a teacher and where he started playing cricket. He represented his school in both junior and senior teams. A specialist left-handed batsman and part- inside the boundary line, halting play and giving the Test Debut time medium pace bowler, Ranatunga’s career with impression that he was about to forfeit the match, un- vs England at Colombo the Sri Lankan national team began in 1982, when til the Sri Lankan management conferred with him (PSS),Feb.17-21,1982 Sri Lanka were relative new-comers to international and play resumed. In June 2000, Ranatunga played in Sri Lanka’s Last and was a key player in the team. Under Ra- natunga’s captaincy, Sri Lanka started to improve 100th Test match, becoming the only player to repre- vs at Colombo rapidly. Their growing success rate culminated with sent his country in their fi rst and hundredth Tests. (SSC) Aug 6-10,2000. a dominating performance and triumphed in the 1996 Ranatunga’s highest Test batting score of 135 not ODI Debut Cricket World Cup. out was made against Pakistan, Colombo,1985-1986. vs England at Colombo Ranatunga is also remembered for his stand in a Captaincy record was 56 matches,12 wins,19 loss- es, 25 draws and the highest ODI batting score of 131 (SSC), Feb 14,1982. against England. Australian called Muttiah Muralidaran not out was made against India, Colombo, 1997. Last ODI Ranatunga’s best bowling fi gures of 4 for 14 came vs Kenya at Southampton, for and Ranatunga exchanged heated words with umpire Emerson and led his team to a point just against India at in 1986-1987. May 30,1999 04 SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR

Schoolboy Cricketer Test Debut 1983-84 Nalanda College Sri Lanka v Pakistan at Colombo (CCC) Mar 14 -18, 1986 Roshan Mahanama is a former Sri Last Test Lankan cricketer and former ICC match South Africa v Sri Lanka at Centurion, referee. He was a key member in the Mar 27-30, 1998 wining team for Sri Lanka. He is the first man to stand ODI Debut as a match referee in a day-night Test Sri Lanka v Pakistan at Kandy Mar 2, match in history. 1986 The high point of his school career Last ODI was his splendid unbeaten knock of 145 Southampton, May 30, 1999 runs in the ‘’ against Anan- da which established a record when he the captaincy of Aravinda de . captained the team in 1984. In the 1992 Cricket World Cup, Ro- With such wonderful promise that shan Mahanama was selected as open- he held out as a schoolboy at Nalan- ing batsman along with M.A.R. Sa- da College, it was no surprise that he marasekera and U.C. Hathurusinha, would climb the ladder of success – scoring 59 runs off 89 balls vs Zimba- and climb he did in inter-school cricket bwe, 80 runs off 131 balls vs New Zea- seasons and it was no surprise land and 68 runs off 121 balls vs South that the judges in the Observer a Test Match against India at the R. Africa. Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Premadasa Stadium in 1997, since sur- Following his retirement from in- Contests picked him as School- passed by and Ma- ternational cricket in 1999, Roshan boy Cricketer of the Year for two hela Jayawardene in 2006. Mahanama made the transition into years in succession in 1983 and Mahanama’s contribution to that becoming an International Cricket 1984. partnership was 225, the, highest score Council match referee. A dashing right-hand batsman and of his career. He was a key member of He made his debut as a match ref- brilliant fielder Roshan Mahanama is Sri Lanka’s World Cup wining side of eree in the ODI between West Indies best remembered as a cricketer for his 1996. Roshan Mahanama established and in Kingstown 2004. world record second partner- himself as a stylish opening batsman ship of 576 with Sanath Jayasuriya in in the late 1980s and early 1990s under

