‘Clean and dignified cricket under Tyronne Fernando’

Gwen Herat

‘It was sad to learn the passing away of Tyronne Fernando who was an illustrous son of Sri Lanka. Oxford educated, he strode across the portals of justice, politics, cricket etc. with aplomb.

He was also the author of several books. I was associated with him closely during his tenure as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (Now Sri Lanka Cricket).

He was one of the finest and clean Presidents who brought dignity to the gentlemen’s game, something his followers should emulate, especially when cricket is in shamble today with no executive President.

Unfortunately, Tyronne disassociated himself with cricket and the game suffered. He was responsible in erecting an international stadium in Moratuwa which was subsequently named after him. During his presidency, he cleverly negotiated to bring down many many teams to Sri Lanka which resulted in international exposure.

Tyronee supported and guided me when I was the President of the Puttalam District Cricket Association which was riding high at his time. Tyronne and Gamini Dissanayake were role models in the game, the kind of which we shall never see.

May the turf on his grave gently grow.