[email protected] Tel: (011) 2 429 236 Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2011: Ramith Rambukwella of Royal College receives his award from Dinesh Bhanuka Rajapakse (Royal College, Colombo) Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2011 receives his award from chief guest Muthiah Weerawansa the Editor-in-Chief Sunday Observer. Deputy Editor Sunday Observer - Sports A.C. de Silva and Pramod de Muralitharan. Also in the picture are Editor-In-Chief Sunday Observer Dinesh Weerawansa, Wijesiri Ambawatte ( Director Tele- Silva Senior Associate Editor Sunday Observer is also in the picture. com/Mobitel), ANCL Chairman Bandula Padmakumara and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. Murali’s advice: ‘Play hard, dedicate yourself’ College, Katugastota and on his way to get that honour he Bhanuka Rajapakse joins elite worked hard. “Don’t be disap- pointed if you fail once or twice in the early stages of your career, keep on trying and suc- cess if bound to come your Observer-Mobitel Awards: way.” Sri Lanka’s world beater Mutti- After his playing days were ah Muralitharan was chief guest over at St.Anthony’s Katugas- band of cricketers and a welcome visitor on stage tota, Muralitharan came into old history, ,Bhanuka Raj- me. I will concentrate more at Hotel Galadari Grand Ball- big-time cricket – Saravanamut- apakse became only the on cricket but I hope to room for the awards ceremony tu Trophy Tournament and third Royalist to win the live a balanced life, without of the Observer-Mobitel cricket then on to Sri Lanka represen- coveted award. Previously mixing up cricket and show and his mere presence on tative cricket. Madugalle (1979) and studies” he said. stage brought rounds and But, the path was simply not Roshan Jurangpathy He represented the rounds of applause last Monday easy as many obstacles were (1986) now domiciled in Under 19 Team at the last night. placed, but he never gave up, OBSERVER-MOBITEL Australia, won it. World Cup in New Zealand Speaking to the schoolboy but plugged on and then suc- SCHOOLBOY CRICK- Jurangpathy made his and played a prominent cricketers who had gathered in cess came his way. “In 1995 ETER: Former Royal Col- Test debut against India role which has helped him such large numbers for this there was that chucking contro- lege Captain Bhanuka Raj- when Ranatunga and Mad- to captain an Under 19 much awaited show, Muralith- versy, but I didn’t give up and apakse achieved the unique ugalle were also members team when their counter- aran spoke to the young hope- here I must thank Arjuna Rana- feat to join the elite band of in the same team under parts from England arrived fuls in glowing terms. “You are tunga – the then skipper and schoolboy cricketers when Duleep Mendis. last year. Bhanuka, in the the future players of Sri Lanka Aravinda de Silva for backing he was judged The Sunday two ‘Tests’ that he played, and you all must keep Sri Lan- me and the Cricket Board too Observer/Mobitel School- First a swimmer scored 309 runs with a top ka’s flag flying wherever you supported me. Then when I got boy Cricketer of the year Bhanuka Rajapakse, score of 149 averaging 103 go.” married, my wife supported me for the second successive speaking to the Sunday runs. Among the other He said that for the cricket- to the hilt and all obstacles Sanka Ramesh (Moratu Vidyalaya) Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year (Outstation). year (2010 and 2011) at a Observer soon after he had players in that team who ers to succeed they must love were done away with and I receives his award from Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella glittering ceremony held at won the school cricket were recipients in this the game. ‘Play hard and dedi- came through”, Muralitharan the Hotel Galadari Ball- crown, said that he excelled year’s Schoolboy Cricketer cate yourself and then success said. room amidst a distin- as a swimmer in his young- Of the Year competition, is bound to come,” he said and Muralitharan also handed out guished gathering last er days, but had to give up were: Amila Aponso who added; “Young cricketers – you some advice to the large num- Sanka Ramesh expected to Monday. the water sport due to a life won the Best Bowlers all must know that only 11 play- ber of schoolboys present at the Prior to Rajapakse, only threatening illness. “ I was Award (All Island), ers can play in a team and when show. “Keep absolutely cool improve with experience former Sri Lanka World down with meningitis, a Dhananjaya de Silva _ Best you get the chance of playing, even when the going is not the Cup winning captain Arju- brain effecting disease and All- Rounder and Runner- you all must put your heart and way you want. by Ranjan Anandappa De Soysa MV during his Under 23 side and has na Ranatunga (1980-1982), doctors advised me not to up Schoolboy Cricketer Of soul and give hundred percent I learnt this from my skipper primary days his one pas- taken over 30 wickets in Roshan Mahanama (1983- dive. So I took up to crick- the Year (All Island), Lahi- to the team, so that success will Arjuna Ranatunga who sported Observer-Mobitel Out- sion was the game of the tournament last year, 1984), Thilan Samaraweera et. I have studied right ru Abeyratne (Runner-Up come your way.” a cool head even when the station Schoolboy Crick- cricket. After joining but he had to skip some ( 1994-1995) and Lahiru throughout at Royal and Best Fielder, All Island) Muralitharan said that he going was not good. Arjuna eter with one more year Moratu MV he developed matches this season due Pieris (2004-2005) have represented the schools and Shehan Jayasuriya was very happy to be back on used to take pressure off the to go at Moratu Vidyala- his skills and was good to the GCE (A/L) exami- won the contest on two under 19 team which has (Runner Up Best Batsman, stage at this show after 20 players when the going is not to ya, the winner of the enough to find a place in nation. occasions. In the 33-year- really opened the doors for All Island). years. He was the Schoolboy his liking. He doesn’t show any Observer/Mobitel School- the first XI team. Sanka Ramesh made a Cricketer of the year in 1991 anger – that’s why he is called boy Cricketer of the year While at De Soysa MV, strong claim for the title when he was at St.Anthony’s captain cool,” Murali remarked. Outstation 2011 Sanka he was under the guid- that he won at the contest Ramesh is expected to do ance of coach Sabu Weer- by scoring 1,270 runs and better things next year as asinghe and the Master- bagging over 107 wickets the captain of his school in-Charge Hafi. The during the concluded cricket team. Weerasinghe–Hafi combi- school cricket season. He Ramesh, missed the nation put him on the has a double hundred opportunity to represent right track with the right (213) against Zahira Col- the Sri Lanka Schools rudiments of the game. lege and two centuries team by a whisker, but he After joining Moratu MV, 100 against St.Sebastian’s hopes to make a come- Ramesh went one step College, Moratuwa and back with a couple of further when he became 123 against St.Sylvester’s junior tours coming up in an important member in College, Kandy. His right- the near future. Out of the Moratu MV side. arm leg-spin bowling has these tours he considers At Moratu MV, he was given him two impressive the most important one coached by Prasanna Dis- match bags of 10 wickets as the 2012 Under-19 sanayake. The encourage- against St.Sebastian’s World Cup Cricket Tour- ment given by the Mas- Moratuwa and 12 wickets nament which is sched- ter-In-Charge of Cricket against Royal, Panadura. uled to take place in Aus- Udaya Geeganage, Lak- While thanking the tralia next August. mal Sir and Ruvini Thar- Sunday Observer/Mobi- He first played Under anga, a lady teacher who tel contest for fostering 17 cricket for De Soysa is also involved in cricket, young talent for the Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year (Outstation): Keshan MV at Moratuwa, prior to has inspired him to per- future, he concluded say- Gamage of Vidyartha College, Kandy receives his award from Senior being drafted to Moratu form well. ing that it was sheer hard Best Captain (All-Island): Akila Jayasundera of Trinity College receives the award Associate Editor Sunday Observer Pramod de Silva and Senior Chief Vidyalaya where he He has been a regular work and dedication that from Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. ANCL Chairman Bandula Padmakumara Sub Editor Sunday Observer Dudley Jansz on left. played 1st XI cricket. At member of the SSC brought him the trophy. is also in the picture. Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2011 Bhanuka Rajapakse (Royal College, Colombo) fourth from left with VIP officials from left Mahindananda Aluthgamage - Minister of Sports, Dinesh Weerawansa the Editor-in-Chief Sunday Observer, Wijesiri Ambawatte Director Telecom/Mobitel, Bandula Padmakumar Chairman/Managing Director , Muttaiah Muralitharan(chief guest) and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella..