Four-year sponsorship from Australia for Chanaka Wijesinghe (6 December 1998)

6 December 1998

Four-year sponsorship from Australia for Chanaka Wijesinghe

By S M Jiffrey Abdeen

Sri Lanka Cricket Foundation of Victoria has awarded a four year sponsorship to St. Sylvester's College cricketer Chanaka Wijesinghe commencing this year.

It must be recalled that fifteen-year-old Chanaka Wijesinghe turned out to be a run getting prodigy for St. Sylvester's College in the under-15 tournament matches, scoring 1,300 runs with seven centuries at an average of over 100 runs per innings which enabled his school win the under-15 division II title and earn a promotion to division I.

Two Sri Lankans Bertie Ekanayake and David Cruesz now domiciled in Australia, were responsible for arranging this scholarship which will be for Rs. 50,000 per year. The scholarship money could be spent for improvement of Chanaka Wijesinghe's cricketing skills and also to meet his expenses in playing the game. This money will be placed in a Trust Fund with the Kandy District Cricket Association. The president of KDCA, Principal of St. Sylvester's College Mr. Asoka Herath and the present Director, National Development of the Cricket Board Mr. Malcolm Perera as trustees.

Mr. Bertie Ekanayake speaking to this correspondent said they have been highly impressed with the performance of this cricketer who had hit the headlines in the newspapers by his prodigious performances, hence their decision to assist this young cricketer with an annual scholarship of Rs. 50,000 for the next four years. If he performs well in the coming years, there are chances of him being taken down to Australia to further enhance his cricketing skills. Therefore with the scholarship already offered, this cricketer should perform to his true potential.

This is not all, Mr. Bertie Ekanayake has arranged to provide Chanaka Wijesinghe with complete cricketing gear which will include bats, pads, gloves, helmet and other equipment as a personal gift from him.

Chanaka Wijesinghe spoke highly of his coach Roland Perera who has moulded him into a brilliant cricketer giving his personal attention. He also expressed his gratitude to master-in-charge Mr. Chandra Mahawattege who has been a tower of strength along with the coach.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)