Former cricketer Nihal Peiris dies

Dilwin Mendis- Moratuwa Sports Correspondent

Nihal Peiris is no more. He died after a brief illness at the age of 71. Nihal was a very fine all-round sportsman during his hey day. He had his entire education at Methodist High School, Moratumulla, Moratuwa and excelled in cricket and athletics. His forte was cricket During our youth we used to play softball cricket in our village, Molpe.

He was a good All-rounder who captained the school under 14, 16 and under 19 cricket teams. He played for the school first eleven team and won colours and his last year in 1961/62 he captained the school team. He was a accurate medium pace bowler who opened the attack and a middle order batsman. He was in the cricket pool of the then National Schools Cricket Association which made few tours to Australia.

In athletics he was the College Juvenile, Junior and Senior Champion and went on to represent the Western Group meets and Public Schools meets.

After leaving school he joined the tutorial staff of St Thomas College Guruthalawa and he was the Master-in-Charge of Cricket and cum coach. Also he played for Badulla Sports Club in Division Three cricket tournament organized by Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka. During the latter stages he joined the staff of St Thomas Prep School Colpetty and became the vice principal. There too he was Master in Charge for Cricket and coached the young Thomians.

When he returned to Moratuwa he helped me when I was coaching cricket at his alma-mater. He donated cricket gear to his school and closely associated with the then principal Hemachandra Perera who was an old boy to uplift the standard of cricket at school.

He was a devout Methodist and his sudden demise is a irreparable loss not only to his family but to all who knew him. He closely associated with me from his young days. He leaves his loving wife Ayomi, daughter Nayomi, son-in-law Kusal and grand daughter baby Thishaine. His funeral took place at Methodist Church cemetery, Moratumulla in the midst of a distinguished large gathering.

"May the turf lie lightly on my cricketing friend."