Gurukula – Sri Dharmaloka clash in Kelaniya’s Big Match

It could be anybody's game when Gurukula College, Kelaniya take on Sri Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya in their 25th big match on March 27 and 28 at R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo. The 22nd one-day encounter will be played on April 7 at the same venue.

Gurukula College, Kelaniya 1st XI Cricket Squad – 2013 Seated (from left): Rasitha Dinesh (Asst.coach), A A Nalin Perera (Captain), Mrs A P L W Gunawardhane (Deputy Principal), J A Anil Geetha Lal Abeygunawardhana (Principal), K H Mahinda (Deputy Principal), Hashan Dumindu (Vice Captain), Lal Senarathna (Coach). Standing (from left): Lisula Lakshan, Tharindu Tharaka, Anjana Nimnath, Cristy Ashan, Chanaka Dilshan, Kasun Jayasanka, Roshan Anuruddha, Namal Pathum, Kasun Madusanka, Nipul Maduka, Janith Pramod, Lahiru Chamara, Shashen Dilranga, Shehan Lakshitha. Picture by Edward Weerasinghe (Kelaniya Group Correspondent)

Sri Dharmaloka Kelaniya cricket team Seated (from left) Sulaj Gayashan, Sudath Nanayakkara (coach) Janith Madushan (Captain) Ven Napagoda Sumanatissa thera (Vice Principal) Col A P Nimal Jayaweera (Principal), P V S K Ajith (Deputy Principal) Prabud Harshitha (Vice Captain), S Rankoth Teacher-in-charge of the Team), Gayana Geethanjana, Nishantha De Alwis (Teacher in charge of cricket). Second row-(standing from left) Suhanga Dinidu, Ravin Kaviska, Lakshitha Dananjaya Warnasuriya, Tharindu Madushanka, C Kaniska, Malka Madushanka, Heshara Nuwan, Ravindu Thiwanka. Third row standing (from left) Kusal Ashan, Lahiru Rajapaksa, Erusha Ramanayake, Madhumadawa Anurudha, Shan Fedrick Oshan Vihanga. (Picture by Edward Weerasinghe, Kelaniya Group Correspondent)

So far the big matches have all ended in draws, in one day series the two schools have played 21 matches of which Sri Dharmaloka College won 11 matches and Gurukula College nine while one ended in a drawn.

This big match is known as the Battle of Kelaniya and this is the only big match in the Gampaha District (Siyane Korale). However, unfortunately there were no sponsors for this annual big event. The organizers are still looking for a sponsor Col A P Nimal Jayaweera, Principal Sri Dharmaloka College and Anil Geethalal Abeygunawardena, Principal, Gurukula College said.

Over the past few years the cricket at Gurukula College, and Sri Dharmaloka College principals said that School teachers in both schools, Cricket coaches and masters in charge of cricket in both schools, old boys, parents as well as the students have contributed much toward, keeping this traditional annual cricketing event alive.

Gurukula College has played 13 matches in this season won three and drawn 10 matches. Carey College match drawn, Moratu Vidyalaya match drawn, Raddoluwa Maha Vidyalaya match drawn, St Joseph Vaz College match drawn and President College, Rajagiriya - Gurukula won by 110 runs.

Tournament matches:

Mahanama College, Colombo match drawn, Trinity College, Kandy match drawn, Mahinda College, Galle match drawn, Sumangala College Panadura – Gurukula won by an inning and 122 runs. Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa match drawn, Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya match drawn, Zahira College, Colombo – Gurukula won by 10 wkts. Maris Stella College, Negombo match drawn.

Gurukula is led by that brilliant 3rd year Coloursman A L Nalin Perera, right arm fast bowler and middle order batsman. He scored 500 runs with 5 half centuries. He captured 36 wickets in this season. Played for the Gampaha District under 19 team last year.

