Versatile Maurice Perera

Life and times in Sport by Premasara Epasinghe

He is a fine all-rounder, a versatile charming character in every sense of the word. He excelled as a cricketer, an Academic, Educationist, result oriented cricket coach, cricket commentator par-excellence and a reputed marketing personality in the country. Added to all this, he is a thorough gentleman and a fine human-being. He is Maurice Perera.

Capt. George Perera of Josephian fame

C. E. Maurice Perera is a septuagenarian. (A septuagenarian is a person who is between 70 and 79 years) He was born on 21st September 1927. His father was the legendary cricket coach and a teacher at St. Josephs, Maradana, Colombo - Capt. George Perera. He coached the champion outfits of St. Joseph's College, in the 1930's to name a few out of many, Johnpulle, Robert Fernando, Malcom Spittle, Gerry Gooneratne were some of his products. George Perera was a strict disciplinarian and a devoted teacher.

Although, his father's links were with St. Joseph's, he sent his two sons Anton and Maurice to St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya.

Fine combination of brothers

His elder brother late Anton Perera, captained St. Peter's College, in 1944 and 1945. He was such an outstanding cricketer, he had the proud distinction of representing the Combined Colleges XI against the Indians.

Maurice Perera joined St. Peter's College in 1934 and entered the University of Ceylon in 1946. "My brother Anton and I were greatly influenced by our father. This led two of us to take upto cricket. We played junior cricket and later graduated into the senior cricket teams. I played under my brother Anton in 1944 - and played three years in the First XI. I was the Vice Captain to Dion Walles, who captained the side in 1946. We beat our arch-rivals St. Joseph's in the Big-Match - The Battle of the Saints for the first time. This victory is something which I will always cherish," stated Maurice Perera.

Held the record for 24 years

Maurice was a fine left-hand opening batsman and a useful off-spinner. In the big match, Maurice and Ebenezar de Soyza established a record partnership for the 2nd wicket scoring 112 runs. This record partnership was intact for 24 years, then Roy Dias and Dayan Madewela erased it with a partnership of 113 runs. Maurice scored a half century. "Incidently, I was commentating over the air-waves of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, when Roy Dias and Dayan Madewela established this record," said Maurice Perera.

University of Ceylon captain

Maurice played for the University of Ceylon and later went on to captain the University in 1949. First, he played under his elder brother and skippered the university team in 1949/1950. Some of his contemporaries who played with him were Dr. C. D. L. Fernando, Andrew Nanayakkara, Asgar Hazari, E. T. L. Pereira, B. Ponniah, S. J. Thambyah, T. B. Werapitiya, H. D. Thambyah, Rudra Rajasingham and Bradman Weerakoon and Ronnie Weerakoon, who later represented Sri Lanka against the Commonwealth Team.

After passing out as an Arts Graduate from the University of Ceylon, he started his career as a teacher.

"I joined the staff of Trinity College, Kandy in 1951 and handled the under-16 cricket team as the coach. Mahinda Ratwatte and Hulangamuwa played in this under-16 side.

Hillary Abeyratne was the First XI coach at Trinity at that time, who did yeoman service to Trinity," stated Perera.

Brilliant coach

In 1952, Maurice Perera joined St. Anthony's College, Kandy. He was appointed the First XI cricket coach, succeeding the famous legendary John Halangoda (Snr).

The "Golden Era" of St. Anthony's College cricket dawned with Maurice taking over the reins as the cricket coach. In 1953/1954, St. Anthony's College, became a cricketing force in Sri Lanka. They were the un-official champions among schools. This year they beat their arch-rivals Trinity by an innings.

Further in this big match", Lafir and Stevens had an alliance of 266 runs, which I presume is still intact. Some of the members of this champion outfit were A. C. M. Lafir, Ronnie Stevens. Saliya Doranagama, Ranjit Doranagama, Tom Deen, to name a few.

In 1957, he coached the St. Peters College cricket team. This team was captained by Jayantha Fernando.

Commentator-par excellence

Maurice Perera was one of the leading cricket commentators in the country. He had the proud distinction of commentating the Joe-Pete Big Match for 44 years. Further, he commentated on some of the International Cricket matches. I was very fortunate to be with him in the box in number of International matches played in Sri Lanka.

"I still remember my father George Perera used to do cricket commentaries way back in 1947, on Joe-Pete Big Match. He used to take Anton and me as his scorers. Listening to him, two of us were influenced to become commentators later. Anyway, it is quite an experience and a memorable one," stated Maurice Perera.

It is indeed a very rare achievement and a record that two brothers - Anton and Maurice were on the air at the same time.

Family background

Maurice Perera's mother's name - Mrs. Ensina Perera. She hails from a highly respectable family from Weligama. Maurice's sister Marion is married to the famous Thomian - all-rounder Ronnie Weerakoon.

Parents - Capt. George and Ensina were a tower of strength for the two brothers Anton and Maurice and sister Marion.