Gamini Dissanayake is not only a promising umpire but a man who is qualified in many other aspects of the game. A distinguished cricket back ground gives him a head start amongst his other umpiring colleagues. He played cricket for St Servatius College, Matara, the school that produced the great Sanath Jayasuriya, division I club cricket for Matara SC and Old Dharmapalians SC and also for Sri Lanka Railways (where he is employed) in the State Services division I tournament. Further he also a probationary umpiring instructor and a qualified cricket coach. Dissanayake obtained the highest marks of 98 in the local umpires examination conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket in 1993 and was promoted to officiate in Premier first-class matches in 1998. Further laurels followed when he umpired in the Bangladesh premier first-class tournament in 2003, the ICC under 19 World Cup in 2006 and Asian Cricket Council matches in Singapore. A regular fourth umpire in Tests and ODIs played in Sri Lanka, Dissanayake with his vast resources and experience is hoping to break into the international circuit very soon. Sa'adi Thawfeeq. March 2008