Tuesday 9th December 2008 15 A tribute to Gamini Senadhira Three wins for Nayanajith Sports Editor and gentleman and Ratnasiri par excellence by Roshen Steelman beat C. Nimmutu (Western) Under-19 Boys It would be a profound utes like taking correct Udara Nayanajith of North Udara Nayanajith (North Central grief, deep sorrow and shock instant decisions at the most Central exhibited his exceptional Province) beat R.S. Kasun when all those who knew appropriate moments. talent as he won three events at (Western) Gamini Senadhira, heard Gamini Senadhira had the Junior National Badminton Under-13 Girls about his sudden demise a few been serving in the sports Championship, worked off at the Imasha D. Liyanagae (Southern) days ago. To most of them, it arena as a Sports Editor for Royal College Sports Complex in beat Kavindika Silva (Southern would have been a real shock, over four decades as he had Colombo on Sunday. Under-15 Girls as they were unknown that he worked for many popular The youngster won the Under- Achini Nimeshika (Western) beat was taking treatment for a newspapers. He had been con- 19 Singles, Doubles and Mixed U. Samanthika (Western) prolonged illness, which he tributing to Sunday Leader Doubles competing an excellent Under-17 Girls kept as a secret. since its inception. In addi- outing over the weekend. M. Ranawana (Western) beat He was reluctant to worry tion to performing his duties He beat R.S. Kasun of Sanki Wickramasuriya (Western) his close associates, as he was as the Sports Editor, he volun- Western Province, two sets to nil Under-19 Girls a real gentleman. He divulged tarily shouldered other duties before winning the two doubles. Gayani Perera beat Subodha his grave illness only to a like administration and trans- Teaming up with T. Fernando Dahanayake handful of friends and col- port and at all times, he in the Boys’ Doubles, the pair Under-13 Boys’ Doubles leagues that he was taking worked tirelessly with dedica- defeated S. Gunawardena and B. Gunathilaka and P. Ranaweera native treatment. The native tion and sacrificed to the R.S. Kasun (Western) two sets to (Southern) beat K. Rasmitha and doctor treated him, had prom- institute in many ways. He one and made their opponents C. Karunaratne ised 100 per cent cure. He had delegated authority to preci- R.S. Kasun and Gayani Perera complete confidence in him. sion and gauged the capabili- suffer a crushing defeat in the Under-15 Boys’ Doubles He told me as a subordinate, ties and talents of his subor- Mixed Doubles. Rakitha Perera and O. the correct stand of his ill- dinates. He worked in the Nayanajith shared his mixed- Dharmawardena (Western) beat ness and his progress at inter- institution in unison with the double victory with his game Lakshan Madusha and S. vals .He was 64 years old at entire staff and made it a partner, Achini Ratnasiri after Chirantha the time of his death. A prod- cohesive unit. they won it, two sets to nil. Under-17 Boys’ Doubles uct of St. Benedict’s College, He not only had a close Meanwhile, in the Girls’ S.R. Perera and I. Gunathilaka Kotahena, he opened batting rapport with all employees at Category, Achini Nimeshika (Central) beat C. Minimutu and O. with famous Ranjit Fernando The Leader Publications Ltd Ratnasiri was impressive and Fernando (Central) with distinction and later but also with all Editors of all recorded three stunning victo- Under-19 Boys’ Doubles played club cricket. other newspapers and earned ries over her opponents as she Udara Nayanajith (North Central) He was my mentor, who respect from all. His pleasing grabbed Under-15 Singles, Under- and A. Fernando (Southern) beat taught me the basics of jour- disposition to the staff and 15 Doubles and Mixed Doubles S. Gunawardena and R.S. Kasun nalism, particularly about also to all journalists in gen- titles. (Western) sports, cricket in general. I eral, endeared him to win a The tournament delayed by met him through sheer acci- large circle of friends. He two months, was played under a Under-13 Girls’ Doubles dent. In the year 2002, I sent a always tried his best to com- protest which was caused by Manishi Fonseka and Thilini fax requesting him to rectify a ply with reasonable requests some parents of the players and Henaduhewa beat Kavindika Silva mistake published in the made even by strangers in they complained that the tourna- and C. Nandasiri Sunday Leader sports page. carrying stories which had ment was held too close to the Under-15 Girls’ Doubles When I called him, he wanted substance. Anyone who need- GCE O/L Examination. Ashini Nimeshika Ratnasiri and U. me to meet him. He politely ed his help had only very easy Samanthika beat Sasmitha accepted the mistake made by access. He was very punctual Results (Finals only) Illangakoon and O. Illangakoon another