Cricket performance centre for Mahinda

Sampath BANDARA

The ceremonial opening of the Major G W S de Silva cricket performance centre will take place on October 25 at 8.30 am at Mahinda College, grounds Galle.

The Cricket Foundation of Mahinda College, Galle (CFMC) built this facility within a very short span of time which began in June this year.

The inauguration of the fully-fledged facility would mark major step forward for college cricket and for Galle, the southern capital of Sri Lanka.

Named after the legendary coach and cricket administrator of southern Sri Lanka late Major G W S de Silva, the centre is much more than just a training centre for the college players, as it provides an all-year-round facility to benefit and select the most talented cricketers and develop them through excellent coaching and support services in modern facilities to achieve their talents. Thus the Cricket Foundation of Mahinda College, Galle aims to produce gentlemen with cricketers who play for college and the country. This facility will also provide training and practicing base for all schools and other cricket playing enthusiasts in and around Galle.

Mahinda College, Galle was established in 1892. Cricket originated at Mahinda in early last century with the first big match against Richmond College played in 1905.

Mahinda College has produced many outstanding cricketers in its long history. Cricketers of the calibre of Jayananda Warnaweera, Athula Samarasekera Marvan Atapattu, Upul Chandana and Lasith Malinga have all represented Sri Lanka in Tests and ODI'S with distinction while D L S de Silva represented Sri Lanka World Cup team in 1979 before his untimely demise. There have also been many who have represented Sri Lanka (Ceylon) in Pre-Test era, D H de Silva, D P de Silva, Neil de Silva represented the country. They also produced several top cricketers of the calibre of Gajaba Pitigala. Upul Sumathipala, A J Samarasekera and in recent years Kaushalya Gajasinghe and Romesh Buddhika.

Cricket Foundation of Mahinda College, Galle (CFMC) was established in the year 2011 by a group of prominent past cricketers with the aim of promoting and developing school to a higher standard by providing better facilities and opportunities to college cricketers.

Mahinda College considers Major G W S de Silva era of cricket as its "Golden era' reason being from early 70s up to the end of the decade when he was in-charge of its cricket Mahind produced outstanding teams as well as individuals on a regular basis. The college won many awards as the best outstation team and best team in the southern province in addition to many players wining individual awards.