Sri Lanka Cambrian Centenary Cricket Celebrations A Great Success (29 Oct 1996)

29 October 1996

Cambrian Centenary cricket celebrations a great success

by Dilwin Mendis

The centenary cricket celebrations at Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, which concluded last month was a great success.

Prince of Wales College founded by one of the greatest philanthropists in the island Sri Charles Henry de Soysa in 1876, commenced playing cricket from its inception and the then college team consisted of teachers of the tutorial staff too. Organised school cricket started in 1896 and the college eleven played their first match against Royal College, Colombo, under the leadership of J. G. Fernando. Since then, todate, they have played cricket with leading schools.

The old boys association is headed by the present principal Mr. Lakshman Gomes who himself was an old boy. The OBA appointed several committees for various activities in this regard and the celebrations commenced with a limited over cricket match with Royal. Royal Principal S. H. Kumarasinghe, was the chief guest on this occasion and among the distinguished guests were former principals of both schools, old boys, well wishers, staff members and students of both schools.

There was a thanksgiving service and an all night pirith ceremony followed by an alms giving to the Maha Sangha. The 92nd Old Boys annual celebrations also coincided with these celebrations.

The final days program of the centenary celebrations commenced with two limited over matches between present boys and old boys of under forty and two teams of the over forties. The chief guest for this grand occasion was the patron of the OBA and a nephew of the late founder of the school Mr. Ryle de Soysa. The guest of honour was Mr. Nimal Fernando, proprietor of Wilton Metal Box Limited who is also an old boy and the sponsor of this event. There was also a drill display and a march past by the college cricketers of all age groups with the collage band in attendance. The final ceremony was held at the college hall in the presence of a well attended distinguished gathering of Cambrians, young and old.

The centenary cricket magazine which was published to mark the occasion was presented by the principal to the guests. Mr. K M. Jayasekera, the oldest living captain and the oldest surviving cricketer Mr. Edmund Fernando, were the two other guests.

The magazine contains valuable articles from Messers S. S. Perera, Wimalasiri Fernando, N. T. B. Fernando, Lloyd Perera, Shirley Peiris, M. E. C. Fernando, the late B. A. Mendis and Dilwin Mendis.

Past scores, photographs of teams and individuals with other literature pertaining to history of college cricket is also presented in the souvenir.

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