De S. Wijeyeratne clan and St Joseph’s cricket

SUPUN perera

It is a well known fact that schools like Royal, S. Thomas’, St Joseph’s and Trinity have their own rich traditions when it comes to whatever the field of sport.

I’m attempting to turn back the pages of the old history books of these four great institutions since they apparently possess and boast of a glorious background where the game of cricket had been a sacred tradition to a number of generations. The success of their forefathers and their siblings in this much looked forward game has not only brought honour and glory for the country but it has enabled Sri Lanka to be ‘a force to be reckoned with’ though it obtained test status rather late in 1982.

The Gunasekera’s of Royal, Saravanamuttu’s of S. Thomas’, de S. Wijeyeratne’s of St Joseph’s and Madugalle’s of Trinity were of that rare brand of cricket aristocrats. A great many are honest and honourable craftsmen but men hailed from these few distinguished families were men of quality, skill, elegance, grace that brought to the game a richness so sadly lacking today. This issue confines to the de S. Wijeyeratne clan who made Josephian cricket absolutely proud particularly in the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st.

de S. Wijeyeratne name begins at St Joseph’s from its foundation stone where Robert de S. Wijeyeratne was a member of the founder’s committee of the college. As time passed Eldred de S. Wijeyeratne who was a student and also became a distinguished teacher at St Joseph’s.

Cricket gear

However it was year 1966 which saw the first Wijeyeratne donning the cricket gear for the Darley Road School where stylish left-handed wicket keeper batsman Lalith de S. Wijeyeratne played under Alan de Costa (later Dr. Alan de Costa now Down Under). In fact Lalith Captained the College in 1968 and became the ‘Schoolboy cricketer’ in his final year 1969 under that star sportsman of St Joseph’s Brian Obeysekera. Then his younger brother Manik de S. Wijeyeratne turned out for St Joseph’s from 1968 to 1971 and captained the College in the prestigious 37th ‘Battle of the Saints’ encounter in the absence of appointed captain Wendell Kelaart.

Manik went on to represent Sri Lanka School’s as a left-arm spinner under Mitra Wettimuny which toured India in 1970. The third in the family was Rohan de S. Wijeyeratne who represented SJC from 1970 to 1972 as a slow left armer and had the fortune of tasting two Big Match victories in 1970 and 1972 respectively.

He also held a bowling record for the most number of wickets for a season at one time.At present he is a well Known and a reputed cricket commentator. They were followed by Dilip de S. Wijeyeratne (1980/81) and Harin de S. Wijeyeratne (1984/85).

Second set

The second set of de S. Wijeyeratne’s started playing for St, Joseph’s when Turlough de S Wijeyeratne made his debut under Hector Perera (Jnr) in 1970 and continued till 1972. He was a member of 1972 Josephian team which won the Big match.He was followed by Placidough de S. Wijeyeratne in 1973. But he was the 12th man for the Big match. He was followed by Paulinus in 1975/76. The fourth was Susilough de S. Wijeyeratne who made his debut in 1975 and continued to play till 1977 as a slow left arm spinner. In this era Joes were depending on spinners heavily and Susilough de S. Wijeyeratne played a vital role in the Josephian success. Incidentally Susilough de S. Wijeyeratne was the architect of the first Josephian one day (50 over) victory against Peterites in 1976. Both Lalith and Susilough de S. Wijeyeratne did yeoman service as the presidents of the Josephian Cricket Advisory in later years.

From 1975 to 1978 there were three de S. Wijeyeratnes representing the Darley Road school where Shamilal de S. Wijeyeratne ended up captaining in 1978. The youngest of them Niroshan represented the Joes from 1980 to 1981. However it was noteworthy to mention that their grandfather Austin de S.W. or Father Sherrard de S W. has never played cricket for SJC. The next Generation begins with 1993/94 where Chamath de S.W. represented St. Joseph’s. Dinuk de S. Wijeyeratne; son of Turlough de S.W. though played junior cricket for St Joseph’s ended up as a top ruggerrite who represented Joes rugby from 1995 to 1999.

He played for Sri Lanka with much distinction and still continues to play for CH and FC as a dependable full back. From 2000 to 2002 Tivanka de S. Wijeyeratne played for St Joseph’s and had the distinction of captaining his Alma Mater in his final year. Further Anouk de S. Wijeyeratne; son of Lalith de S. W. played for SJC from 1999 to 2001 as a slow left arm spinner and had the privilege of captaining the college in the big match and the 50-over (2001) in the absence of regular captain Dhanuka Pathirana who was on a Sri Lanka School’s overseas tour.

A total of sixteen de S. Wijeyeratne’s have represented St. Joseph’s in cricket starting from 1966 to 2002.