Kandy remembers two top sportsmen and promoters. They are M.E. Marikar and Dr. C.D.L. Fernando; who are still fresh in the minds of the local community in Kandy despite decades after their demise. Marikar the first Sylvestrian to play club cricket, was also a top footballer, hockey player, athlete, boxer and cadet and a well-known sports promoter and sports writer. He died on September 19, 1996 (25 years ago). The other is Dr. Fernando a top all round sportsmen, the first Bradby Shield Captain of Royal College who passed away on September 22, 1987 (34 years ago).
Marikar was a fine medium pace bowler and a hard hitting middle order batsman. Better known as Mariks of Thata Marika among his friends, he was a household name in sports for many years. He was a fine Stubbs Shield boxer. After leaving school he played club cricket, largely because during his days St. Sylvester’s College didn’t have cricket.
After leaving school Marikar represented Young Stars SC, Green Field SC, Kandy YMMA, Kandy, Up Country and Government service. He started his first job with the Markerting Department and played football and cricket; also for the Government Services team. He led the Government Services Football team in 1956 and later served in the Army 2 SR. Later he took up journalism and had stints with the Times Group and later Wijaya Newspapers for 35 long years; from 1962 to 1997.
He used his pen to tell the country what was happening in Kandy in his own immitable style of writing. He was an outstanding person and highly respected journalist who maintained standards. When he was travelling for the first cricket Test match in Colombo, President J.R. Jayewerdene spoted him walking and offered him a lift in his car to the grounds. When he was going for a football match to the Sugathadasa Stadium then president R. Premadasa spotted him walking and gave him a lift to the Stadium.
Dr. C.D.L. Fernando who came to Kandy from Colombo gave his best for sports. He started his school career with S. Thomas’ College and ended up at Royal College. He played for Royal College in the cricket big match against S. Thomas College. He was a distinguished all rounder, an aggressive batsman, medium pace bowler and a top close in fielder. He played for the school in 1944 and ended his school career in 1946. In his last game in the year against the Thomians CDL had a match bag of 9 wickets for 54 runs in 23.2 overs; out of which seven were maidens. His five wickets in the first innings and four wickets in the second helped the side to gain a 83-run win. His first year in cricket was under the captaincy of George Rajapaksa and in the second year he played under Vivian de Kretser and the last year was under Mahes Rodrigo
In the first Bradby as captain , led the side to win by 3 points to nil. But in the second leg in Kandy Royal ended up losing and Trinity won 6-0. After the second leg game the Royal Principal E L Bradby had asked CDL what had happened to the Kandy game after winning in Colombo. He had replied that the Trinitians had played better than them. He later played rugby for University and CR and FC.
He was the epitome of a cricketer and later played cricket for University and for SSC and Kandy United SC. He also was a fine boxer.Though he studied in Colombo he made a name after coming to Kandy in the sports and medical fields.
He was a top sports administrator and a promoter and his fairness and intrgrity were never in question. He was a versatile sportsmen, sports benefactor, philanthropist and above all a gentleman.
He was the president of Kandy Assocation Football League for over a decade, was president of the Kandy Sports Club in 1978 and 1979, In 1978 under his presidency the club entered the Clifford Cup finals after nine years. When he was the president of the Kandy District Cricket Assocation several Test matches were played in Kandy at the Asgiriya Stadium.
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