Dhanusha Perera awarded golf scholarship

Richard Dwight

The Sri Lanka Golf Union (SLGU) does appear to be moving in the right direction in the development and promotion of golf. Their objective in this cause, is to concentrate on quite a few youngsters, who are talented golfers with much promise – but unfortunately these youngsters, lacked the financial resources to sustain themselves in playing a sport, such as golf.

Fully conscious of this the SLGU was keen on at least helping an aspiring underprivileged young golfer. Tangible effect to this end was taken, when last Friday at the RCGC amidst the secretary of the SLGU, Ana Punchchihewa, the vice captain of RCGC, Priath Fernando, and the media, an elaborate scholarship package for 2012 was awarded to 20 years old, Dhanusha Perera, by a generous donor in, Dilhan De Silva.

Punchchihewa, said it was the young of humble origin in Nandasena, Anura Rohana, Lalith Kumara, Mithun, Prabhagaran, Thangarajah and yet others, who were allowed to play and, sufficiently mature to be domestic champions, as well as acquitting themselves creditably abroad too. Punchchihewa, was thankful to Dilhan de Silva and his brother, Harin in the States, who were responsible for this scholarship and the likelihood with yet others to follow.

He added that the Golfing De Silva family, was committed to support the poor and needy, and that the late father, Douglas De Silva's, wish was that the son's award this scholarship – incidentally their grandfather, Timothy De Silva, was the first Ceylonese to win the all Ceylon amateur golf champions in 1923, prior to this it was dominated by the Europeans.

Priath Fernando, who apart from being vice captain of the RCGC, is also the chairman of the national selectors and a member of the scholarship committee.

Priath said the panel for selection had to follow certain criteria and, those in contention were reduced to 3 vis, R. Sureshan, Dhanusha Perera and Roshana Prasad. Dhanusha Perera the former student of Susmawardena Vidyalya Borella, won the Timothy De Silva trophy for being the most promising golfer for the year 2011. This as well stood him in good stead to be awarded the scholarship for the year 2012.