Ajith Perera to be honoured today

For the first time in the annals of Sri Lanka's sports history an award is being presented for sports literature.

The recipient of that award is none other than Ajith C.S. Perera, a former test match panel senior cricket umpire who is amongst nine other outstanding personnel who have been selected to receive recognition and honoured befittingly for their exemplary services in different subject areas of literature.

Perera will receive his award at the Literary Awards Festival 2005 today at the auditorium of the Dehiwala Municipal Council under the guidance of Dehiwela-Mt Lavinia Mayor Dhanasiri Amaratunga. Mrs. Nirupama Rao, the High Commissioner for India in Sri Lanka will be the Chief Guest.

The prestigious Wisden Cricketers' Almanack (in 2000 and 2002), The Cricketer International, the ICC, the ECB and former England Cricket Captain Mike Brearley OBE were amongst those who have recognised the merit of the outstanding contributions Perera has made to Cricket Literature through his two Books, "The Golden Era of Sri Lankan Cricket" (1999) and "Thinking Cricket - a Trainers' Manual" (2002).

What is most remarkable is that his stupendous efforts here have come with none to support him financially, whilst seated on his wheelchair and continuing to fight silently a daunting daily battle against paraplegia.