Sylvestrian D. M. De Alwis - boxer and athlete

D. M. De Alwis, was one of the most outstanding sportsmen produced by St. Sylvester's College, Kandy - a school started in 1942 by father Robert AMI.

It is an oft-spring of St. Anthony's College, Katugastota. During the period of D. J. N. Seneviratne, St. Sylvester's became a household name in the Education sphere of Sri Lanka.

Boxing is one of the leading sports at St. Sylvester's College. Tracing the history of boxing in the early days, one name stands out in training boxers at St. Sylvester's College. He was a superb boxer who was the champion boxer in the Central Province.

His name is D. M. De Alwis.

He was born on 29th January 1927. He hails from a respectable family from Angunawela, Peradeniya. He had his primary education at Bilingual School Peradeniya and later for his secondary education entered St. Sylvester's College Kandy.

His parents were Gerald De Alwis and Helena Perera.

At St. Sylvester's, he shone as a bright sports star. He was a fine Athlete and as a student, he was in-charge of training the College Boxers. He started his boxing carer under the guidance of E. W. W. Nanayakkara at Bilingual School, Peradeniya.

Some of the Boxers trained by D. M. De Alwis, at St. Sylvester's were Annesley Soysa and Milroy Soysa brothers, who were adjudged the Best Boxers in the Stubbs Shield Boxing meet. They migrated to Australia.

Then others who brought fame and honour to Sylvesters in the Stubbs Shield were Ivan Perera, Hilton De Silva, Malcolme Marshall, Leslie Marshall, Donald Labroy etc.

It was the hard-work, dedication and commitment of D. M. De Alwis, that helped Sylvestrians to reach the top in boxing in the 1940's.

As an athlete too he excelled for College as well as the University of Ceylon. He was a long distance runner - 5000 metres and 800 metres. He was the 800 metres champion in the central province.

His athletic career blossomed after he entered the University of Ceylon.

"My greatest achievement and the most memorable incident were winning the 5,000 metres with a new university record and coming first in 800 metres. I was awarded the Casperize Challenge cup for the Best Performance and the day that I won my University "Colours for Athletics" in 1951, stated D. M. De Alwis.

In 1953, he won the first place in the cross country race held by the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya.

The guiding lights of the University of Ceylon sports were Vice Chancellor Sir Ivor Jennings, Director of Physical Education - a Lenodian Olympian - G. B. Brant Little and Dr. H. M. P. Perera.

"Sir Ivor Jennings, our beloved Vice-Chancellor moulded us to be productive good citizens of our country. His welcome address to us in the university, is still echoes in my mind. Sir Ivor stated the value of University Education and specifically mentioned to respect and honour your parents.

He further stated, if you do the wrong thing, (not that you should do) he will protect us. But, if you break the rules of the law, outside that he will help the prosecution", stated D. M. De. Alwis.

At the university, he did an honours degree in economics. Professor Das Gupta and Dr. H. A. De S. Gunasekera were his senior lecturers at the University of Ceylon. Some of his contemporaries were V. K. Wickramasinghe (son of Martin Wickramasinghe), Neville Karunatilake, James Mather, Bradman Weerakoon, Felix Delgoda, Anton and Maurice Perera brothers etc.

"One of my team mates in the University Athletic Team was Lakshman Kadirgamar. He was one of the most stylish, and brilliant hurdlers. He was a versatile sportsman and a fine gentleman", stated D. M. De Alwis.

The champion University of Ceylon Athletic Team 1948/1949 consisted of Thomian Oscar Wijesinghe - who captained the Royal - Thomian in 67th Encounter played on 15th and 16th March 1946. John De Saram, Walter May, D. C. Ariyanayagam, Upali Amarasinghe, V. L. C. Pietersz, A. R. N. Perera, Rupa Wickramasinghe, Hulugalle, Jansz, and Lakshman Kadirgamar were the other members of the Team.

After leaving the University of Ceylon, he took up to Teaching. He taught at St. Andrew's College, Gampola for a few years and later persued a career in Insurance. He was the fire-manager of the Ceylon Insurance. He underwent training in Insured at the Insurance Training Insurance at Versova, Bombay. Presently he is an Insurance consultant.

"Whom do you select as the Best University athlete that you have seen during your University career"?

"My choice is Oscar Wijesinghe. He was a great athlete. It was a treat to watch him run the 100 metres and 200 metres. I consider him as a versatile sportsman and a thorough gentleman", stated D. M. de Alwis.

D. M. De Alwis is a social service worker. He was the President of Lions Club, Dehiwela (1974-1975).

Zone Chairman Districts 306 A, (1975-1978) Chairman Elections and Nominations District 306 A (2001), Executive Committee member Alumni Association - University of Ceylon, Colombo.

He is married to Matilda De Alwis. They celebrated their Golden Jubilee Wedding Anniversary on 18th April 2005.

They have two children - son Mihira and daughter Manoji.