Former long distance runner K B L Perera dies

Upananda JAYASUNDARA - Kandy Sports Special Corr

K B L Perera, former Sri Lanka long distance runner in the fifties passed away yesterday after a brief illness.

He was 10,000 and 5000 metres winner for six consecutive years from 1949 to 1954. He won the Wilton Bastleef cup for the most outstanding athletes as the first schoolboy while at Berrawarts college, Ampitiya.

His earlier education was at St Anthony’s Katugastota where he excelled in Football, Volleyball, Hockey and Athletics. From St Anthonys’ he went to Bereverts, Ampitiya to improve his long distance running and he ran together with, Somapala Batepole, P W C A de Silva to name a few. His funeral will be held at Penideniya Cemetery on October 9. (Sunday)