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| Sunday, 4 January 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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IGP Indra de Silva - a great promoter of basketball by LESLIE FERNANDO Indra de Silva, the newly appointed Inspector General of Police is a great promoter of basketball and he has a great liking for the game. Indra is popularly known in the Police service and sports circles and hails from the South. He was educated at Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda. He was also the Chairman Police basketball section. Indra, though short in height proved to the College that basketball can be played even by short people. He represented Dharmasoka College and Old Sokians in basketball. After entering University of Colombo and also going over to University of Peradeniya to obtain the Bachelor of Arts (Geography Special), played for the universities and then for Old Varsity team. During his stay in Kandy, he played for YMCA Kandy and Central Province with T. S. Randiligama, Dhammika Gunaratne. He also played with Janaka Ruwanpura, Gamini Karunaratne, Asoka Gunaratne, Rear Admiral Sunderam, Dr. Pathmanathan, Gamini de Alwis, Dharmasiri Alwis and 'Boam' Perera. Indra was the only player from the South who was selected to attend the coaching camp conducted by the American Springfield in 1964. He played against American Peace Corp team and Richmond College, Galle. Having joined Sri Lanka Police Service as District Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1971, he took a keen interest to promote and develop this game in the Police Service. He was selected as Hony. Secretary of the Police basketball in 1980. As Police had to re-organise the team to be more aggressive, Indra was selected as the Chairman of Police Basketball in 1992/1993. He had a special word for the former IGP Lucky Kodituwakku for the unstinted co-operation and encouragement given to Police basketball. There were recruitment for new players for basketball after nearly 15 years. Basketball is one of the most popular games in the Police Service and they have been winning all the major tournaments upto the year 2001. The new IGP, Indra de Silva said that sports is most important to form a healthy society, it is vital for the formation of good understanding community and very useful for a friendly family and broadens the minds of people. He assured that all encouragement would be given to sports. "Those days I remember all Police Stations throughout the country had volleyball courts and the policemen, after their duties, got involved in this game. So, I think all policemen should get involved in sports activities after duty hours," the police chief added. It was on the sports field that IGP Indra met his life partner Vasantha - a sharp shooter in netball and settled in life. They have three daughters and a son-all have excelled in various sports. Eldest daughter Sonali represented St. Bridget's Convent in basketball, tennis and athletics while the second daughter Mahesha played basketball and did athletics for the same convent. Lakmini, the third daughter played basketball and tennis for the convent. The only son Chathura was a member of the Royal College rowing team. |
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