Sri Lanka umpire Ponnadurai dies

Sri Lanka umpire Selliah Ponnadurai, who officiated in the country's maiden Test victory, over India in 1985, died at the age of 78 on Thursday.

Ponnadurai stood with PW Vidanagamage in the second Test at the P Sara Oval which Sri Lanka went on to win by 149 runs and register their maiden Test win.

Born in Jafna, Ponnadurai was educated at St John's College and represented them in cricket as a right-hand bat and right-arm medium-pace bowler.

Ponnadurai officiated in three of Sri Lanka's Tests (2 against India and 1 against Pakistan) between 1983 and 1993 and also in eight One-Day Internationals during the same period.

He worked as an assessor in the Inland Revenue Department before leading a quiet retired life.