Schoolboy Cricketer 1985 Nalanda College Asanka Gurusinha is a former Sri Lankan cricket- er who enjoyed an 11-year international career, play- ing 41 Tests and 147 One Day Internationals for Sri Lanka. He was a specialist batsman who helped win the 1996 World Cup final with 65 in a partnership of 125 with the final’s Man of the Match, . He studied at , Colombo and then joined Nalanda College Colombo. He now lives in , . Test Debut Gurusinha was selected as the Sunday Observer vs Pakistan at Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 1985, the year he Nov.7-11,1985 captained Nalanda College. At the tail-end of his school cricket career, Gu- Last Test rusinha, went further to stamp his class as a future vs at Colombo Test prospect when he scored an unbeaten (SSC) in the 56th Ananda-Nalanda ’Big’ cricket encounter Sep 18-21,1996 and immediately followed it up by scoring a century for a Board President’s XI against a touring Indian ODI Debut team captained by . vs Pakistan at Gurusinha played in 41 Test matches and 147 Nov 3, 1985 ODIs and was the 32nd Test ‘cap’ for his country. His Last ODI has seven Test hundreds and eight Test 50s. He has back nostalgic memories, saying that the Sunday vs Pakistan at scored centuries against Pakistan (1), New Zealand Observer/Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Nov 8, 1996. (3), Australia (2) and Zimbabwe (1). Against Pakistan, contest during his time was a highly competitive one Gurusinha batted at number three and gradually ce- with highly talented schoolboys in many schools vy- mented his place. Being a strongly built left-hander ing for honours. Cup winning batting line up. His application at the Gurusinha provided the much needed solidarity in Gurusinha was called up at 19 as a wicket-keeper, crisis situations to drag the team through was a ma- the side’s batting. a role he took in a further two ODIs and one Test and jor highlight for those who watched the World Series Gurusinha now domiciled in Australia brought was one of the main pillars of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World tournament back in 1996. SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR 05

Schoolboy Cricketer Rohan Buultjens Schoolboy Cricketer Roshan Jurangpathy 1981 St. Peter’s College 1986 Royal College

Roshan Jurangpathy (born 25 June 1967) is a former Sri Lankan Test cricketer. India’s was his only Test wicket.

Batting style – Right-hand batsman Bowling style – Right-arm-off-break Test debut The stylish left-hand batsman and – 14 September 1985 v India medium pace bowler, Rohan Buultjens Last wicket won the prestigious Observer Schoolboy – 27 December 1986 v India Cricketer of the Year award in 1981 the first Peterite to win the top award.

Schoolboy Cricketer Schoolboy Cricketer Rohan Weerakkody Sanjeewa Ranatunga 1987 St. Joseph’s College 1988 Ananda College

Rohan Nishantha Weerakkody Sanjeeva Ranatunga is (born April 30, 1968 in Colombo ) a former Sri Lankan is a former Sri Lankan cricketer. cricketer who played I9 Making his known debut for the Tests and 13 ODIs from Sri Lankan Young Cricketers 1994 to 1997. He has side, he went on to captain the scored two centuries team on seven occasions during in Tests; 118 and 100* the 1987/88 Youth World Cup, against Zimbabwe in winning three matches. He played 1994. Sanjeeva, became domestic cricket professionally the sixth Anandian to for NCC at both First-class and win the prestigious List A level. He played primarily Observer Schoolboy as a bowler with a good bowling Cricketer of the Year average in the low 20s. award in 1988.

Schoolboy Cricketer Kumara Dharmasena 1989 Nalanda College Kumara Dharmasena is a right-arm handed batsman ternationals for Sri Lanka be- Sri Lankan and international and a right-arm off break tween 1993 and 2004. cricket umpire and former bowler. He umpired his first inter- international player. He was a of Na- national match in 2009, over- member of the landa College who won the Ob- seeing the one-day Interna- Sri Lanka server Schoolboy Cricketer of tional between India and Sri team that the Year award in 1989 played Lanka at the International Sta- won the in 31 Tests and 141 one-day In- dium in Dambulla and remains 1996 Cricket the youngest ever Sri Lankan World Cup. to umpire any international He was a match. He umpired at the and was ap- pointed to the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires later that year. Dhar- masena was named the Um- pire of the Year at the 2012 ICC Awards, for which he received the Trophy. 06 SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR

