Sarath Randeniya to continue coaching young boys in cricket

by Upananda JAYASUNDERA - Kandy Sports Special Corr.

CRICKET: Sarath Randeniya, the Old Rajan Cricketer of 1950s is in Sri Lanka right now on a short holiday from the United Kingdom. After leaving school Sarath played for Saracens Sports Club and also Lake House in the late fifties. During his school days Sarath was a fine allrounder, a stylish right hand batsman and a off-spin bowler. The West Indian cricketer the great Sir Learie Constantine who came to Ceylon (as we were then known) on a coaching stint, picked Sarath Randeniya as the most technically correct batsman in the schools.

Coach Constantine was so impressed with Randeniya's batting that he appointed him as captain of Ceylon Combined Schools team in 1953 that had Tyrell Gauder of S. Thomas' Mt. Lavinia, T. Nirmalingam of Royal, Malcolm Berenger of St. Joseph's and Ramanayake of Trinity.

That same year, Randeniya was involved in a century partnership for the 4th wicket with Chandra de Silva for Dharmaraja in their 'Big Match' with Kingswood. Sarath's contribution was 60 runs and Chandra de Silva scored 158.

After going across to England, Randeniya did not lose interest in the game and got involved in various promotional activities.

He was at one time the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Cricket Association in U.K. and he is also the Founder Secretary of the Sri Lanka Golf Association in U.K. He started helping young cricketers in Sri Lanka in the year 2004 by organizing fund raising campaigns for training underprivileged children in the development of cricket.

The Sri Lanka Cricket Association in U.K. sponsored 3 boys to train at Brendon School of Cricket in Colombo in the year 2004.

In addition to cricket, Randeniya was responsible in raising funds in the same year to provide education for almost 50 unfortunate children whose parents had either died or were disabled at the armed conflict in the North.

He will get back to London later this month to continue his good work by helping the children in Sri Lanka.