Lakshman Jayakody was an outstanding sportsman

Gamini WEERASINGHE

All Trinitians will grieve over the passing away of one of its great sons and a benefactor Lakshman Jayakody who had a very illustrious record at Trinity having won the Cricket colours in 1948 after a splendid half centuries against Wesley College and in the big match against St. Anthony's College. He went on to represent the College and in 1950 scored another two half centuries against S. Thomas' and St. Joseph's Colleges. One of his team mates was Lakshman Kadirgamar.

His sporting career was not confined to Cricket for he was awarded the Rugby colours too in 1950. The other members of the team were S.S. Bambaradeniya (Captain) C.S. Bambaradeniya, L. Pilamathalawa, K. Rambukwelle, D. Ratwatte, M.S. Panditharatne, S.A.B. Dias (in later years the famous Rugby coach) R.W. Tucker, G. Shamuganathan, G. Tennekoon, J. Weerasekera, H.L. Fernando, U. Wijeratne, and A.J.T. Madugalle. I can recall him representing the College with distinction.

He demonstrated his power in Sinhala oratory by becoming head of the Sinhala Literary Society at the student level. His leadership qualities were recognized even at that age and was made a prefect of the College in 1950. It is said that he was the one who was instrumental in getting Lakshman Kadirgamar to join the team that he was in politics too.

It is not intended to cover the great services he rendered in the legislature of the country and mention is made for the manner he tackled the insurrection of 1971 as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defense (present terms Deputy Minister of Defense). He was a politician who had earned the respect of all concerned. Lakshman was a favourite pupil of my father. He never forgot his School or his teachers. For the last four decades he had been an immense strength to the Principal of the College and on the last occasion I met him too which was about an year ago the talk was only confined to the ways of improving his alma mater. We Trinitians will miss you Lakshman and wish you will attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.