Schoolboy Cricketer He made his one-day International debut against India at . He was appointed as captain of the one-day team on Ananda College April 2003. In April 2011 after the World Cup, Atapattu was 1990 named as the batting coach of the Sri Lankan national team. Marvan Atapattu (born 22 November 1970 Following ’s early unexpected exit in 2014, he in Kalutara) is a former Sri Lankan cricketer was appointed as interim head coach of the team. During this and former Sri Lankan captain. He has coached period, Sri Lanka won its first Test series in England in 16 Canada and Singapore national cricket teams years, with a 1-0 win in its 2014 previously. From April 2014 to September 2015, tour. He officially took over as he was the Head Coach of the Sri Lankan team. Head Coach in September Marvan Atapattu started his cricket career 2014 and was the team’s as a teenager at Mahinda College, Galle. Then first local coach in 15 years. crossed over to Ananda College, Colombo, where he was subsequently coached by P.W. Perera. Atapattu first came to the limelight winning the prestigious Sunday Observer Cricketer of the Year title in 1990. Since then, he went great guns, captaining SSC and Sri Lanka team with distinction. He was the batting coach of the Sri Lanka national team and graced the 34th Observer- Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer mega show as the chief guest on September 11, 2012. Making his Test debut in November 1990 He registered his highest Test score of 249 against just after his 20th birthday, his first six in- Zimbabwe in 2004,sharing a 438 partnership with Kumar nings yielded five ducks and a single run, but Sangakkara for the second wicket. supporters insist that his debut- puts him in good company with batsmen such Batting and averages as Mike Atherton, Graham Gooch, Saeed An- Mat Inns No Runs HS Ave war and , who all made debut-in- Tests 90 156 15 5502 249 39.02 nings ducks and went on to score at least 2500 Test runs. ODIs 268 259 32 8529 132* 37.57

Schoolboy Cricketer Muttiah Muralidaran (born 17 April 1972) is a former Sri Muttiah Muralidaran Lankan cricketer who was rated the greatest Test match bowler St.Anthony’s College, Katugastota ever by Wisden Cricketers’ Alamanack in 2002. He retired from 1991 Test cricket in 2010, registering his 800th and final wicket on 22 July 2010 from his final ball in his last Test match. Muralidaran In domestic cricket holds the world record for the most in both Test and one- he played for two first- day cricket. Muralidaran is the first wrist-spinning off-spinner in class Sri Lankan sides, the history of the game and after his many attractive feats with Tamil Union Cricket the ball during the inter-school cricket seasons for St.Anthony’s and Athletic Club in College, Katugastota he was picked Observer Schoolboy Crick- the eter of the Year in 1991. He was also picked as the Best Bowler and Central Province too, that year. in the Provincial Championship. World Records and achievements: The most One-Day International wickets (534 wickets). The highest number of international wickets in Tests, ODIs and T20s combined (1320 wickets). The most 5-wicket hauls in an innings at Test level (67). The most 10-wicket hauls in a match at Test level (22). He is the only player to take 10 wickets in a match against every Test playing nation. Only player to take 50 or more wickets against every Test playing nation. Most Test wickets taken bowled (157), (41) and & The most Test wickets bowled (31). Most successful bowler/fielder (non-wicket keeper) combination-c. (800 wickets) b. (77). Most Man of the Series awards in Test cricket (11). Mat Wkts BBI BBM Ave Most Test wickets in a single ground. Muralitharan is the only bowler Tests 133 800 9/51 16/220 22.72 to capture 100-plus Test wickets at three venues, the Sinhalese Sports ODIs 350 534 7/30 7/30 23.08 Club Ground in Colombo, the in Kandy and the Galle T20Is 12 213 3/29 3/29 22.84 International Stadium in Galle. SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR 07

