Darling we aren't too old, though we pass the Jubilee Gold

The man of the match

She changed his career :
 

by Lakmal Welabada

Swadeshe Poojyathe Raja

Swegramaye Poojyathe Prabhu

Swegruhaye Poojyathe Murkha

Vidvaan Sarvaathra Poojyathe

The king is respected in his country

The elite men are highly respected in his village

The fool is respected at home

The learned is respected everywhere.

Premasara Epasinghe has been well known as a 'Cricket man'.. But a very few might be knowing that he is a well versed bilingual champ of high Sinhala and English.

Cricket...cricket...cricket...however, cricket is his life... Sports is his forte. That was why he claimed he did not even have two seconds to think of girls, or love affairs when he was young....., until he met Swarna...

"I came to cricket very much later in my school days. That was also by accident. I just took part in the Inter-House cricket for 'Chandra House' at Nalanda.

I was in the A/L class then, just 18 years. And I did not have any formal training or experience until then," he reminisces. It was astonishing for all the coaches at Nalanda at that time.

They might have wondered how and where this 'cricketer-prodigy' had been hiding for so many years. But it was only young Premasara who knew how he had been practising cricket since he was a little boy at his residence, all alone by throwing the ball at the wall and batting it when it bounced back.

"At home I was a loner, but energetic, active and naughty. I was very fortunate to get all the comforts from my parents as I was the only child of theirs after four brothers who had not survived even to celebrate their first birthday. I was the only lucky survivor.

However cricket was not glorified then as it was today, so my parents did not have much of an idea about it. But I was very much involved in Tennis ball cricket and Table Tennis throughout," says Premasara, the 'Man of the Match' ever since his birth.

Don Ranoris Epasinghe, non-academic administrator at the University College of Ceylon and Habaragamu Ralalage Podi Nona Peiris, a teacher were Premasara's parents. "My father got quarters at the College House at No.94, Thurstan Road, Colombo.

My mother gave birth to me in that place - on October 5 in 1937. So, I think I was the only person who was born in the premises of the University of Colombo. Hah! Hah!," he laughs.

"Unlike today, Sri Lanka didn't have cricket grounds. The only ground we had was the University grounds which was just opposite our place. So, watching Cricket matches was one of my routines. I might have been doing so since I was a toddler," he laughs.

He might have tried to give Cricket commentary even while crawling. "Sir Don Bradman, the world's best Australian cricketer was my hero.

That made me write a book on him 'Bradman Yugaya' (Bradman's era) later in my life," he recalls. 'Seoul Olympics' and 'The World of Cricket' were the other books published by Premasara.

Zooming back to his school cricket; when his masters recognised his Cricket skills Premasara got the opportunity to play for the first eleven in the Nalanda Team for two years. While things were going on like this, after the Senior School Certificate, Premasara got his first appointment of English teaching at Mahanama College, Kollupitiya, Colombo 3.

"It was founded by my 'Mahappa' (father's elder brother) who was also a Buddhist priest, Ven. Maviththara Sri Revatha Thera. He was a great influence in my life both in mastering the Sinhala literature and Buddhist doctrine.

Mahanama College was started at Valukarama Temple, Kollupitiya. I was very happy to recall how I took the lead to get down the present plot of land and, then to put up the buildings. Even the school motto - 'Vidvaan Sarvathra Poojyathe' (The Learned is respected everywhere) was given by me," he explains.

Premasara passed out as a graduate from the Vidyodaya University (presently known as Sri Jayawardenapura University). Although he had been writing to school magazines on various subjects since he was a kid, by this time only he decided to render his writing forte at national level by contributing to the newspapers; mainly Lake House papers - Sunday Observer, Daily News, 'Silumina' and 'Dinamina'.

"The doors of Lake House was opened both to me and Evans Cooray during Director, Esmond Wickremasinghe's era. Since then I have been freelancing for 'your' papers (the Lake House papers), and the 'Beire Gedara' has been very much linked and bonded with my soul throughout," he smiles.

After teaching in the morning at school Premasara could be seen sprinting along the Lake House corridors after 2.00 pm.. "I covered many rounds, say from the Parliament, the Senate, sports to other functions. I was fortunate to work with Editors like Denzil Pieris (Sunday Observer), Cicil Graham (Daily News), Meemana Premathilaka (Silumina) and Dharmapala Wettasinghe (Dinamina) and B.A. Siriwardana ('Eththa'- Sira)," he reminisces.

By this time young Premasara had stepped into the Radio Ceylon (Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation) as well. He became a relief announcer after undergoing a brief training which laid him the foundation to earn the name of a brilliant compere, announcer and Cricket commentator in all electronic media.

He taught at Sigiriya Maha Vidyalaya for a short spell. Then Premasara was moved to Nalanda College, his own school. Soon he became the Prefect of Games and Master-in-charge of Cricket at Nalanda.

