Sri Lanka: Four-year sponsorship for Wijesinghe (29 December 1998)

29 December 1998

Sri Lanka: Four-year sponsorship for Wijesinghe

By S M Jiffrey Abdeen

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

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 Cruisz now domiciled in Australia were responsible for arranging this scholarship which will be Rs. 50,000 per year. The scholarship money could be spent for the betterment of Wijesinghe's cricketing skills and also to meet his cricket expenses. This money will be placed in a trust fund with the Kandy District Cricket Association. The President of KDCA, Principal of St. Sylveter's College, Asoka Herath and the present Director, National Development of the Cricket Board Malcolm Perera will act as trustees.

Mr. Bertie Ekanayake said that they have been highly impressed with the performance of this cricketer who had hit the headline in the newspapers by his performances, hence their decision to assist this young cricketer. If he performs well in the coming years there are chances of him being taken to Australia to further enhance his cricketing skills.

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

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

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