Schoolboy Cricketer Sajith Fernando Schoolboy Cricketer Naveed Nawaz 1992 St. Anthony’s College 1993 D.S. Senanayake College Sajith Fernando was born on Mohamed Naveed Nawaz (born September 27, 1972, Kandy and September 20, 1973 in Colombo), is he became the second Observer a former Sri Lankan cricketer. He Schoolboy Cricketer (1992) from was a left-handed batsman and a Kandy. Sajith started his cricketing leg-break bowler who played Test career at St, Paul’s College, Kan- cricket and One-Day Internation- dy (later ) als for Sri Lanka. During his school where he was guided and made days he won the Observer School- to play good cricket by former Sri boy Cricketer of the Year in 1993. Lanka cricketer D.H. de Silva. Nawaz retired from interna- In 1998, he was adjudged the tional and domestic cricket in 2005 man of the series in the premier and ventured into the field of limited over tournament when coaching first-class cricket Colts emerged champions. in Sri Lanka. In 2000. Sri Lan- Apart from his domestic crick- ka Cricket appointed Nawaz et career he has played for various the Head Coach of the Sri Lan- clubs overseas in Australia, Eng- ka National under-19 team. land and Bangladesh.

Schoolboy Cricketer 1994-95 Ananda College

Thilan Thusara Samaraweera (born 22 and 1995 and on both occasions, he also won September 1976 in Colombo) is a Sri Lankan the best Batsman and Best all-rounder awards cricketer. Samaraweera played international too. He was a prolific scorer in the 1984-1985 cricket for Sri Lanka and was in the side pri- school cricket seasons. He topped 1,000 runs marily for his solid right-handed batting but in both years with five centuries and an equal was also a capable off spinner. number of half centuries. Thilan Samaraweera who became the He actually started his career as an off- tenth Anandian to represent Sri Lanka in Test spinner, He captured 72 wickets in the 1984 Cricket, was twice winner of the Observer season and claimed 64 wickets in the 1985 Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year award in 1994 school cricket season.

Mat Inns No Runs Hs Ave BF SR 100 40 4s 6s Tests 81 132 20 5462 231 48.76 11641 46.92 14 30 633 7 ODIs 53 42 11 862 105* 27.80 1244 69.29 2 0 76 0

Schoolboy Cricketer Nimesh Perera Schoolboy Cricketer Chinthaka Jayasinghe 1996 St. Sebastian’s College 1997 Dharmapala College Nimesh Pere- Chinthaka Jayasinghe ra was one of the was educated at Dharma- finest cricketers pala Vidyalaya in Pannipi- to come out of St. Sebastian’s Col- tiya. Perhaps his great- lege in est cricketing moment to who went on to date was when he scored -play for teams twin hundreds against like Basnahira Royal College, Colombo South, Chilaw in 1995/96. His name first Marians, Colombo Cricket Club and appeared on the national scene the Sebastianites with distinction. when the selectors included him With his bowling he cap- in the U19 team that toured Ma- tured a hundred wickets in a school laysia and Singapore in 1994 and season and even came close to match- England in 1995. He also played ing the feat of Muttiah Muralidaran. He was also a very useful batsman for the Sri Lankan ‘A’ team that who became the Observer Schoolboy Nimesh played in over 140 domestic toured India in 1998 and played Cricketer in 1996 the year in which Sri matches and to match his bowling he aggre- against Zimbabwe ‘A’ in their Lanka won the World Cup. gated over 5000 runs with a best 152. 2000 tour of Sri Lanka. 08 SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR 09 Observer SLT Mobitel School Cricketer

Observer SLT Mobitel Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Navod Paranavithana of Mahinda College Galle, receives the 2020 Anuda Jayaweera of Ananda College, Colombo receiving Pawan Ratnayake of Mahanama College receiving the Division One Schoolboy Best Batsman’s award in the National awards category from his trophy presented by the Editor-in-Chief, Sunday Observer, Cricketer award from Minister of Information and Media Keheliya Rambukwella of the Year 2020 ANCL Chairman, President’s Counsel W. Dayaratne Dinesh Weerawansa

