Life and times in sports

Big hitter Daya Sirisena

BY PREMASARA Epasinghe

IT WAS a thriller moulded in the style of a Alfred Hitchcock production.

To score 56 runs for victory in a day, at one stage, they were 38 for 1 wicket.

The "procession" began. The scoreboard read 42 for 9 wickets suddenly. Skipper Nimal Fernando, had other ideas. He had three consecutive boundaries.

There were boundaries everywhere - right, left and front. 42/9 became 46/9, 50/9, 54/9 - one to equal two to win. Nimal Fernando tried an adventurous shot - a sizzling full blooded drive through mid-on. It was like thunder. It was a powerful uppish drive.

The burly fielder at mid-on, dived into his left and held a brilliant air-borne catch. It was undoubtedly, the catch of a lifetime and the best seen by me to this date.

"Ado - Moratuwa Eka - Moratuwa Kewa"

All hell broke out. The cricket crazy Moratuwa crowd went berserk. They started shouting:-

Ado, Moratuwa eka Moratuwa kewa -

Ado, Moratuwa eka moratuwa kewa

The college ground was soon turned to be a hot-bed of fanaticism. The unruly crowd - thousands, could not fathom their school losing in this manner. Feelings ran run-riot.

As the Master-in-Charge of the winning Team, I locked the dressing room door and I was with the Team. The crowd was shouting outside the pavilion. My main responsibility was the safety of my Team. As this same was played outside Colombo, we were sans supporters.

This was how the Nalanda - Prince of Wales Inter-School Cricket Match played in 1969 ended, when Nalanda won the match by a mere whisker beating the Cambrians.

Who was the culprit who deprived Prince of Wales victory?

He was Daya Sirisena, who hailed from the coastal town, Moratuwa, who held on to this fantastic catch.

Col. Pathiraja, who was a former Teacher at Nalanda and at that time, Warden of the University of Moratuwa who witnessed informed the Police about the unruly incident and we were escorted to Moratuwa Campus by Police. With this incident, Nalanda cancelled its annual fixture and later it was revived after sixteen years.

The rolly-polly rotund, Daya Sirisena was one of the finest cricketers produced by Nalanda in the 1960s.

Charming, pleasant, Sirisena is a jewel of cricketer, who brought honour and glory to Nalanda on many occasions. He plays a straight bat. He was an obedient and an exemplary students loved by the Principal and the Teacher alike.

Sirisena was born on 27th September 1950. He hails from Moratuwa. His father Aurvedic Dr. Wilson Sirisena was a leading Medical practitioner and a philanthropist and social service worker. His mother's name was Sumana Sirisena.

His father's main ambition was to give a complete education to his son. He admitted little Sirisena, to one of the leading schools in Colombo - St. Benedict's College, Kotahena - a great seat of Education in Sri Lanka.

He played Junior Cricket at St. Benedict's and later joined Nalanda Vidyalaya, Colombo.

He started his sporting career at St. Benedict's College as an Athlete. He represented the College at the Public Schools Meet and created records in Javelin and Discuss Throwing Events.

He blossomed as a school cricketer at Nalanda. He was a gutty left hand batsman. Daya was a fine team man. He always put the team before self.

Lefthanders are an asset to any side. At Nalanda, he was a hard-hitting middle order batsman. He was always a "crisis man".

I still remember as the Master-in-Charge, in the Big Match when Nalanda was tottering at 42 for 6 wickets, Sirisena with that fine utility player Dhammika Samarawickrema fought gallantly and registered a fine 7th wicket partnership in 1970.

Brilliant half century at the Big Match

The finest hour of Daya a Sirisena's school cricket career dawned in 1970 - Ananda-Nalanda Big Match, when he played a brilliant innings and scored 74 runs when the chips were down.

A left-hander in the middle, was a bonus for any side. There was something different about Sirisena. He had the shots, the skill and the temperament all rolled into one.

When batting, this stylish left-hander swept, nudged, cut and drove as he treated every ball on its merit and was soon in command. This is exactly what he did in his memorable innings against Ananda in 1970. At times, he combined power play.

Rare Gems

I consider, Nandadeva Perera captained Nalanda in 1971, Sirisena and Dhammika Samarawickrema as the finest gentlemanly cricketers, produced by Nalanda, during my stint, as the Master-in-Charge and prefect of games.

They were "very special" for the staff. Even today, they respect their teachers. They are unassuming, humble and fine human beings. They moulded their character through this noble game.

As a Teacher, who guided them, during their schooldays, I am so happy to see them doing well in life. I presume, one reason for their success is the blessings of their beloved teachers and coaches. They are gentlemen of the highest order today.

Pupil of great Gerry Gooneratne

Sirisena was coached by late Gerry Cooneratne - the greatest cricket coach of Nalanda who served them for 35 years from 1947-1982, with distinction.

Daya was one of his great products. Not only he coached and taught cricket, but moulded their characters to be exemplary citizens.

Club cricketer of repute

While in school, Daya Sirisena played club cricket and represented Moratuwa. The great fast-bowler Sylvester Dias, helped and guided him.

When he was playing for Moratuwa, one great equality of Sirisena was that he respected his seniors and was always ready to learn the finer points of the game from them.

By 1983, Sirisena captained Moratuwa S.C. and his "Guru Sylvester Dias, Tudor Meegoda, Sarath Fernando and S. Illangaratnam, all played under him.

In club cricket, he blossomed as a fine opening batsman. He was a successful opener and had a total understanding with his partner. He had the right temperament, patience, determination and ability to concentrate. But with all these ingredients, he believed that the attack was the best form of defence.

240 sixes in Sara First class Cricket

Sirisena played sixteen years of Sara Trophy cricket from 1970-1986. He represented Moratuwa, SSC, CCC and BRC. This swashbuckling left-hander boasts of a unique record - in Sara Cricket.

In his career, he scored 240 sixes. In one season, he scored 44 sixes in nine innings and erased the record of 42 sixes scored by that great cricketer C. I. Gunasekera. Against Saracens, playing for BRC, Sirisena had five consecutive sixes in an over.

Biggest Disappointment

"In a Test Trial in 1971, I scored 50 not out and in the second innings remained unbeaten with 71. My friend Duleep scored 84 and 03 respectively. Anyway, I was overlooked. Cricket is sometimes, a game of disappointment.

That's the way it goes in life. But, I am very happy, I learned a lot, enjoyed every bit of school and club cricket. By playing cricket, I never earned money, but, I earned many friends. That's the greatest asset", stated Sirisena.

After returning to Sri Lanka from Canada, he tied the nuptial knot, with Sharminie. She is a tower of inspiration to him.

They are blessed with two sons - Eraj - an honours graduate in Canada and Lasith, a student at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia.

After the demise of his beloved father, who was the live-wire of Sirisena Dhamma Mandira Meditation Centre, Moratuwa, the mantle fell on Daya Sirisena to be the President of the Board of Trustees.

He is actively involved with the centre. Sirisena is one of the leading writers on Buddhism who contributes to the Daily News.