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by Prof Sunanda Mahendra

When I received four books written by Neil Wijeratna a lawyer and a bilingual writer, I wanted to make sure that I reserve a space for his contributions in this column.

But the lapse of time was unimaginable that the jotting down notes came to be postponed from one week to another. But I grabbed the opportunity today. First of all, I read the book titled "Seven Saga -

A history of seven a side Rugby in Sri Lanka" I can't imagine that the writer Wijeratna who says that he had not kicked a rugby ball on the field had kept a meticulous record of how players did wonders with the oval shaped ball and became heroes in their field. While "Seven Saga" is primarily a historical account the writer elaborates the same in a creative manner in his companion book titled Rugby across the straits clarifying Rugby Football links between Sri Lanka and India.

The reader may have the opportunity of seeing some of the rare photographs and profiles of Rugby and football players. As the subject of sports is becoming an attractive study area, that needs more development, these two English readers may be regarded as reference books, generally at the school level and at the general reader level.

To his credit Neil Wijeratna is recorded as a person who has earned a reputation for re-establishing Rugby Football links between Sri Lanka and India, which has a history dating back to 1909. What is significant about these two books is that the writer uses an illustrative technique to jot down his sports notes, which exhibits his creativity. It is observed that Neil is a good collector of facts and figures, which he wishes to interpret in his own terms. He has gone to the extent of collecting even posters and advertisements linked with Rugby Football events. There are also several cartoons too as well posters that cover the subject.

His Sinhala book titled 'Peradina Keli bima' is a collection of Sinhala articles contributed to a Sinhala Sunday paper, published in 1995 this book covers various aspects of sports with a special emphasis on the landmarks and events in the field. In forty-two pieces Neil allows the reader to catch a glimpse of all types of sports, this time with a special emphasis on Cricket. Undoubtedly most Cricket fans of Sri Lanka wish to possess this book, as they will have a chance to know hitherto unrecorded events.

One fascinating piece is the entry on two players who entered into the Guinness record book. The sports fans and enthusiasts will find a special value in this book as regarding the development of this 'sports culture ' in our country. The Sinhala word 'Krida Samscrutiya' has come to mmean mad move sports events. The sports man as well as the sports fan has a vital role to play in a culture. Although some accept 'sports' as a competitive training, in actual reality it is a creative skill that would mould great personality. Has this really happened in our country? Or has it happened in other countries? Those who write and talked about sports should underline the great concept of the 'sportive mind', which is the thread that binds most countries into one like-minded group, where victory and defeat are not the predominant factors, instead, the humane skill in sharing the sports experience.

It is heartening to see that writer Neil Wijeratna, attempts to build a 'creative sports culture' via his books. Wijeratne is also a Sinhala novelist and a short story writer who has written three novels and two collections of short stories, one with several others and one by himself.

Today's sportsmen should underline that the spirit of the sport activities lie in-group activities. This concept should be inculcated in the minds of school children as an initial step of morality. In this direction sports meets and sports events at the school levels and at the University levels should be encouraged. A writer of the calibre of Wijeratna attempts to drive this concept sensitively into the minds of the reader.

As such Wijeratna's Sinhala and English contributions that could be reckoned as pioneer attempts to build a sports culture should be taken seriously by school teachers who should discuss sports philosophy at a higher level than it is done today. As all students have some inclination towards sports of a particular type they prefer, these books will be of use as background material. 

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