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by Richard Dwight

The warden of S. Thomas's, Dr. David Ponniah, addressing a distinguished gathering at the launching of the book '125 years of Royal - Thomian Cricket' last Thursday at the College hall, said that it was a privilege to host the greatest rival and the greatest friends, the Royalists - with warm words of welcome as well, for the newly appointed Principal of Royal, Upali Gunesekere and hoping too, that those Royalists visiting the Thomian campus for the first time, will savour the atmosphere, and feel compelled to return and, so continue to foster the cordial relationships that exists between the two schools.

He said it was a rare occurrence of him and those involved, to be associated with this book launch and yet other events leading to this landmark cricket encounter the '125th Battle of the Blues'.

Warden took time to speak well of the guests of honour, the additional General Manager of Seylan Bank, Ajith Pasqual, an Old Royalists and, the Director of Ceylinco Insurance, R. Renganathan an old Thomian - by whose efforts and that of Deshamanya, Dr. Lalith Kotelawala, that this historic book has become a reality.

Ponniah commended Pasqual and Renganathan on their achievements in the field of sport and for their scholarship - taking the opportunity as well, to have an innocent healthy wisecrack or two on them, which was well taken by all.

Warden continuing said that there is enormous synergy when Royalists and the Thomians work together, and in this book we see the effects of the two groups coming together.

He congratulated and thanked the two editors, C.H. Gunasekera and Nihal Gunaratna on an effort that is a masterpiece, which would be most welcome on any bookshelf. Dr. Ponniah concluded by thanking the Co-Chairmen M. Balasubramaniam, Chanaka de Silva, Tryphon Mirando and Dian Jayasuriya of the joint Steering Committe for their time, commitment and dedication, in planning and organising all these activities in connection with the 125th big match.

The painstaking Co-chairman M. Balasubramaniam whilst thanking all those who assisted gave a brief narrative of the coming to be of the 'Book'. Bala struck a note of gay concerning the launch when he said that the Royalists asked him whether it was safe to come to S'Thomas' in shorts, Bala replied saying oh! no protect yourself by coming in lounge - what if there is a curfew, could we stay in the hostel they asked, that's at your own risk come the humorous rejoinder from Bala which had the audience roaring with laughter.

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