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| Sunday, 1 February 2004 |
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PM says Royal-Thomian oldest continuing major cricket match by A. C. de SILVA
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe proved to be a true sportsman as he, in the middle of some political upheavals, found the time to be the chief guest last morning at his old school - Royal College where a stamp to commemorate the forthcoming 125th Royal-Thomian cricket match was issued. The Royal-Thomian means a big event to all the past and present cricketers of the two schools, and the PM, who never misses watching this match when he is in the country, was a very big participant at the big event at the Royal College hall last morning. Ranil Wickremesinghe, a true Royalist is a great believer in supporting the other side as well and when the two College anthems were played and sung by the crowded school hall, Wickremesinghe was seen singing the Thomian song as well, which gave the occasion the rich flavour. Well done PM! Well done Mr. Prime Minister! You showed the way for others to follow. Your decision to sing the Thomian song brought so much joy to the Thomian supporters present at the Royal College hall on Friday morning. It showed that Royal and S. Thomas', though bitter rivals on the sports field, yet flock together in time of celebration. Speaking on the occasion later, the pm said that the forthcoming 125th Royal-Thomian match is a spectacular event which is the oldest continuing major cricket encounter in the world. There was the Eten vs Harrow match, but that encounter was stopped when World War II broke out, but the Royal-Thomian had an uninterrupted passage and even overcame severe obstacles to bring enjoyment not only to the cricketers of the two teams, but also joy to several thousands of spectators cheering both schools. Sri Lanka are high up on the cricket scene after the triumph of our boys at the World Cup. "We have done it once and this Royal-Thomian is a another match where we can show the world about our capabilities of having big events and keep them going," the PM said further. When the Royal-Thomian is talked about it is quite natural that there is some talk about the famous or infamous nine runs match. "This is a unique match. There has been many arguments and it has been debated but no final decision made. The controversy goes on and it adds to the uncertainties of cricket. The match is more than a cricket match and played in the true spirit of the game." "Cricket is played according to the rules of the game and those who play the game and follow the game help one another in private and public life to forge ahead. Players follow the rules and though some others who do not play cricket don't do so, the ones that play according to the rules will triumph," quipped Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Prime Minister had a word of thanks to Mr. Ashley Walker of Royal and Rev. T.F. Falkner of S. Thomas' who were instrumental in inaugurating this great game between the two schools way back in 1878 and 1879 and thanked the Organising Committee of the two schools for a 'wonderful job done all these years. May the match go on year after year." Professor G.L. Peiris- Minister of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion and Constitutional Affairs who was one of the guests of honour, said that the match must get due recognition as it has reached a milestone. Minister Peiris, an old Thomian, said that both Royal and S. Thomas' have made significant contributions not only in cricket but in the outside world as well and helped in the development of the country. There was the national tragedy with ethnic war breaking out for two whole decades. Now there is somewhat of acute religious discord too emerging and called on all Thomians and others to show spirit and fight the evil forces. Tamils, Burghers, Muslims must live in harmony. There must be team spirit and there must be collective achievements. He said that during his school days education was a voyage of discovery and S. Thomas' did much for the development of the young child. Peiris said that the authorities must communicate what they have in their minds throughout the length and breadth of the country among the schools. Imthiyas Bakeer Markar - Minister of Post and Telecommunication said that though he didn't have a direct connection with the forthcoming match, the issuing of a stamp to mark the 125th Royal-Thomian encounter was the recognition of great deeds done by the two schools in the past which augurs well for the future. David Ponniah - the Warden of S. Thomas' who has the unique record of scoring a century as a fresher for S. Thomas' in 1967, said that it was a great pleasure to see that the match has reached 125 years. He said that much developments has taken place at the school. In lighter vein, Warden Ponniah said that the present Bishop of Colombo was a half Thomian, as after Rev. Duleep de Chickera, studied at Royal but joined the staff of S. Thomas' before being made the Anglican Bishop of Colombo. Royal has produced four Bishops and S. Thomas' is trying hard to have one in the near future. Royal Principal Upali Gunasekera said that to imagine having an unbroken run of 125 years for the Royal-Thomian cricket match was a great feat. Mr. Gunasekera who took office quite recently at head of Royal College, seems to have gone straight into the business of instilling discipline in the school. He said that both Royal and S. Thomas' have produced people of great standing for the development of the nation. It is time for the present students to learn much from their predecessors as these students will ultimately be the leaders of the country in the future. Mr. M. Balasubramaniam - Joint chairman of the Organising Committee of the match proposed the vote of thanks. |
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