SLC requires stalwarts who personify Sri Lanka's dream

Bandula de Silva - Former Secretary BCCSL

With the AGM of Sri Lanka Cricket only a few days away discussing elections to SLC is highly topical. Being a cricket aficionado from my young days and having played for Nalanda College, the Peradeniya University and Catamarans SC. I was keen on contributing to the game I love. As Director of Small Industries and Vice President of the State Services Cricket Association I was elected as a member of the Tournament Committee in 1975. That stalwart Robert Senanayake was President then. I was elected secretary in 1978/79 and 1979/1980.

(Both times uncontested). That icon Dr N M Perera was the President in 1978/79 and the redoubtable T B Werapitiya in 1979/80. Michael de Zoysa was the Asst. Secretary on both occasions. There was no Board Headquarters then. The Board Hq. was my bungalow at 44 Gregory's Road, Colombo 7. My private telephone was the board telephone. All bills including IDD calls were paid by me.

During those days only those with sufficient license, resources and understood the subtle nuances of the game came forward for BCCSL posts which were normally uncontested and was accepted with a great degree of cordiality, camaraderie and trust.

S S Perera in his “History of the Board of Control for cricket in Sri Lanka” stages at page 44. “Unsung heroes guarantors the officials, not mentioned to date who signed as personal guarantors are Bandula S de Silva (Hony Secretary) Madzas Fazliali (Hony Treasurer) and C N D Perera (former secretary), some booking in glory should remember there.” Thilanga Sumathipala, the than President and Mohan de Silva the then secretary invited me to be founder Editor of the BCCSL magazine “The score” I served the board for 15 years. The ICC rewarded me with the Medal of Honour for my services.

What Sri Lanka cricket requires now are not personality cult pushers but stalwarts who personify Sri Lanka's dream.