Athletes who illuminated the school scene in early days

By Dudley Perera

ATHLETICS: The Public Schools Athletic Championship for the 'Tarbat Trophy' commenced in 1930. In the early days, there were several outstanding performances by some athletes in Colombo as well as outstation schools.

In 1938, Patrick Perera of St. Peter's College clocked 10.3 seconds for the 100 yards. This was a record which stood for over - 20 years.

In 1948, L. I. Dep, now Rev. Fr. Lucien Dep of St. Joseph's College, had 11' 6 1/2" in the Pole Vault event to create a new Public Schools Record. This record stood for nearly 20 years. Late Felix Samarawickrema also of St. Joseph's College ran the 440 yards in 51.8 seconds in 1947. This was a new record.

In 1949, Ephrem Fernando of St. Joseph's College clocked 23.1 seconds for the 220 yards which was a new record. He won the 100 yards as well in 10.4 seconds. In 1956, T. D. S. A. Dissanayake of Royal College created a new record for the Shot Putt - 43'. In 1955, D. Attanagoda of Ananda College had 46.1 to create a new record in the Hop, Step and Jump. In the year 1951, Nalin Samarasekera of S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia won the 220 yards and the 440 yards at the Public Schools' Meet which were excellent performance. In 1950, R. Ariyanayagam of St. Michael's College, Batticaloa, won the 100 yards beating a much fancied runner, J. de Silva of Royal College. The timing was 10.5 seconds.

In 1954, W. D. M. Abeysekera of Royal College created a new record for the Long Jump Juniors - 19' 6 1/2". In 1951, N. Ethiriweerasingham of Jaffna Central College jumped 6 ft 4 inches in the High Jump event. This was a record. He went on to represent Ceylon at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games subsequently.

The late, Lakshman Kadiragama of Trinity College, Kandy, won the 120 yards Hurdles in 1949. C. N. Panabokke also of Trinity clocked 24.9 seconds in the Junior 220 yards which was a record in 1947 K. Rambukkwella also of Trinity in 1948 clocked 11 seconds in the 100 yards for Juniors which was a new record. Vernon Boteju also of Trinity College, Kandy, created a new record for the 440 yards by clocking 51.5 seconds. Dharmasiri Madugalle of Trinity College won the 120 yards Hurdles in 1957.

Royal College, Colombo produced athletes of the calibre of late Lalith Athulatmudali in hurdles and N. A. Weeratunge, former Secretary to former President J. R. Jayewardene created a new record in the Long Jump in 1957.

P. Don Victor of St. Joseph's College created a new record for the Long Jump in 1953. He also represented Ceylon in the Commonwealth Games in 1958. In 1952, Hugh Jayawardena of St. Joseph's College created a new record for the Javelin Throw.

Ampitiya College, Kandy, produced the best long distance runners in the calibre of V. C. D. Batepola, A. S. Somapala and M. Vincent.

St. John's College, Jaffna produced athletes like G. G. Gnanasekera - 880 yards and V. Kanaganayagam - 100 yards. They returned very good timings in their events. There was an athlete from Batticaloa T. Kiruparajah who excelled in 440 yards.

In those early days, there were excellent coaches like late Anthony Abeysinghe of St. Joseph's College, Brookie D'Silva of S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia. Tommy Arthur of Ampitiya College, Kandy Jackie Van Twest of St. Anthony's College, Kandy, Rev. Fr. Harold Weber of St. Michael's College, Batticaloa, Rev. Bro. Patrick of St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa and St. Anthony's College, Wattala. The above list of names are some of the top coaches who did well to group the athletes. Some of the coaches have gone to their eternal rest and they deserve a big 'thank you' from one and all for all what they did to uplift of sport.

Finally, I would like to add a small note to the effect that I was also an athlete from 1950 to 1960 representing St. Joseph's College and a Public Schools Coloursman.