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| Sunday, 20 July 2003 |
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Friends salute versatile ruggerite 'Baila' Samarasinghe Thomian sportsmen, especially ruggerites, rugby fans and school authorities bade a sad farewell on Friday to one of their great supporters - Nihal 'Baila' Samarasinghe whose untimely death had cast somewhat of a gloom over them. 'Baila' as he was affectionately known from his school days at S. Thomas' Mount Lavinia, was a loveable character during his schooldays. Hailing from Matara, he had to be in the boarding at S. Thomas' and the boarding life brought the best out of him, as he found the time to indulge in many sports. He played 'Fives', hockey and it was in rugby football that he performed best at school and thereafter for various clubs. The first named sport - "Fives" was confined to inter-house competitions, but hockey he played for the school and was quite a forceful player. But rugby football turned out to be his pet sport and he went on to captain S. Thomas' and after leaving school, he played for K.V., Uva, Dimbula and Combined Up-Country. He had two brothers - Mohan and Rajpal who also played for S. Thomas'. And what must surely have pleased 'Baila' would have been to see his son Niroshan play for S. Thomas' in 1995. 'Baila' Samarasinghe played as a fly-half and his quick swerves and jinxing runs was a treat to watch during his schooldays and his playing days at club level. He was really a dedicated Thomian sportsman and even after leaving S. Thomas', he took an active interest playing for various clubs and when his playing days were over, he thought of the future of rugby football for the boys who may not be able to play for the bigger clubs. So, he was instrumental in forming the Old Thomians Rugby Football Club so that the young players can go in there and pursue the game of rugby football. Nihal 'Baila' Samarasinghe has left us, but the fine ideals that he practised will be something that will be remembered by all his friends. And his friends did not forget him at his final journey on Friday! They were there at S. Thomas' College Chapel. Mount Lavinia and a vast gathering was also present at General Cemetery, Kanatte where the service was conducted by the Bishop of Colombo - Rev. Duleep de Chickera a rugby fan and one-time rugby coach of S. Thomas' juniors. The Board of Governors of the School too were present at the funeral. 'Baila' leaves behind daughter Dinusha and son Niroshan, son-in-law Nirmal, and nine brothers and sisters - Noaomi, Mohan, Shanti, Kamini, Nuala, Dilruha, Tara, Rajpal and Ranil. His parents Sepala and Binkie Samarasinghe pre-deceased him. (A.C. de S) |
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