Vice captain is 4th year coloursman Hashan Dumindu. Right hand batsman with a good technique and very good right arm off spinner. He scored over 800 runs. He captures 27 wickets. Played for under 19 inter-provincial and inter district tournament last year. He was selected to the under 17 team to India in 2012. Selected for under 19 Sri Lanka cricket team this year.

Roshan Anuruddha: 4th year coloursman. Right arm fast bowler and right hand middle order batsman. He is member of under 19 cricket squad in Sri Lanka under 17 tour to India in 2012. He also toured Sri Lanka under 15 tour to Malaysia in 2010.

Lisula Lakshan: 3rd year coloursman. Wicket keeper of the side opening batsman. He also played for district and provincial tournament this year. He had 42 victims behind the stumps. He scored over 700 runs in this season. He scored 2 centuries in this season.

Kasum Madusanka: 3rd year coloursman. Good fielder and middle order batsman. He scored over 400 runs in this season.

Namal Pathum: 3rd year coloursman. Good all rounder. Right arm leg spinner. He captured 36 wickets and he scored 100 against Sri Sumangala College, Panadura. He has scored over 400 runs this year.

Rest of the pool

Shashen Dilranga, Janith Pramod Wijesooriya, Lahiru Madushan Wickremasinghe, Lahiru Chamara Weerasekara, Anjana Nimnath Illangarathna, Jayamal Wanniarachchi, Dumindu Themiya Sudara, Tharindu Tharaka de Silva, Shehan Lakshitha Wickremasinghe, Kasun Jayasanka, Nipul Maduka Fernando, Cristy Ashan Kekunagodaarachchie, Damitha Hasith Jayaratne, Chanaka Dilshan.

Sri Dharmoloka College, Kelaniya school cricket has a long history of 30 years under the guidance of Principal Colonel A G Nimal Jayaweera school is developed gradually not only from curricular activities but also from extra curricular activities, last decade was full of victories.

In 2002 under 15 division IV tournament school team selected to semi-finals and the school won the championship in 2003 won the Gampaha District Championship (Under 16). In 2005 Runners up under 17 division III. Under 17 team promoted to division II. Under 17 division II 2007 selected to semi final round. Under 13 selected to 3rd round in 2008. Under 15 division II selected to quarter final in 2008. Sirasa – 20 tournament 2008 Rasmika Perera, a player of Sri Dharmaloka selected as the vice captain of Western Province Gladiator team.

Madushanka Pasindu selected to the team. Rashmika Perera selected to Sri Lanka Pool of Spinners in 2008.

In the Ran Kekulu Trophy organized by Bank of Ceylon under 13 division II selected to pre quarter in 2009. Provincial Tournament succeeded quarter in 2009. Provincial Tournament succeeded in quarter final. Under 15 division II became semi finalists 2009. Ran Kekulu Trophy of Bank of Ceylon under 13 Division II quarter final. Provincial Tournament also quarter final 2010.

Sri Dhrmaloka Team is led by Janith Madushan 4th year coloursman. Right hand batsman Fast bowler scored 621. In this season he won one century and 3 half centuries.

Dulap Gayashan: 4th year coloursman scored 783 runs. Obtained 11 wickets. Brilliant right hand cricketer. Scored one century and three half centuries.

Prabudh Harshitha, Vice Captain: 5th year coloursman Right arm fast bowler. Scored 582 runs one century, one half century and 10 wickets.

Gayan Geethanjana: 5th year coloursman all rounder scored 402 one half century with 21 wickets.

Rest of the pool – Janaka Pathum, Malka Madushanka, Tharindu Madushanka, Ravindu Thiwanka, Aravinda Warnasuriya, Lakshitha Dhananjaya, Chulan Kaniska, Kusal Ashean, Shen Fredick, Lahiru Rajapaksa, Madusadawa Anuruddha, Erusha Ramanayaka, Suhanda Dinidu, Ravin Kaviska, Oshan Vihanga and Roshan Dhananjaya.