Dr Wicks was a reputed ruggerite
Elmo RODRIGOPULLE
A little known fact about the Chairman of Bank of Ceylon Dr.Gamini
Wickremasinghe is that he was an outstanding ruggerite at Ananda College
and captained the first XV in 1968.
In addition to his prowess with the oval ball, he was also a
promising cricketer and had he not concentrated in reaching the top in
rugby could well have won colours in cricket.
According to some of the Anandians I met, Gamini was a talented pace
bowler and had he stuck to cricket would have ended up sporting cricket
colours and had he continued would have been a fearsome pace bowler.
Leadership
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The 1968 rugby team that Gamini led. (Seated from left) -
K.T.de Silva, Sarath J de Alwis, Nimal Piyasena, Gamini
Wickremasinghe - capt -,Principal E.A.. Perusinghe, Sarath
Ganhewa, Bernard Gunesekera, K.D. Karunanda. (Standing from
left) - Punchihewa, Tissa Gunetilleke, Mohan Sooriyabandara,
Sriyan Ranathunga, Mohan Pandithage, Sarath Chandra, Nimal
Jayatilleke, Tissa Perera, S. Kuruppu, S. Seneviratne,
Sarath Fernando, L Abeysinghe, Lakshman Hewawasam.
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After playing in the second eleven, he quit cricket to play rugby and
his promise was recognized in being made captain of the first XV in
1968.
Early in life he showed leadership qualities and was made senior
prefect.
Gamini was forced to give up sport and concentrate on studies.
He excelled in studies and in 1969 he left for England for higher
studies.
While in England he played a bit of cricket and rugby for clubs
there.
Today Gamini is a leader in many aspects and in 1983 established an
Information Technology Company which is one of the largest IT Companies
in the country.
Gamini was also determined to see that promising youngsters were
afforded with opportunities to obtain degrees in foreign universities.
Established
In 1990 he established an Informatics Institute of Technology in
collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University and thereafter
with University of Westminster Keele University in UK.
He later launched a scholarship scheme known as 'learn while you
earn'. Gamini was Chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri
Lanka, as well as the Chairman of the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka.
Today he is the Chairman of Bankers to the nation - Bank of Ceylon.
Born on Christmas eve, Gamini has not forgotten his school mates,
especially the team mates of 1968 rugby team he led and has arranged to
celebrate his birthday today in a grand manner. We wish Dr. Gamini
Wickremasinghe, a happy birthday and also the best in the future. |