subordinate and and never made hollow prom- Under-17 Girls’ Doubles made a plea to me to forget ises. The void left through his Under-11 Boys Sanki Wickrmasuriya and W. about it as he could not demise, cannot be easily Pulina Amaranayake (Western Ranawana (Western) beat T. embarrass a fellow journalist filled. The Managing Director Province) beat Shammika de Silva Herath and T. Gunathilake and asked me whether I would and the Editor and the subor- (Southern Province) Under-19 Girls’ Doubles like to join the Sunday Leader dinate staff will mostly feel it. Under-13 Boys Subodha Dahanayake and S. as a freelance sports journal- His demise is irreparable U. Thalangala (Western) beat Ranjala beat Gayani Perera and ist. He only had a chat with to his beloved wife, two sons, Buwanaka Gunathilake (Southern) Lakmini Wimalasinghe me and my C.V. was not even grandchildren and the in-laws Under-15 Boys Under-19 Mixed Doubles read. By then, he had already as he was very attached to his Udara Nayanajith (North Central) received the approval of the family, which was everything Rakitha Perera (Western) beat Udara Nayanajith, who won three events at the Junior National Managing Director. to him. Lahiru Abeygoda (Western) and Achini Ratnasiri (Western) Badminton Championship at the Royal College Sports Complex, is in Under-17 Boys beat R.S. Kasun and Gayani action. He possessed a dynamic Harsha Perera (Central Province) Perera (Pic by Siripala Halwala) personality and unique attrib- Sunil Thenabadu Jeevakumara Emjay International clinch Dialog TV-Blackberry Rugby Sevens Trophy ready to return home Reemus Fernando reporting from Singapore Jeevakumaran Sivaperumal, who was admitted to Alexander Hospital due to dehydration and a chest pain, was discharged from hospital late Sunday evening and is ready to return home. On his return from the hospital, Jeevakumaran spoke to ‘The Island’. He said that he felt fain during the The skipper of Hirdaramani ‘B’, Shahan Silva receives the Shield award from marathon and had stopped twice. He The skipper of Emjay International, The skipper of Commercial Bank, The skipper of Dialog ‘A’, Jeewa Pradeep Liyanage receives the Dialog Galgamuwa receives the Bowl trophy Chirantha de Zoysa, Senior Manager, said that he continued despite that to Aravinda Udangamuwa receives the Champions trophy from the chief guest, from Damitha Hettihewa, Head of Sales Dialog Group Marketing Promotions & make sure the team would not be ham- Plate trophy from DIG Nimal Lewke, Kavan D. Ratnayake, Chief Executive President, SLRFU. & Marketing, Dialog Enterprise Sports Marketing. pered by his illness. Officer, Dialog Fixed Telephone and Solutions. smooth tournament. “I felt fain but kept running after before half time, followed by a try by Hilmy Broadband Services. Mohamed of Emjay. Dayan Ratnage one. The chief guest was Kavan D. resting on two occasions. I was advised Just a few minutes before half time, In the Cup semi final Asia Capital Ratnayaka, Chief Executive Officer, Dialog by the first aid staff not to run. But I Text and pix by M. Farook Lantra another try was planted by Srinath and caused a shock when they beat Seylan Bank Fixed Telephones and Broadband Services. knew that my team would suffer if I Asia Capital led 12-5 at lemons. by 12 points to. The final was referred by the Dilroy stopped. Because of that, I continued For the first time, Emjay International After the turn around, the Emjay team This annual colourful tournament was Fernando. my run,” said Jeevakumaran, who has emerged champions at the 38th Mercantile changed their game plan scored three more sponsored by Dialog TV, together with RESULTS been advised to rest. Rugby Sevens tournament, beating the for- tries of which two were converted by Dialog Blackberry and was organized by Cup - Emjay International beat Asia midable Asia Capital in grand style by 24 Nalaka Weerakkodi while Asia Capital the Mercantile Rugby Football Association. Capital by 24 points to 17. points (2 goals 2 tries) to 17 (1 goal 2 tries) at managed just one try. More than 400 participants from 38 lead- Plate - Commercial Bank beat Ceylinco CR & FC grounds on Sunday, in front of a The try scorers for Emjay ing mercantile firms took part in the tour- ‘A’ by 33 points to 12. capacity crowd. Internationals were: Hilmy Mohamed 2 nament, which commenced on December 5. Bowl - Dialog ‘A’ beat Dissanayaka It was Asia Capital who drew first blood tries, M. Sheriff 1 and Nalaka weerakkodi The Mercantile Rugby FA headed by Enterprises by 19 points to 5. through a try from Srinath Sooriyabandara 1, while for Asia Capital Srinath Lalith Hewage (President) and his team of Shield - Hirdaramani ‘B’ beat Softlogic Soorayabandara planted two tries and of officials were responsible for ensuring a by 7 points to 5.