Dudley Perera - an outstanding athlete of the past

The name of one-time champion of the track - Dudley Perera, will ring in the ears of a host of the past generation of athletes who have 'burnt' up the track to keep the sport alive.

Dudley Perera was at St. Anthony's College, Wattala and also at St. Joseph's College, Colombo.

At the moment, he is a senior non-commissioned officer of Sri Lanka Air Force and a retired Senior Executive of Ceylon Ceramics Corporation.

Track and field was Perera's 'first love' in sports and there are many achievements that will thrill followers of athletics in the country.

He was a champion soccerite when he was at St. Joseph's College where he played for the Josephians in the 'big match' against St. Benedict's and also had a hand in hockey at St. Joseph's.

He also played cricket when he was attached to the Air Force during the years 1956 to 1958.

But, athletics was his 'first love' in sports. He shot into fame early in life and in 1950 when he was at St. Anthony's College, Wattala he created a record for the junior 100 yards clocking 10.9 seconds at the Public Schools Athletic Championships, improving on the record established by Trinitians K. Rambukwella in 1948 and the record of 10.9 seconds stood for 10 years though it was equalled four times before it was ultimately improved on in 1960 by G. H. Amerasinghe of Richmond College, Galle.

Athletics seemed to be in his blood and when he crossed over to St. Joseph's, he won the 200 metres in 23.5 seconds at the Junior National Athletic Championships beating two outstanding athletes - A. Pannambalana of St. Peter's College and Ivan Botejue of St. Anthony's College, Katugastota.

At the Public Schools Meet the same year, he was placed third in both 100 and 200 metres finals. At the Public Schools Meet, the Josephians had a powerful running quartet in the 4x100 metres relay comprising P. Don Victor, Annesley Perera, Chris Pannambalana and Dudley Perera. The Josephians overcame the powerful Thomian team. The same Josephian team won the 4x100 yeards Invitation schools Relay at the National Championships.

Air Force deeds

The deeds of Dudley Perera was recognised by one and all and in 1953 he became the only schoolboy to run in the final of the 200 metres at the National Championships alongside Lavy Pinto of India who won the event. Pinto was an Olympic Games semi-finalist at the 1952 Helsinki Games. Perera was awarded Public Schools Colours and St. Joseph's College Colours.

Joining the Air Force in 1965, he was the Air Force Sprint champions and record holder from 1956 to 1959. In 1956, he was selected to run for the Combined Services at the First-ever Quadrangular Championships. The other teams were Mercantile Services, Government Services and the Rest. This meet was held at the Boosa Cinder track. Dudley ran a close second in the 200 metres which was won by Roy Fernando. The Combined Services won the 4x100 Relay and the Overall Championships. The combined services team comprised S. B. Niyandeniya, V. Attygalle and Weerasekera of the Army and Dudley Perera of the Air Force.

In 1958, he won the 200 metres at the first ever Army, Navy, Air Force and Police Athletic Quadrangular. In the same year, he created a new record at the Negombo District Championships .