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| Monday, 26 July 2004 |
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Rear Admiral Harsha Mayadunne - A rare sportsman by Premasara Epasinghe Sports - have been associated with a variety of fields since the dawn of human history. But, it is very rarely that sports and the sea go hand in hand - Especially the sea, cricket and rugby football. Rear Admiral Harsha Mayadunne has been able to achieve this unusual combination of sports and high naval discipline. He committed himself to the noble mission of saving our land and our people. With equal dedication, he has celebrated sports throughout his life cricket, rugby and several sports. It was my good fortune discover this rare gem of multiple discipline, when I was serving at Bank of Ceylon. I represented the Bank at cricket. At that time, he was in his youthful prime, bubbling with enthusiasm and eagerness to play his role. When I met him first, he had just left Thurstan College. Even his future career was not exactly defined at that time. As I can recall, it was possible for me to hand over my wicket keeping gloves to this enthusiastic young man to continue the tradition. He excelled in whatever role he played in sports. Harsha Mayadunne joined St. Peter's College, Colombo in 1959. He commenced his cricket and Rugby career playing for under-12 cricket and under-15 rugby teams, under the able guidance of rugby legend late Archibald Perera. In 1970, he joined Thurstan College, Diyanesh Rajaratnam and Harsha Mayadunne duo, dominated Inter School Cricket and Rugby during the early seventies. In 1972, Diyanesh had the Inter-School highest aggregate in batting. Harsha, crowned in wicket keeping, with most number of victims, with 10 victims in the encounter against Nalanda. Leaving school in 1972, he joined the Bank of Ceylon, where he represented not only BOC cricket-team, but also the Nationalised Services Team in Robert Senanayake Trophy Cricket Tournament. He also formed the seven-a-side Bank rugby team which finally won the Nationalised Service Rugby Championship in 1973. Not only did he participate in sports, but also passed his Banking and Accountancy Examinations. The turning point of Harsha's career, began in 1974, after he joined the Sri Lanka Navy as an officer cadet. He represented Navy, cricket and rugby teams for over a decade and captained the teams in 1980 and 1981 respectively. He was a prolific scorer and a fine wicket-keeper. His official duties did not permit him to attend National Pool practices in 1975, although he was in the World Cup Pool. At that time he was serving out of Colombo. Harsha Mayadunne was one of the best rugby players that represented the Sri Lanka Navy in the 1970s. During this period Navy 3rd row, consisted of P.L.B. Nandasiri, N. Ramanayake, and Harsha Mayadunne. They were regarded as one of the most robust and fierce and 3rd row forwards. Mayadunne holds a Master of Science (Msc) Degree and Diplomas in General Management and also Business Administration. He has followed several Military Training courses in India and United States. Recently, he returned from USA on a successful completion of Senior Military Officers Executive Course at the Asia Pacific centre for security studies under US Pacific Command in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is also an active member of Lions Movement in Sri Lanka. He initiated many important and useful projects such as constructing school buildings in terrorist affected areas, renovation of hospitals are some of his social activities in his year of Presidency. Rear Admiral Mayadunne is endowed with outstanding leadership qualities and diplomatic fact. He has received many awards and plaudits by dint of hard work and intellectual alertness. He is also a recipient of Uttama Seva Padakkama for his 30 years of dedicated service. Mayadunne is a role model for younger generation. After hanging up his boots, he took up coaching Navy cricket and rugby teams for several years. Some of the national rugby players he produced from the Sri Lanka Navy are Ravi Jayasooriya, S. Malewana, N. Ruwanthilake and N. Collenne. Mayadunne was born on 4th March 1953. His father late S. Mayadunne, is a Businessman. His mother Tilaka Mayadunne is a teacher. Mayadunne is an outstanding sports administrator. He was the Manager of the Sri Lanka National rugby team on many occasions. He was the Manager of the 1998 SL Rugby team in Darwin, Australia and 1999 neighbours cup winning team which defeated Thailand, and Malaysia. He was also the Chairman, Organising Committee of the highly successful Junior Asian Rugby Championship held in Colombo in the year 2000. Further, he participated in the Junior World Cup Tournament as the Chief de Mission of Sri Lankan contingent. Rear Admiral Mayadunne is the Director General Logistics Naval Headquarters. He held many important appointments at Headquarters and also in the Eastern and Northern Naval Bases prior to being appointed as Director General. He was the Secretary, Vice President (1999-2000) President (2001-2002) of the Rugby Football Union. He was responsible for building the SLRFU Headquarters. His wife Priyani - a retired teacher who is the wind behind his wings. They have three daughters Nemisha, Madhusha, Janisha. Though he is a highly decorated dignitary in the Sri Lanka Defence Services, he still cherishes those never fading moments of sports. He is a symbol of possessive assets we associate with sports - gentlemanliness, humility and above all discipline under all circumstances. I deem it a pleasure to bless him, wishing him still higher reaches in his distinguished career. |
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