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Dissanayakes of Wesley

by Premasara Epasinghe

Way back in December 1982, Nalanda met Ananda in the finals of the Sri Lanka Schools under-13 Division One, at the NCC grounds. It was a two-day match. Ananda was captained by A. Gunawardane and Nalanda was led by Bhagya Epasinghe. Nalanda won the 'Junior Cricket Plum' beating Ananda by 100 runs.

The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation relayed live commentaries on this match and Ranjan Madugalle, was in the box as an expert commentator.

In his summing up, Madugalle made these remarks:

"One thing is very clear. We witnessed some absorbing cricket during the past two days. The standard is very high. I am not be bit surprised that some of the junior cricketers who excelled these two days, especially Danesh Dissanayake (Nalanda), who made a brilliant century, Marvan Attapattu (Ananda) who scored a fighting half century, and Nalanda skipper left-hander Bhajya Epasinghe, who collected a stylish 43 and ably led the side, will be future Test players of the Sri Lanka in the 1990s."

What a great prediction!

Marvan not only represented Sri Lanka, today, he is the Sri Lanka National Test captain. Nalanda wicket-keeper in this final - Chamara Dunusinghe too became a Test player.

Danesh and Bhagya left Nalanda and joined Wesley and S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, respectively and went on to play for their respective schools.

Danesh migrated to Australia for a couple of years. Bhagya played for NCC, University of Ceylon, Gabrone Cricket Club, Botswana. He sacrificed his cricket career, for studies, became an academic and a professional in Finance Management, and Accountancy and became an accountant.

At that time, 1982, out of these three school cricketers, number one for me, was undoubtedly Danesh Dissanayake.

He was one of the most elegant gifted batsmen and a fine pace-bowler, a brilliant fielder and a 'captain's dream'. I knew him so well as I watched them.

'As a junior cricketer, Danesh scored four brilliant centuries that season and helped Nalanda to win the school Division One tournament in 1982. He won the Best All-Rounder and won the Man of the Match awards. Former Australian High Commissioner, David Rutter, who graced the occasion of the finals at NCC, as the chief guest, gave away the awards.

Sri Lanka material

I consider Danesh Dissanayake, a man of missed opportunities in Sri Lanka's cricket. Undoubtedly, he was Sri Lanka material. But, fate deprived his chance to represent Sri Lanka, as he went 'down under', after captaining Wesley, for further studies.

Personal names coined with schools

There are many personal names that goes with their respective schools they studied, and they are synonymous.

Mahinda - Amendras; Royal - Gunasekeras and de Sarams; S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia - Saravanamuttus, Senanayakes (DS, Dudley and Robert), Molamures, Sarams, Mendis' and Bulankulamas; Ananda - Ranatungas, Wettimunys, Polonnowitas; Nalanda - Narangodas, Pereras (Lincoln, Jayawickrema and Parakrama twins), Asoka, Warnapuras, Seneviratnes, Illukkumburas, (Daya, Karunatilake and Achinta), Weerasinghes, Mahanamas; are some of the names that come to my mind.

Dissanayake clan of Wesley

Wesley College, and Dissanayakes are insperable. Brothers, fathers and sons have represented Wesley College in cricket, in their distinguished and chequered history. 'Dissanayake clan' began their cricket career in Wesley in late 1930s.

Bertram Dissanayake played for Wesley from 1939-1941, and he was a vice captain of the college cricket team. He entered the University of Ceylon, during the period when Sir Ivor Jennings was the Vice-Chancellor.

Chandra, Donald, Edmund represented Wesley from 1944-1945. All three took up to legal profession. Chandra, retired as the Assistant Commissioner of Labour. Edmund captained in 1946 and 1947, and scored a century against Royal College after 31 years.

Graham Dissanayake - retired as the Commissioner of Food, was the first Ceylonese to secure the Diploma in Development Administration (Manchester). His son, Mahendra Dissanayake, captained Wesley College in 1984 and was selected as the sports star in 1985. He too played cricket in Australia for many seasons.

While in Australia, Mahendra, obtained the Bachelor of Engineering degree and MSc in Information Technology.

Danesh - a born cricketer

Danesh Dissanayake was a born cricketer. As a tiny-tot playing for Nalanda under-11, he created cricket history in Sri Lanka.

The date 25th October 1980 was a memorable day for Danesh and Bhagya. Against Zahira College, Maradana, Danesh Dissanayake captured 8 wicket for 1 run and again 6 wickets for 5 runs, and a match-bag of 14 wickets for 6 runs.

In the first innings Zahira were dismissed for 13 runs in less than three overs. If my memory serves right, after Nalanda scoring 250 and over, with Bhagya Epasinghe, remaining unbeaten with 158, erasing Isipatana Hashan Tillekeratne's record of 154 runs, in the under-11 Sri Lanka School Cricket Association tournament.

In this under-11 tournament, right hander, Danesh Dissanayake scored a sparking 121 not out against Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya.

Great player

Immediately after leaving Nalanda, at the age of 14, he represented his father's College Wesley and between 1985/1989, he scored: 1985 - 107 n.o. versus Carey, 141 - against Isipatana, 1988 - 100 against Royal, and again 114 versus Royal in 1989, 105 against St. Joseph's in 1989.

In addition, he scored 88 n.o., versus Trinity in 1988, 93 runs against STC MtL, and 98 against St. Peter's in 1989. As a great batsman, he takes good balls and turns them into bad balls. A great player can do what the good player cannot.

Danesh Dissanayake was adjudged runner-up School Cricketer in 1989 and the Best Allrounder.