Best Batswoman Umesha Thimeshani of Janadi Anali of Anula College, Nugegoda the Best All-rounder Division Two Devapathiraja College, Ratgama receives her Girls’ Best Bowler receiving a cash award of Samith Isuru of Karandeniya MV Best All-rounder - Division Three Hashen Lalindra of award from Champika Weeratunga the Secretary Rs. 25,000 from Chief Editor, , receives his award from Sumith Loyola College, Negombo receiving the award from Senior CMO Sri Lanka Telecom Prabhath Dahanayaka , Shashika Senarath CMO Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd. and Lalith Seneviratne Group CEO Sri Lanka Telecom PLC presenting awards of the Girls Tournament Committee of SLSCA Pramod de Silva Kotalawala acting GM of ANCL Deputy General Manager ANCL, Kamal Wijesuriya

Best School team Northern Province 2020: St. John’s College received their trophy from ANCL Director Finance, Janaka Ranatunga Best School team North Western Province 2020: St. Sebastian’s College, Katuneriya received their trophy from ANCL Director Legal and Administration, Rakhitha Abeygunawardhana

Observer SLT Mobitel Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer Observer SLT Mobitel Most Popular Schoolgirl Cricketer of the runner-up of 2020 Ahan Wickremasinghe of Royal College 2020 W.P. Nimesha Wijesundera of Marapola Madya Vidyalaya, receiving his trophy presented by Senior Associate Editor Marapola receiving her trophy presented by the Editor-in-Chief, Sunday Observer, Dudley Jansz Sunday Observer, Dinesh Weerawansa

Best Fielder Sithum Sanjana of Holy Navod Dinusri Paranavithana of Mahinda College, Dimuth Sandaruwan of Richmond College Best wicket keeper Division Two Hasitha Best Batsman runner-up division one Cross College Kalutara receiving the Best Fielder Nipun Dananjaya Galle also received the best All Rounder’s award in the best wicket keeper receiving his award Perera of Holy Cross College Kalutara Avishka Perera of Nalanda College award from Prasanna Jayasundara receiving the award from Thilak the National category presented by Daminda Cooray from Nishantha Kumara U-19 Tournament receiving the award from Deputy GM receiving his award from Kumara Additional GM (Advertising) Wattuhewa president of SLSCA president of the Sri Lanka Umpires’ Association Secretary SLSCA Naradha Sumanaratne Gamhewage CEO of Batsman.com 10 SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR

Schoolboy Cricketer Pradeep Hewage Schoolboy Cricketer Muthumudalige Pushpakumara 1998 St. Benedict’s College. 1999 Ananda College Pradeep Hewage was educat- All-rounder ed at St. Benedict’s College, Ko- Muthumudalige tahena. He made his fi rst class Pushpakumara debut in the domestic scene in won the presti- 1994. He became the “Schoolboy gious Observ- Cricketer of the Year” in 1998 and er Schoolboy went on to captain the U19 team Cricketer of the in the 1998 World Cup in South Year award 1999 Africa. He batted superbly in for his fi ne per- the tournament formances. Born on 26th September and was adjudi- 1981 in Colombo, Pushpakumara cated ad the best became the sixth Anandian to win batsman. On his the coveted award. Muthumudalige return the se- fashioned out as a top all-rounder. lectors included He was a left-handed bat and right- him in the Sri arm off-spinner. He was able to fi t in Lankan Squad at any position in batting and he was against New a clever and match winning bowler. Zealander. He captained the Sri Lanka Colts XI against Eng- He was also picked as the Best Bowler, Best All-Rounder land in Sri Lanka in 2000-01 at Moratuwa. and Best Fielder in the All-Island Contest.

Schoolboy Cricketer Kaushalya Weeraratne Schoolboy Cricketer Kaushal Lokuarachchi 2000 Trinity College 2001 St. Peter’s College

Trinity College’s Kaushalya Kaushal Lokuarachchi became the sec- Weeraratne was the winner of the ond Peterite to win the coveted Observer Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Award in the Year Award in 2000. 2001 for his fi ne performances in the inter- Weeraratne born on 29th Janu- school cricket season 2000-2001. ary 1981 in Gampola, captained Lokuarachchi has played for ma- Trinity College, Kandy for two con- jor teams after his school career such as secutive years. He was a member Bloomfi eld Cricket and Athletic Club, of the under-19 Youth World Cup SSC and Twenty-20 tourneys with a team and captained Sri Lanka un- great deal of success. der- 19 cricket team’s tour of Eng- land.

