Sri Lanka gained Test status in cricket due to late Gamini Dissanayake

By Premasara EPASINGHE

The 14th Death Anniversary of late Gamini Dissanayake will be held at the site of the statue of this great leader, in Kadadora, Kotmale on 19th October 2008 at 10.00 a.m., under the distinguished patronage of Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Governor, Central Province, Karu Jayasuriya, Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs, Maithripala Sirisena, Minister of Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services. This ceremony at the historic Kadadora Kotmale is organised by Gamini Dissanayake Commemoration Society and Gamini Dissanayake Foundation.

Late GAMINI DISSANAYAKE: The name of late minister Mr. Gamini Dissanayake will live long in the memory of all Sri Lankans who had the good fortune to meet him in his official capacity as Minister in the late J. R. Jayewardene's government.

In recent history of our country, the making of peace and sustaining it, have been a crucial pre-occupation. Gamini Dissanayake initiated a massive effort to bring about reconciliation between various factions to ensure a stable and harmonious Sri Lankan society.

He was a noble human being, with a powerful, pleasant and charismatic personality. He was a person, full of compassion and love for humanity. His oration was mesmerizing, his language and dulcet voice rich and impeccable. He was vociferous reader and a veritable gold mine of information. In any forum, locally or internationally, he was a superb debater. President J.R.J., on many occasions defended his Government in Parliament using G.D. as his main speaker.

I have never come across anyone, so meticulous, methodical, organized and flawless in whatever he did.

Gamini Dissanayake was born on March 20, 1942. He was born to a family of seven children to Andrew Dissanayake and Welagedera Samaratunga Kumarihamy of Kotmale. His basic values were cultivated in rural environment and social surroundings of Kotmale.

At Trinity

He entered Trinity College, Kandy in 1948. In 1961, he joined the Law College. At the age of 24 he took oaths as an Advocate. He ended his illustrious career as a President Counsel.

In 1970 he entered Parliament. Unseated in an election petition in 1971, he fought his way back, won the by-election proving his capability as an excellent organizer.

In 1977, When J.R.J, came into power, he made Gamini Dissanayake, his second in command and assigned him a difficult Ministry - Irrigation, Power and Highways, when he was only 35 years. He earned the name as the most powerful, educated and versatile, Cabinet Minister un-assuming Gamini Dissanayake, moved with kings and commoner alike and day by day he gained popularity. He was a fine administrator and a perfectionist. In no time, he showed the signs of a great national leader. He faced many challenges, even from his own camp.

Test status gained

Among the many areas where Gamini Dissanayake made tremendous contribution, a separate chapter should be written title "History of Cricket in Sri Lanka Gamini Dissanayake era."

He ushered the golden era of Cricket in Sri Lanka. He held prestigious position of President Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka for 11 years.

Gaining of Test status for Sri Lanka was the greatest achievement of Gamini Dissanayake. Sri Lanka was fortunate to have gain Test status due to his discerning intelligence, noble charismatic personality, clarity of speech and eloquence efficient.

The delegates who attended the conference of the International Cricket Council at Lord's in London was fascinated by the speech delivered by Dissanayake on behalf of Sri Lankan Cricket. The facts placed before them were so convincing they could no longer exclude Sri Lanka from test arena. He spoke with such elation and enthusiasm echoed and re-echoed at Lords, like the waves of the sea dashing against the shore, and held the delegates spellbound. Gamini Dissanayake's name will be remembered as long as the game of cricket is played in Sri Lanka.

Gamini Dissanayake not only set up a systematic administration by selecting the correct person to the correct position. He obtained the services of experts like Sir Garfield Sobers and Les Lenham to coach Sri Lankan cricketers, further he invited Dr. Rudi Webster, one of the world's best psychologist to motivate Sri Lankan cricketers and enhance their mental stability. I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity of translating Dr. Webster's lecture into Sinhala.

Improved infrastructure

He improved the infrastructure of cricket. He was responsible for the construction of the head quarters of the Board of Control for Cricket at Maitland Place, Colombo 07. Today it is the nerve center of Sri Lanka Cricket. The Indoor Cricket Complex at the N. C. C. was also put up along with it. He was totally responsible in elevating Asgiriya playground to a test venue.

He believed that cricket to take deep root and become popular in this country, it was essential to get the assistance of the Print and Electronic Media. He was a true friend of all media men.

Gamini Dissanayake provided playgrounds and constructed them in Galnewa, Bakamuna, Dehiattakandiya, Welikanda and Embilipitiya.