They paved way for gaining Test status

Premasara Epasinghe

The reputed sports journalist Elmo Rodrigopulle in his Daily News column 'Comment' dated Tuesday, February 26, 2013 titled "Canvassing on for Presidency of Sri Lanka cricket," paid glowing tributes to Gamini Dissanayake, Raja Mahendran and Daham Wimalasena for the roles they played in promoting cricket in Sri Lanka.

I congratulate Elmo Rodrigopulle and totally endorse his sentiments.

The brilliant oratory at the "Epi centre of Cricket" - Lords, made by charming, charismatic leader and the spade work done behind the scenes by Raja Mahendran helped Sri Lanka to gain Test status. If not for GD, I presume, we would not have gained Test status.

He appointed dedicated committed men like Abu Fuard, Nisal Senaratne, Neil Perera, Bandula de Silva and a fine set of men of honesty and integrity to handle the game.

Although, Gamini Dissanayake was a powerful Minister in the UNP Government, he never mixed politics and cricket. A fine example, was a son of a SLFP strong man, M.P. Reggie Ranatunga, Arjuna played in the first official test of Sri Lanka against England in 1982.

GD was a brave leader, strict disciplinarian. He punished the cricketers who played cricket in "Apartheid South Africa" led by Warnapura.

In his column, Elmo Rodrigopulle suggested "whoever, the President taking the hot seat (after the AGM 30/3/2013) must have "Dissanayake as His Patron Saint" and a moment of silence should be observed in Gamini Dissanayake's name in memory, before the AGM.

Grateful ones, should remember this "Yugapurusha" Man of the Era Gamini Dissanayake. The good name of Gamini Dissanayake will be remembered till cricket is played in Sri Lanka.