Sri Lanka Cricket felicitates veteran umpires

In a simple ceremony held yesterday at the Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters four of the country's most respected umpires of yesteryear were treated to a felicitation by the Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Umpires, now retired after a long stint of effective duties, Ignatius Anandappa, M.D.D.N. Gunaratne, S. Ponnathurai and Udaya Wickremasinghe were invited to receive a gesture of goodwill by the Sri Lanka Cricket presided over by Tryphon Mirando, Secretary, Sri Lanka Cricket. Mirando who presented the cheques to the distinguished gentlemen thanked them for the yeoman services rendered to Cricket in Sri Lanka during their time.

Famous cricketers of international repute notably in Sri Lanka, in the likes of Bandula Warnapura, Duleep Mendis, Lalith Kaluperuma, Mahes Gunatilleke, Ranil Abeynaike, Asitha Jayaweera and many more had their happiest moments in the field with these umpires officiating. Mirando expressed his deepest gratitude to these umpires the way in which matches were handled during their time.

Ignatius Anandappa speaking on behalf of the recipients thanked the Interim Committee for the very special gesture, which came after five and a half years since they first made their initial request.

Being very senior umpires, all of them appreciated for showing sympathy towards their cause and recalled how he first officiated a game in 1963 and was paid only Rs. 7.50 per day. Being the last of the brigade of veterans, Anandappa paid his respects to all those who played the game in true spirits and maintained highest levels of discipline.

Sri Lanka Cricket's CEO Duleep Mendis, Upali Seneviratne, Administrative Manger, M. Rajasingham, Administrative Co-ordinator were also present during the ceremony.