Ashley de Silva New SLC CEO

Premasara Epasinghe

Ashley De-Silva

The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka cricket is Ashley de Silva. He was a former Josephian, Tamil Union, CCC and Sri Lanka cricketer. He was a fine wicket-keeper, batsman who played in four tests and four ODIs. In first class cricket, during 1984/85, 1995/96, he played in 61 matches, in 89 innings, remained unbeaten 11 times and scored 2336 runs. His highest score - 186 runs. In the first class cricket, he held 121 catches, and 16 stumps. In one-day format, Ashely accounted for 16 catches and 6 stumps.

Ashley de Silva, this unassuming gentleman par-excellence, hung his boots, and joined Sri Lanka cricket. Number of times, he performed duties as a Cricket Manager. He was a fine cricket administrator who possessed a lovable and charismatic personality. After leaving St Joseph's College Maradana, he joined Ceylon Tobacco. Later, he served as Central Manager, Business sales at Suntel. Ashely hails from a highly respectable, distinguished family from Colombo. His father Astor de Silva, a thorough gentleman, was a fine "Ambidextrous Tennis Player", with whom I have played at NCC courts. Ash ley's beloved mother is Maureen de Silva. They were blessed with five lovable sons.

Ashley was born on December 3, 1963. As a devout Catholic, the parents named this child Ashley Mathew de Silva.

Saint Mathew was an Apostal, probably. One of the four Evangalists of the new testament - missionary out and empowered by divine authority to preach the gospel and heel sick. He is known as an Apostal. Jesus commissioned his 12 original disciples to carry out the purpose of God for Man's salvation (Mark 3, Mathew 10, Luke 6).

He was fortunate to be educated at one of the "crest-jewels of Catholic Education," St Joseph's College, Colombo 10. He played for SJC from 1978-82 and was one of the most outstanding keeper-batsmen who scored 8 centuries. His brother Roshan de Silva too played with him for college.

Ashley is married to Michalle. They are blessed with a son - Amesh and a daughter Sharleen.

As a former member of the interim committee, I congratulate Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in appointing a fine gentleman administrator, Ashley de Silva as the Chief Executive Officer of SLC. As the Head of Cricket operations, too Ashley did a marvellous job. He replaces another gentleman that brilliant CEO - Air Commodore Ajit Jayasekera. They are men of class.