Dharmaloka and Gurukula longing for a win

by Edward Weerasinghe - Kelaniya Group Corr.

Gurukula College - Standing (from left): Shehan Lakthitha, Gayan Sankalpa, Nalin Perera, Chamod Sulakshana, Dulaj Madusanka, Rasika Koththagoda, Thusara Lakshitha, Roshan Anuruddha, Namal Pethum, Dushan Danushka, Kasun Udara, Sameera Jayasekera, Madushan Chaturanga, Nilendra Prabath, Gayan Buddhika. Seated (from left): Rasitha Dinesh (Asst. Coach), Sheshan Niwanka (Captain), C. P. Premadasa (Deputy Principal). Anil Geethalal Abeygunawardhana (Principal), W. A. D. N. Anuruddha (Master-in-charge), Rukshana Bandara (Vice-Captain), Lal Senarathna (Coach). Pictures by Edward Weerasinghe - Kelaniya group corr.

Sri Dharmaloka College - standing (from left): Janith Madhushan, Gayana Geethanjana, Shan Iresh, Manuka Salinda, Janaka Pathum, Chathura Madhushanka, Asitha Priyadarshana, Prabud Harsitha, Pradeep Samath, Gayantha Anjana, Suminda Roshan, Sapumal Bandara, Asanka Madushan, Sulaj Gayashan, Thilina Pushpitha. Seated (from left): E. D. A. K. Wickremasinghe (Senior Master of Cricket), Nishantha de Alwis (Junior Master of Cricket), Iranga Krishan (Captain), Rev. Napagoda Sumanathissa There (Deputy Principal), A. G. Nimal Jayaweera (Principal), P. V. S. K. Ajith (Deputy Principal), Nilanka Subodha, Udaya Pessa (Coach) Chathura Lakmina.

CRICKET: Oh for a win! This will be the desire of both Sri Dharmaloka MMV and Kelaniya Gurukula Vidyalaya when they play their 22nd annual ‘Battle of Kelaniya’ cricket encounter at the P. Sara Oval on March 23 and 24. The one-day encounter will be at the same venue on March 28.

Though 21 encounters have been played in the series, none of them have brought out a win. In the limited-over series, however, in the 18 encounters that have been played, Sri Dharmaloka are in the lead with 10 wins to Gurukula’s seven and one match was drawn.

While almost all the annual encounters are sponsored by various commercial establishments, this match goes without a sponsor and it has been somewhat of a drawback for the cricketers.

Dharmaloka team will be captained by Iranga Krishan and Gurukula will be led by Sheshan Niwanka.

The Principal of Sri Dharmaloka MMV A. G. Nimal Jayaweera has played a vital role by giving all the necessary facilities to the team with the able assistance of master-in-charge A. K. Wickremasinghe and coach Udaya Perera.

Gurukula Principal Anil Geethalal Abeygunawardena has done a lot to raise the standard of the game at school, assisted by W. A. D. N. Anuruddha - the master-in-charge assisted by coaches Lal Senaratne and Rasitha Dinesh.

This season, Sri Dharmaloka have played nine matches and won four on first innings and have got one outright win over St. Xavier’s College, Marawila.

Gurukula too have played nine matches and won two outright - against Vidyartha and Rahula College, Kandy and won five matches on the first innings.