‘Walking record book’ S.S. Perera dies

A son of a Royalist who excelled in cricket way back in 1900s Somachandra Saranapala Perera, popularly know as Chandra who died yesterday had a cherished history at Royal College too.

Born to a family with rich cultural heritage Chandra joined Royal College in 1932. Having played a match or two for Royal in 1942 he started his life long career in keeping records under Gamini Salgado.

In 1939 he won the Sir James Peiris Memorial Prize (Junior) for English Essay. In 1956 he became a member of the Royal College Union.

Chandra was a planter by profession. From 1966 to 1981, 21 official souvenirs were complied by him for the board of control for cricket in Sri Lanka.

He was acclaimed for his rare collection of records in Royal cricket. In 1972 a Cricket book styled’ Four Score and Ten”, A History of the Royal - Thomian Cricket match (1879-1969) was published by S S Perera.

In 1982 Perera was appointed as the official recorder of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka. Up to 2002, Royal College and the RCU also had to depend on S S Perera for most of their publications. From 1979 to 1997 S S Perera was the editor for the under mentioned publications.

1. A History of a Hundred Years of the Royal- Thomian Cricket Match.
2. Royal College Cadet Contingent- A 100 years,
3. Rugby Centenary-Royal Vs Trinity 100th match.(1983)
4. A 150 years History of Royal College (1835 to 1985).
5. Royal College Vs Trinity College-Centenary Cricket Match at Asgiriya.
6. Royal College Vs Wesley College-Centenary Cricket match in 1993.
7. 50th Bradby Shield Rugby match-Royal College Vs Trinity College in 1994.

Other than these publications a souvenir for the inaugural Royal- S Thomas’ Basketball match-2003(D S Senanayake Trophy) and a brief history of Swimming at Royal College (1945 to 2002) wee published by him. In addition to the book “Four Score and Ten” there were two other private publications.

Achievement of the Royal College rugby team (2001
A brief history of 48 years of basketball at Royal College (1955 to 2003)

Moreover he did research work and complied 23 other souvenirs and books for various other Clubs, societies, Institutions from 1968 to 1997. of these the best book was the Janashakthi Book of Sri Lanka Cricket (165 years of cricket in Sri Lanka.) The Royal College Union appointed him as a vice president of the RCU in 1997 for the many contributions made to Royal College. “ He was known as the Walking Record Book of Sri Lanka”. His funeral will take place today at the General Cemetery Borella at 7.00 p.m.