Lokuarachchi played 21 one-day Internationals and scored 210 runs with a best being 69 and a batting average of 14.00. Bowled 1,011 balls Batting and captured 31 wickets at an aver- Mat Runs HS age of 23.38, best bowling 4 for 44 ODIs 15 160 41 and held 5 catches. T20Is 5 49 20* Batting Bowling Mat Runs HS Mat Wkts BBI Tests 4 5 2/47 ODIs 15 6 3/46 ODIs 15 160 41 T20Is 5 4 4/19 T20Is 5 49 20*

After his school career Bowling he played for major teams Bloomfi eld, Colts, CCC, NCC, Mat Wkts BBI Kandurata and Ragama CC in the Tests 4 5 2/47 premier league tournaments and ODIs 21 31 3/44 Twenty-20 tournament. T20Is 2 2 2/31 SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR 11

Schoolboy Cricketer Sahan Wijeratne Schoolboy Cricketer Lahiru Peiris 2002 Prince of Wales College 2004/05 St. Peter’s College Sahan Wijer- Lahiru Peiris, atne, the School- the St. Peter’s boy Cricketer of College Cricket the Year 2002, has Captain of 2006, played for Prince who became the of Wales College, fi rst Peterite to Moratuwa for two win the Observer seasons. He has Schoolboy Crick- been a champion eter of the Year cricketer right from his young Contest-All Island twice in 2004 and days. He captained the Cambrian 2005. Lahiru started playing cricket team in four age groups under in 1999 and has captained the un- 13,15,17 and 19. He represented der-13 and under-15 and 1st XI teams. the under-17 all-island team that In the fi nal round match in the un- toured Pakistan for the der-13 tournament Lahiru scored his and also toured Bangladesh. He fi rst century 113 and was presented a made a century against Malay- special award and Colours from the sia and won the man of the match Sri Lanka Schools Sports Council for award. Batting style – Right-hand bat his 2005 and 2006 performances in cricket. Bowling style – Right-arm off-break

Schoolboy Cricketer Schoolboy Cricketer Gihan Rupasinghe 2003 Wesley College 2006 Nalanda College

Gihan is Sri Lanka’s 30th Inter- national Cap. He was educated at Nalanda College Colombo. Gihan also became the Mohamed Farveez Maharoof (born best all rounder 7 September 1984, in Colombo) is a Sri Gihan Rupasinghe Lankan cricketer. He fi rst made his in 2006. (born March 5, 1986), is a impression in the 2004 U19 World Cup Sri Lankan T20 cricketer Batting in which he captained the Sri Lankan who won the Observer Mo- Mat Runs HS team. He enjoyed a prolifi c school ca- bitel Cricketer of the Year Tests 22 556 72 reer for Wesley College, with a highest in 2006. He captained Na- score of 243 and best bowling fi gures landa College fi rst XI team ODIs 109 1113 69* of 8 for 20. An all-rounder, he made in 2006 and played for Sri T20Is 8 33 13* his Test debut in 2004. He has fea- Lanka Schools under-17 tured more frequently in ODIs and has team at the Asian Schools Bowling played nearly 100 for Sri Lanka since Cricket Tournament held 2004. in Sri Lanka in 2002 and Mat Wkts BBI Maharoof, won the Schoolboy toured with the Sri Lanka Tests 22 25 4/52 Cricketer of the Year award 2003 and under-19 cricket team to ODIs 21 135 6/14 was also picked as the Best Batsman Pakistan in 2005. T20Is 8 7 2/18 All-Island. 12 SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR

Schoolboy Cricketer Malith Gunathileka Schoolboy Cricketer Umesh Karunaratne 2007 Ananda College 2008