The devoted master is responsible for the fine products who battled even in the international Cricket grounds such as Lalith Kaluperuma, Nandadeva Perera (played for Hong Kong), Daya Sirisena (played for Canada), Bandula Warnapura (first Test Match Captain), Leslie Narangoda, Anura Ranasinghe, Jayantha Seneviratne and Wing Commander Migara Perera of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Minister of Indegenious Medicine, Tissa Karaliyadda, Hemasiri Fernando, former Chairman - Telecom and Thilakasiri Wijegunewardane the Director of Police Technical Branches.

"I am very happy to see them doing very well in life," smiles the maestro with a humble yet virtuous smile. "He is very proud of them as if they are his own children," laughs his wife. "I can boast on my teaching," he butts in. The 'Man of the Match' seems never to let his wicket go.

"Ours was a proposal," after serving a tasty meal with Red Kekulu and village curries Premasara gave a break.

"I was very much engrossed in my studies and sports so that I didn't have time to fall in love. Also Swarna's was the first and last proposal I got," he says. "Well, so was mine. I had a hostel life, which I enjoyed thoroughly, and was quite orthodox when concerned with love affairs.

It was only he who came to see me, and it was the first and last with me as well," she joins with a smile. "That is 'Sansara'. We meet and tie the knots according to the destiny which has moulded through our past Kamma and the wishes we make in the previous births," he explains.

Writer: So, do you believe that you would meet her once again in your next life? Premasara: Of course, Yes! If we'll be born as a human beings I would definitely go in search of her. (he laughs swaying an adorable glance towards Swarna.)

Swarna was born on November 22, 1937 at Udabage, Deraniyagala.Her father, Hetti Kanda Gamlath Ralalage Samararatne was a landed proprietor and her mother was one Miss.Udabage. "I have an elder sister and a younger brother.

I studied at Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda. Ours was a very loving family and we had a very happy childhood," she recalls. Swarna followed the Home Science Diploma conducted by the Buddhist Ladies College and became a home science teacher. She taught at Stafford Ladies College from 1962 to 1977, until she got her two children.

Premasara and Swarna entered wedded life on May 8 in 1969 at Siri Kotha Hall, Colombo. And so, at this point Premasara had to take a firm decision to change his career line. "She is responsible for changing my career," he says.

Premasara became a staff officer at the Bank of Ceylon, and then became a Public Relations Officer. He then became a Marketing Executive at Sampath Bank. Ceylinco Group, Janashakthi, Sumathi Group and the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka were the other places wherehe vent his excellent creative administrative talents into practice.

Premasara has worked as the Press Secretary or the Media Consultant to many Ministers of both the UNP and the SLFP. This 'Man of the Match' seems to have no problem in dealing with any team. His wit and clear voice which has mingled with great creative senses has elated him in many ways.

"Out of all the Ministers I would like to mention about the late Minister Gamini Dissanayake, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and Susil Premajayantha with the highest respect and regard as they are gentlemen of the highest order and integrity. I've enjoyed working with them," he says.

Swarna shows us some beautiful hand embroidered linen. Her intricate needle work could be seen all over their neatly kept residence. "It was she who guided our two children to the top places where they are today.

I was more concerned over their sports. Our son played Cricket for Nalanda and then for S.Thomas, Mount Lavinia. Our daughter played Squash. Both were school level champs," he says.

"Some parents think that sporty children tend to neglect their studies. I won't agree with that as our son is the best example of that. Today he is the Director - Finance at the Australian Taxation (Exercise) in Australia. Our daughter is a banker. Both are doing very well," stresses Swarna.

Let's zoom back to his Cricket. "I was very fortunate in this sense as I have travelled to almost all the countries of Cricket. And I think I was the only commentator in the world to give the commentary of the First Test Match, 100th and 150th Test Matches.

I saw Sri Lanka winning and it was a great achievement. I have seen the very best of Cricket of Sri Lanka," he elates. His powerful voice have won him lots of things. "Once at a Radio discussion a young boy asked me the secret of having the same 'young' voice even at this age of mine, and inquired whether I was doing any voice training. Yes! I do.

Everyday I get up at 4.30 am and recite 'Pirith' and 'Gaathas' including the three main Sutta ('Thun Pirith) for about 45 minutes. I have been continuing this for the past 30 years. I am a strong believer of Buddhist Doctrine, and especially in 'Pirith'... And that was the only voice training I do," he smiles.

"It was my wife who has been behind me, guiding me like a sister, mother and friend. I owe her for all what she did for the upliftment of the family," he says. "He never looses his temper, and sometimes is too gentle. I have seen people taking advantage of his kindness," she points out.

"I have helped many, and rendered my service to the nation wholeheartedly without any reservations. I have been true to myself and that might have been the blessing that has been showered upon me and my family throughout.

Today our son is married and we are proud grandparents of one grandchild," concludes the 'Mana of the Match'....

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