Former Royal captain Ubhaya passes away

Richard DWIGHT

DEATH: Many a sportsman belonging to those glorious years of the fifties and early sixties, are now one by one, slowly but surely making their exit from the earthly scene and, sadly so it was, when yet another in the former Royal College cricket captain, Ubhaya de Silva, peacefully slipped through life in the early hours of Saturday at the age of 74.

Though highly active the popular, Ubhaya, in the recent years led a subdued life - mainly because he was stricken with an ailment that stood between him and life and finally succumbed to it.

Blessed with a pleasing personality and a domineering physique, most suited for sports - he blossomed out at Royal College to be an exemplary holistic student, where he excelled both in the classroom and the sports field. Ubhaya, played cricket for Royal for 4 years from 1951 and led the side in 1953.

He also distinguished himself as a fine tennis player and represented Royal at the public schools tournaments. He was found to be meticulous in his ways in the classroom, to do well in his studies.

All of which led him to be appointed as the head prefect and with time in recognition and appreciation of his extraordinary ability he was adjudged Royal’s outstanding student, to be the winner of the coveted ‘Donohast’ prize.

Given to sober disciplined ways, the mild mannered Ubhaya, brought to bear those noble virtues imbibed from sports and his college, to his work firstly as senior planter of Whittals, then as Director of JEDB to end up as representative of UNICEF, involving countries like Somalia and the Maldives.

Having played cricket for SSC and the Dimbulla CC, his contributions towards the promotion and furtherance of sport was seen in his being a life long member of the SSC, where he was vice-president as well. The president of the Bandarawela Tennis Club and served as a selector of the national tennis team too.

Innately reticent and of quiet disposition, Ubhaya, was a good man who knew when to speak and when to withhold his speech. He belonged to a rare breed, spoken of as gentlemen, which is fast dwindling in the contemporary times we live in.

His mortal remains will be cremated at 5 p.m. today at the Borella general cemetery. Ubhaya is survived by his wife Nalini and sons Rohan, Arvinda and Arjuna. His former wife Manel predeceased him some years ago.