 |
| Ms Sanjeev Gardiner sashing
Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya the Cannonball
Runners |
Noel Coward's song Mad Dogs and Englishmen was an appropriate theme
that was aired at the `Cannonball Run' a fun event of heritage value
that was celebrated by the Galle Face Hotel on Tuesday March 31. They
say that Noel Coward got his inspiration to compose the song while
spending a holiday at this oldest hotel in South East Asia.
 |
|
Footwork
Academy Dancers |
Entertainment was provided by Latin American Dancers from Footwork
Academy and saxophonist Kumar Molligoda.
But the spotlight at this well attended historical event fell on the
runners who participated, their names were held under wraps and revealed
only at the event. They were Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva - a
complete surprise announced by the master of ceremonies Eshan Gunasekera,
who described the history behind the event.
Celebrated annually by the Galle Face Hotel in the month of March
this high profile event goes back to 1845. In that year while the
Artillery of the British Army was practising on the Southern ramparts of
the Colombo Fort, a 30 pound cannonball struck the roof of the `Galle
Face House', crashed through the roof and rolled down to the drawing
room.
The British Governor at that time Sir Colin Campbell had come to see
the `mischief' and since then in March every year a traditional
`Cannonball Run' was organised to mark this event. Participants ran from
the Cannon on the Galle Face Green and touched the Cannonball kept in
the Hotel.
The race this year resulted in a tie between Sanath
Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva - the first time in history, trust the
two sportsmen to create a record! The monetary reward given to the
winners was magnanimously donated to charity by the winners. The
entertainment continued reaching a high. |