Former Ananda College cap- Umesh Karunaratne had tain Malith Gunathileka, the star the distinction of being ad- all rounder, created somewhat of judged “Observer Mobitel” a record when he was picked Ob- School Cricketer of the Year in server Schoolboy Cricketer of the 2008. Year 2007. But before getting that Born – January 19, 1989 honour, the Observer readers Major teams – Bloomfi eld picked him to be the Most Popu- Cricket and Athletic Club, Chi- lar Schoolboy Cricketer of Year law Marians Cricket Club, Sri All-Island 2007. Lanka Under-19s This was the fi rst occasion Playing role – Batsman that a schoolboy got the two top Batting style – Right-hand awards in the Observer School- bat boy Cricketer of the Year compe- Bowling style – Right-arm tition. off break Playing role – All Rounder Batting style – Right-hand bat Bowling style – Slow left-arm orthodox

Schoolboy Cricketer Schoolboy Cricketer 2010-11 Royal College 2009 Ananda College.

In 2011, Bhanuka Ra- Dinesh Chandimal (born 18 japakse became only the November 1989), is a profes- fourth individual to be ad- sional Sri Lankan cricketer and judged as the ‘Schoolboy a former T20 International cap- Cricketer of the Year’ twice tain for Sri Lanka. in the country’s premier Chandimal started his crick- school sector awarding cer- eting career as a teenager at emony ‘Observer-Mobitel Dharmasoka College, Schoolboy Cricketer of the Ambalangoda. He was the Year’. He was adjudged the fi rst schoolboy cricketer to ex- Young Emerging ceed 1,000 runs with an ag- Player of Under gregate of 1,580 and won the 19 Category at Schoolboy Cricketer of the the CEAT Sri Lan- Year Award in 2009. ka Cricket Awards 2011. Rajapakse was selected for the 2010 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand as one of the team’s key batsmen.

Mat Runs HS T20Is 7 140 58

Mat Runs HS Tests 25 1835 162 ODIs 07 2427 111 T20Is 42 602 58 SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR 13

Schoolboy Cricketer 2012 Trinity College

Niroshan Dickwella won Sri Lanka’s Observer Schoolboy Crick- eter of the Year award in 2012, having hit over 1000 runs in the pre- vious season and captained Trinity College to the national champi- onship. Under his captaincy Trinity won the League title, big match and the limited overs title. A regular Test player who performs the role of wicket keeper and batsman, Dickwella played for several teams Major teams includ- ing Nondescripts Cricket Club, Southern Express, Sri Lanka A, Sri Lanka Under-19s and Sri Lanka Under-23s.

Mat Runs HS Tests 43 2311 96 ODIs 52 1571 116 T20Is 26 466 68

Schoolboy Cricketer Schoolboy Cricketer 2013 Wales College 2014 St. Joseph’s College

A wicket keeper and free-fl ow- Sadeera Samarawickrama ing right-hand batsman with an (born 3 August 1995)is a Sri attacking approach, Kusal Mendis Lankan fi rst-class cricketer. He won the Observer Schoolboy Crick- was part of Sri Lanka’s squad for eter of the Year award in 2013, for the 2014 ICC Under-19 Cricket his performances in the Prince of World Cup. Wales College team. He was Sri As any schoolboy cricketer’s Lanka’s under-19 captain in the ambition is to represent the coun- Youth World Cup the following try at the highest level, the Sun- year. day Observer/Mobitel Schoolboy He made his Test debut in sec- Cricketer of the year 2014, Sa- ond Test of the West Indies tour of marawickrama’s intentions were Sri Lanka 2015, scoring 13 runs in quite clear as he became only the the fi rst innings and 39 runs in sec- second player from St. Joseph’s ond innings. College to win the richest school He does not keep wickets and cricket award. only plays as a specialist batsman.

