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| Monday, 2 August 2004 |
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Sports | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
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Life & Times in Sports Gampaha Sira - SEA's Best Dasher in late 1950's by Premasara Epasinghe I still remember the date and the time. It was October 13, 1950-5.05 p.m. The venue was the Government Services Grounds, Parsons Road, Colombo 2. This premises is the presently, People's Bank, Headquarters and on the approach road to the Colombo Rowing Club. I was a cub-reporter, covering the Indo-Ceylon Volleyball "Test" match for Daily News and Dinamina . It was a memorable match. Volleyball was the King of Sports in Ceylon at that time. There were more than 2500 spectators to witness this clash. The Leader of the Opposition Dr. N. M. Perera was the Chief Guest. He was enjoying every bit of this do or die battle between India and Ceylon. The favourites - India possessed some of the best players and they were the favourites. Although, India was riding high in the Asian Circuit, the most outstanding individual player out of the two teams was W. L. Siriwardane. There were three Indian players to cover the dash of Siriwardane, including six footer Skipper Bawa. From the start, it was a ding-dong battle. Thousand were cheering - Gahanna Sira Gahanna - Hammer Sira Hammer. Sira passes the ball to his brother Piyaratne, and yells - Gahanna Malli Palenna. Volleyball was at its best. Like a rocket, Siriwardane went high up. He positioned himself systematically. With all his might, he hammered a lightning dash. It was like a Shoib Aktar delivery. Bawa did not have a ghost of a chance. Sira's power packed dash hit Bawa's face and he fell unconscious. Sira's dash was like a knock-out punch of Cassius Clay. Blood was gushing out like an un-repaired tap. Gampaha and Volleyball are inseparable. In the same way, Sira and Gampaha are not two, but one. It was late Gampaha TDL Charles who made Volleyball popular. Thanks to the untiring efforts of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Association from 1950 to 1975. Volleyball was one of the most popular sports in Sri Lanka at that time. "Charles was our beloved "Guru". He captained and brought honour and glory to our country. We are ever grateful to this great man" stated Siriwardane. Weliweriya Liyanage Siriwardene, was born on 19th June 1938 at Ihalagama, Gampaha W.P. His father was W. L. Carlos Perera. Mother K. A. Carolina. His elder sister Ariyawathie Perera. Brother W. L. Piyaratne, captained Sri Lanka Volleyball Team, after Siriwardane retired from the game. Siriwardane, studied at Bandarawatta Parakrama Vidyalaya. He started his volleyball career as a teenager. He was coached by his Master-in-charge K. S. Rajapakse. Under his captaincy, BPMV, clinched the All-Island School Volleyball Title consecutively for three years - 1950-1952. As a teenager he represented Sri Lanka Siriwardane is undoubtedly, a house-hold name in Sri Lanka. He was the Best Dasher that Sri Lanka produced and also of South Asia in 1950's. In 1951, after the conclusion of Pakistan - Sri Lanka Volleyball Test, he was awarded President - Ayub Khan Gold Medal. Some of the outstanding contemporary volleyball players, of Siriwardane (St. John's Bosco), Batho Dematagoda, Joe Rupasinghe (Kelani Valley) W. Wijesuriya (Trinco Sinhale SC), Lennie Jayakody, R. Ratnapala, Gamini Samarasinghe (Minuwangoda Central), Camilus Anthony (Tudelle SC). W. L. Siriwardane is a national asset. He is a fine human being and a great sportsman. In all our wisdom, we have designated VB as our National Game. In terms of that, Siriwardane should be considered as a National Sports Personality, because he has substantially enhanced the game. |
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