Achievements in Australia

While in Australia, he obtained Diploma in Business (Banking and Finance) in 1998 and in 2000, he obtained the Associate Diploma of Business (Accounting). In 2003, he obtained the Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance) from the University of Monash, Australia. Danesh was in Australia for 8 years.

He played cricket and watched in Australia. He was one of the most outstanding players to represent Marians and Chirnside Park Club in Melbourne between 1996 to 2003. He played along with Ravi Ratnayake, Rumesh Ratnayake and present Sri Lanka 'A' coach Stanley Nell.

Danesh Dissanayake was born on 2nd April 1970. His father Edmund Dissanayake served Wesley as a teacher for more than 25 years.

Later he took up to law profession. He was the Prefect of Games, Master-in- Charge of cricket and honorary coach of Wesley College for many years. Danesh's mother Amara Dissanayke who hails from Matara, was a teacher by profession and holds the Post Graduate Diploma in Education.

Fuards - Dissanayakes father-son captains of Wesley

There are two instances at Wesley, where father and son captained. In 1915, A. M. Fuard and in 1954, Ansar Fuard, achieved this rare distinction and honour and in 1946 and 1947 - Edmund and in 1989 - Danesh, father and son respectively captained this great school.

A great seat of learning

Wesley College was founded on 2nd March 1874. Though its portals, several distinguished sons have passed through. To name a few - Sir Baron Jayatilleke, Dr. E. W. Adikaram, Prof. J. E. Jayasuriya, Prof. E. F. C. Ludowyke, P. de S. Kularatne, Father S. G. Perera, Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, Sir Claude Corea, Sir Gerard Wijekoon, Sir Mohamed Macan Markar, Justice Amir Ismail, Banker Rienzie Wijetilleke, and cricketing maestros M. Sathasivam and Abu Fuard. These are some of the distinguished Wesleyites that come to mind among many.

There is a unique record created by the father and son. Both scored centuries against their oldest rival Royal College, with son Danesh doing better than the father, by scoring centuries in 1988 and 1989.

Edmund Dissanayake episode

Wesley and Dissanayake episode will be incomplete, if I do not enlighten you, on the Wesley-S. Thomas cricket encounter in 1947. Wesley were riding high beating Royal the earlier week at Ried Avenue.

Thomians were captained by Upali Katugaha, who had Ronnie Weerakoon as his deputy. An unprecedented crowd was present at Mount Lavinia, to watch the Thomians reel under Wesley pressure, with skipper Edmund Dissanayake, bowling his heart out to capture 6 for 14 runs. The first day ended on a triumphant note to Wesley.

Before the Thomian clash, Edmund had a feeling, some unpleasant incident is going to happen - and thinking of a premonition of disaster.

Cartman's car broke down

The following day - Saturday, Principal Rev. James Cartman decided to drive his captain to Mount Lavinia. The car stalled near Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Borella. It was a bad omen.

School by the sea at sea against Wesley

However, at Mount Lavinia, Wesley fought hard and the school by the sea, were at sea, lost six wickets for 60 runs, and defeat was staring at them.

Ronnie clobbered and Edmund fell

Edmund changed his plan and he took position at 'suicidal short-leg'. Remember, at that era, there were no helmets, or protective gear. N. S. Jayasundera was the bowler. One of his deliveries slipped of his palm.

Ronnie Weerakoon clobbered the full toss, with all his might and the ball struck Edmund, with a resounding thud on his head. Edmund swung round like a merry-go-round and fell full length, near the pitch.

Wesley victorious by 112 runs

Rev. Cartman was the first to rush to the field, and as he carried off his captain, "Even the ranks of Tuscany could scarce forbear to cheer".

Before he lapsed into unconsciousness, Edmund Dissanayake, great skipper, gave instructions about the bowling changes. While Edmund was battle it out for his life at the hospital, Wesley emerged victorious by 112 runs.

Miraculous recovery of Edmund

At the Durdan Private Hospital, Dr. J. H. F. Jayasooriya, the eminent brain surgeon, battled round the clock to save Edmund. It was found that he suffered from concussion of the brain, laceration of the brain tissues, associated with paralysis of the region below the waist. Edmund Dissanayake's recovery was indeed a miracle.

Death notice and a memorial service at a sister school Galle

For nearly two months he lay between life and death. There was a death notice in the Daily News 'stop press' column of another E. Dissanayake, and sympathisers presuming that the worst had happened, to Edmund, flocked to Durdans. Royal and S. Thomas' cricket teams too were there. They say that bad news has wings. The rumour of his death spread to Galle, southern capital, where a sister school Richmond College Galle, held a memorial service.

Selector of SLSCA 1968/1969

I am so happy that in later years, in 1969, Edmund (Wesley) and yours truly (Nalanda) were selectors of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association.

Answer Wesley's call

Presently, Danesh faced a challenge. To be the cricket coach at Wesley is an achievement itself. He returned from Australia to help his alma-mater.

I must remind my 'star student', Danesh, in a nut-shell, what cricket coaching is.

Young players however talented need the accumulated wisdom of others. The role of a coach is simple.

To assist his charges to improve their skills and enhance their personal performances.

His aims are also simple. To create improvement; so that a batsman scores more runs; a bowler takes more wickets; a fieldsman takes more catches, saves more runs in the field and seizes more opportunities to create run-outs.

Knowing Danesh Dissanayake's capabilities, I am positive and confident that as the new coach of Wesley College, one of the premier schools in the island, that he will usher the dawn of a new cricketing era for them in the years to come.

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