Sri Sumangala Wariyapola out to impress

by Hafiz Marikar

Cricket undoubtedly is one of the major sports in the hills , Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College, with long history of over 135 years originated under the name of St. Paul's College , a junior school of Trinity College Kandy.

After laying the foundation stone on February 8 , 1879 , the new school was named St. Paul's English school. It was considered as a boy's school. Later in the late 1980's it was renamed as Wariyapola Sri Sumangala, College.

They first played cricket in 1894 as St. Paul's but due to poor facilities stopped playing the game. After 87 years, in 1981 they started playing cricket again due to the efforts of former Sri Lanka cricketer and Kandy Municipal Council Commissioner late D.H. de Silva who coached them and also groomed some top players.

Their performances have been quite good and consistent . Special mention must be made of coaches like D.D.T. Alwis , Upali Wijesinghe Tudor Gunaratne also helped the school to uplift the game.

Ranjith Colombage , T.M.S. Ekanayake the MIC are the driving force behind cricket. . Supported by the school's Principal M.B.G. Muhandiram Once again, the up and coming young coach Hemantha Wimalawikcrema is handling the coaching aspect.

Wimalawickrema learnt his cricket at St. Sylvester's College, and later played club cricket. Having limited resources , the school is struggling for survival. This school was the only team from Central Province to qualified to play in the SLSCA quarter final in the then Portello Trophy, and did well, though losing to Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, who went on to become champions.

For example, the under 19 cricketer who did duty for the Sri Lanka youth side, Lahiru Kumara learnt his rudiments at junior level under coach Ranjith Colombage and after spotting his talent he was invited to represent Trinity College.

This season Sri Sumangala is led by Mithun Karunartne an astute captain. Chamodha Premartne is his deputy another good cricketer who should contribute well towards the success of the side. Rest of the players are Avishka Pushpakumra, Isuru Kulatunge, Vihanga Weerathunga, Viraj Wickremasinghe, Eranga Wijasiri, Hiran Weerasinghe, Sandakan Eakanyake, Suneth Peries, Umega Silva, Miraj Rajapakse, Lahiru Bandara, Niomal Gunawardene, Chathura Jayarthne, Gandiu Samaraweera.