Schoolboy Cricketer Schoolboy Cricketer Nipun Ransika 2015-16 Richmond College 2017 P de S Kularatne College Richmond College’s priced product Fast bowler Nipun Ransika came Charith Asalanka is one of the most prom- into the scene as one of the fastest young ising players on the present scene at the age bowlers and is a product of P de S Ku- of 23 who plays as a left hand batsman and laratne College who is now 21 years of right arm off spinner and represented Sri age. He has played for teams like Colts Lanka at the Under-19 World Cup. He won and Colombo Cricket Club and is also a the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer handy left hand batsman who can swing award twice in 2015 and 2016 and his prow- the long handle if required. His primary ess and value is such that teams like Galle role is a bowling all-rounder. Cricket Club, Sinhalese Sports Club and In August 2018 he was named in the Sri Lanka Emerging Team had him in Kandy’s squad for the SLC T20 Super their line-ups. League and prior to his T20 debut he Last year he went further in his quest was named Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy for more recognition when the Jaffna Stal- Cricketer 2017. He made his fi rst class lions bagged him for the Lanka Premier debut for in the 2018- League (LPL) and it became a memorial 19 Premier League tournament which occasion for him when they won the title. also marked his List A debut. 14 SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR

Schoolboy Cricketer Hasitha Boyagoda Schoolboy Cricketer Kamil Mishara 2018 Trinity College 2019 Royal College

Hasitha Boyagoda became a sen- Kamil Mishara has sation when he emerged as the first been touted by the pundits Under-19 World Cup player to hit a as one of the most promis- highest score of 191 when he achieved ing young cricketers of the the feat against Kenya and is a spe- future from Royal College cial product of Trinity College. in Colombo. He was the Schoolboy Cricket- He won the Sunday er of the Year in 2018 and after the Observer-Mobitel School Youth World Cup in 2018, the In- Cricketer of the Year title ternational Cricket Council (ICC) in 2019. He is a technical- named him as the rising star of the ly correct left hand bats- squad. The 22-year old Boyagoda is man who can also come in a specialist right hand batsman who handy with his right arm also played for Kandy in the Super bowling who has Provincial tournament and NCC. played for the Sri Lanka He made his T20 debut for Dam- Under-19 team, Panadura bulla that same year and turned out Sports Club and the NCC. for NCC in the first class Premier Born on April 24, 2001, League championship. Same year Mishara made his T20 he was also named in the Sri Lanka debut for the NCC in the team for the 2018 ACC Emerging 2018-19 season and was Teams Asia Cup tournament in Ban- named in the Sri Lanka gladesh. squad for the 2020 Un- When Sri Lanka won the Silver der-19 World Cup. He medal at the 2019 South Asian Games, made his List A debut Boyagoda was part of the team that last month for the Nonde- lost to Bangladesh in the final. scripts Cricket Club.

Best team Western Province: S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia

Best team of the Western Province 2020 S. Thomas’ College receive their award from the GCEO of Sri Lanka Telecom Group, Lalith Seneviratne SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR 15

Best team Central Province: St. Anthony’s College

Best team Central Province 2020 : St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota receives their award from Director Editorial ANCL Dharma Sri Kariyawasam

Best school team Southern Province 2020 : St. Thomas’ College, Matara

Best school team Southern Province 2020 : St. Thomas’ College, Matara received their trophy from ANCL Director Operations Canishka Witharana

Best school team Sabaragamuwa Province 2020: Dudley Senanayake Central College Tholangamuwa

Best school team Sabaragamuwa Province 2020: Dudley Senanayake Central College Tholangamuwa Presented by COO of Sri Lanka Telecom, Priyantha Fernandez pix by: Sudath Malaweera SCHOOL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR 16

Best School Girl Team National Runners Up 2020, received their trophy from the Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom, Rohan Fernando

Best up-and-coming girls school team of the year 2020

Best up-and-coming girls school team of the year 2020 Princess of Wales College Moratuwa receive their trophy from the Secretary to the Ministry of Media Jagath P Wijeweera in the presence of Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Group Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom Rohan Fernando, ANCL Chairman W Dayaratne PC and Editor in Chief Sunday Observer Dinesh Weerawansa

Most promising and best behaved team 2020

Most promising and best behaved team 2020 Karunaratne Buddhist School, Mattumagala in the Gampaha district receive their award from Group CEO of Sri Lanka Telecom, Lalith Seneviratne

Printed and Published by The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd., at No. 35, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10, on Sunday, April 25 2021.