Thilan and Marvan also won main award

THilan Samaraweera 10th Anandian to represent Sri Lanka in Test cricket. Twice winner of the Observer schoolboy cricketer of the year award in 1994 and 1995.

Thilan Samaraweera of Ananda College won the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year title in 1994 and 1995.

Marvan Atapattu of Ananda College won the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in 1990.

Then Marvan Atapattu, a former Sri Lanka skipper, won the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the year award in 1990. Captain of Ananda in 1989.

When Thilan won the main award on both occasions he also won the Best Batsman and Best Allrounder's awards. Thilan said that he owes his climb to the top in cricket due to this popular contest which gave him all the encouragement. He endorsed this long standing contest as the best for schoolboy cricketers.

Thilan Thusara Samaraweera was of the view that Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest proved to be one of the best in the country. "I'm indeed happy that this contest has continued for over 30 years and my wish is that it goes on for at least another 30 years."

THilan also said that cricketers from lesser known schools like Ginigathena MV, Poramadulla MV, Kalutara MV, Revatha MV, Royal Horana, Sri Rahula, Alawwa to name a few are now playing competitive cricket due to the interest shown in the contest. Born on September 22nd in 1976, Thilan took a liking for the game of cricket from his young days and his devotion to the game brought him rich rewards.

It was a success story all the way from hsi early days at Ananda and he never looked back and his perseverance brought him rich rewards. His success at school level has takenhim to the Sri Lankak team and he is doing well there too.

There is another cricketer from Ananda who has been honoured by the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest that is former Sri Lanka Captain Marvan Atapattu. He was picked Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in 1990 and he was also picked as the Best Batsman that year.

Marvan complimented the ANCL and Observer for keeping the show going for all these years. Schoolboy cricketers should be encouraged on larger scale.

This contest is sure to identify the talent and the high performances. Atapattu was confident that the up-and-coming schoolboy cricketers follow the same example set by those who won top awards at the contest. Marvan was the captain of the 1989 Ananda side.

His elegant stroke-play was a treat to watch. He was a permanent figure in the Sri Lanka team. He captained Sri Lnaka from 2003 for many years. Atapattu added tht Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest has brought out rich talent and about 90 percent of Sri Lanka cricket team has won awards in this contest.

Marvan further said that the game of cricket, is not confined to the popular schools, the game has spread throughout Sri Lanka and cricketers from the far-fecthced schools are taking a great interest with a show like the Observer SLT Motibel encouraging them along.