Former Nalanda skipper Lincoln Perera dies

Premasara EPASINGHE

One of the most colourful, entertaining former Nalanda cricket captains M.A.L. (Lincoln) Perera, who captained the Nalanda First XI in 1949, passed away yesterday.

His funeral will take place today in Colombo. Lincoln Perera’s body is lying at Jayaratne Funeral Parlour, opposite General Cemetery, Borella.

Lincoln Perera, is the elder brother of N.W.P. Parliamentarian Gamini Jayawickrema Perera.

The Pereras created a record at Nalanda,by three brothers captaining Nalanda, Gamini Jayawickrema Perera captained in 1960, Asoka Perera in 1963. Jayawickrema’s twin brother Parakrama Perera (deceased) played in 1957 Nalanda Champion Team with Jayawickrema. Youngest of them Mahinda (deceased) too played cricket for Nalanda. The contribution to Nalanda cricket by Perera family is enormous.

Lincoln Perera was one of the leading planters in Sri Lanka and he was the first Ceylonese to be appointed to Kandapola Estate, one of the biggest tea plantations in Sri Lanka.

Later, he served as the Chairman of JEDB and a Secretary of the Ministry of Plantation for many years.

Lincoln Perera leaves behind his wife Matilda, sons Ajith and Lal.

His two daughters Hiranthi and Ranjala passed away a few years back.