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| Tuesday, 4 May 2004 |
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Sports | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
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Appreciation : K.B. Ratnayake - a great sportsman I was saddened to hear of the demise of Kiri Banda Ratnayake - versatile sportsman, veteran honest politician, leading light of North Central Province and a highly respected former Speaker-Parliament of Sri Lanka and a former Governor. He passed away on 30th April 2004 at the age of 80. He was a fine gentleman, cricketer, soccerite, athlete and a fine tennis player from the "Wevu-Bendi-Rata" - North Central Province. In 1940s he had the proud distinction of leading Ten Tamil Boys to the cricket field captaining Hartley College, a leading school of the Jaffna District and created history. After completing his Education at Hartley, he served the poor villagers of Anuradhapura District as a Land Officer in the 1950s. He took part in sports activities in a big way. He captained the Government Services Tennis Team for many years in Anuradhapura. His tennis partner was late Dr. Sivaramalingam of Sigiriya/Kimbissa fame. Both of them were champion tennis players. K.B.Ratnayake, in reality, was a multi-lingual and multi-cultural in his personality. He never cared for caste, creed or colour. He was a very good Buddhist. He spoke Tamil fluently. His commanding personality and physical presence exuded the fragrance of the villagers of the Anuradhapura District. K.B.R. moved with kings, but remained a humble man. His tenure of office in the Sports Ministry in the early 1970s, can be considered as the beginning of the Golden Era of Sports in Sri Lanka. He was the first Minister to take the National Sports Festival to the outstation. He appointed late Gerry Gooneratne as the National Cricket Coach, and improved the standard of cricket in the outstation. I still remember the first day, I met him. It was at a Cricket match. I was a cub reporter attached to Daily News, covering the encounter. The two teams were Parliamentarians XI and the Colombo Municipal Councillors XI. The match was played at the Nomads Municipal Grounds, to mark the Centenary of the Colombo Municipality celebrations. The Parliamentarians were captained by Dudley Senanayake of Thomian fame. Mayor Vincent Perera led the Municipal Councillors. The two umpires were Sam Wijesinha - clerk to the House (Later Secretary General of Parliament) and B.A. Jayasinghe Municipal Commissioner. When two wickets fell for no runs, K.B. Ratnayake walked majestically like a giant. The well-built, tall left-hander was at his best and collected a chanceless 65 runs, which included 8 boundaries. It was a gem of an innings. His timing was superb. His classical cover-drives were a treat to watch. The second occasion was the launch of my book - 'Ma Dutu Cricket Lowa', on 6th October, 1997 at the S.L.F.I. I invited him as chief guest. He accepted my invitation and graced the event. Among others present were the then Sports Minister S.B. Dissanayake, Cultural Affairs Minister Lakshman Jyakody, Mr. Tyronne Fernando MP, Rupa Karunathilake MP, Mr. Sam Wijesinha, Mrs. Srima Dissanayake. As a rule, Speakers do not speak much, though he is the Speaker. But, at my Book Launch, Speaker Ratnayake made an unforgetabale brilliant speech, in his own inimitable style, mixing Sinhala, Tamil and English and kept the audience spell-bound. In the course of his speech, he refereed to Roy Dias, fast bowlers Chaminda Vass and Pushpakumara, batting stars Sanath and Marvan, and athletes Susanthika, Badra and Sunil Gunawardane, W. Wimaladasa, Kosala Sahabandu and Premachandra - Asian Games heroes. Referring to Badra, he said, "Badra and Sunil ran together and later ran to each other". He said that he is happy for all of them doing well in life. K.B.Ratnayake kept the audience alive. He said that during the time that they played cricket, they used only pads, batting gloves, and the box. Today, the cricketers wear head guard, thigh guard, shin guard, arm guard, and all sorts of guards. In lighter vein, he mentioned people ask whether they are going for a war. K.B.Ratnayake was a true and a genuine politician in the classical mould. He was a fine human being and a man of compassion. Among those who I have had the good fortune to meet, in the course of my activities, K.B. Ratnayake stands out, as one of the most winning individual, I have come-upon. His demise is a great loss not only to his family but also for the country. I wish him many centuries in abodes of bliss, before he reaches the eternal bliss of Nibbana! - Premasara Epasinghe |
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