Ashan Ranasingha - Cricketer of the Year at St.Thomas' College, Matara

by Priyan DE SILVA - Matara Sports Corr.

CRICKET AWARDS: Ashan Dinura Ranasingha was picked as the Cricketer of the Year at the St.Thomas' College, Matara cricket awards ceremony organised by the Old Thomians' Cricket Club, Matara.This was the second year that this awards ceremony was held. The other nominees for the main award were: Nipun Rangana Ranaweera, Jayanga Nirmana de Silva, Ishan Khaniska Abeysekera and W.W.W. Lasith Lakshan.

Deshamanya Najeeb Deen - Chairman and CEO of Deen Brothers Imports (Pvt.) Limited and Secretary of the tour organising committee of Sri Lanka Cricket was the chief guest at the awards ceremony held at Reef Garden Hotel, Polhena Matara. Najeeb Deen presented a cricket bat to the players of the year and agreed to donate Rs. 10,000 per month for the cricket fund of the school. The following were the best performers in their respective age groups in 2010:

For the final round of Player of the Year Award at St. Thomas’ College, Matara. From left: Nipun Rangana Ranaweera, Ashan Dinura Ranasinghe, Lasith Lakshan, Jayanga Nirmana de Silva and Ishan Khanishka Abeysekera.

UNDER 13: Best Batsman: Yasas Ravindu Ransinghe, Best Bowler: Sasindu Nishanka, Best Fielder: M.N.M. Inshad, Best Player: Sithira Samarasingha.

UNDER 15: Best Batsman: M. Nasfan, Best Bowler: Vidath Jayanidu, Best Fielder: K.N. Rusiru Akshaya, Best Player: Lasith Lakshan.

UNDER 17: Best Batsman: Jayanga Nirmana de Silva, Best Bowler: Prashan Manohar, Best Fielder: Hashan Vimarshana, Best Player: Ishan Khanishka Abeysekera.

UNDER 19: Best Batsman: Jayanga Nirmana de Silva, Best Bowler: M.N.M. Ismath, Best Fielder: Ravindu Damsara Uyanabewa, Best Player: Ashan Dinura Ranasingha.