Royalist Abeysekera keeps slender lead over Thurstan Jaleel

By Ranjan Anandappa

Royal College deputy skipper and wicket keeper/batsman Milan Abeysekera (52,107) kept last week’s top position while Thurstan’s Minhaj Jaleel (51,877) also kept his second position in the Platinum segment of the Sunday Observer/Mobitel Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2013 Contest at the end of the 17th week count.

Minhaj Jaleel of Thurstan College occupied the number 2 position last week, but Milan Abeysekera maintained the top spot with a majority of 230 votes and Sebastinite Anusha Perera remained unmoved at number three.

St. John’s, Nugegoda’s Yamal Siriwardena, (41,306) once again took the lead to climb to the number one slot over Sri Devananda Ambalangoda’s Sakunda de Silva (41,117) with a lead of 189 votes and Cheruka Herath of Sri Sumnagala, Panadura (38,918) was placed at number three in the ‘Gold’ competition for Division II schools.

In the ‘Silver’ competition for Division III schools, Ishara Hewage (36,892) of Sri Rahula, Katugastota climbed one step up to occupy the second place. Sahan Dharmakeerthie who was placed first last week has dropped to number three polling 36,751 votes.

Picking the readers winners.... (From left): Anuradha Kodagoda (Journalist, Sunday Observer), R.S. Karunaratne (Associate Editor, Sunday Observer) and Rajpal Abeynayake (Editor, Daily News) selecting the coupons for the readers prize at the end of the 17th week counting in the Sunday Observer/Mobitel Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest 2013. Pic: Susantha Wijegunasekera

The readers prizes: 1. Himashi Sewmini, 41/17, Pallewatta, Hasalaka - Rs. 2,500, 2. S.de. Croos, 27, Rukmani Devi, Mawatha, Negombo - Rs.1,500, 3. Wihagi Anashya Rajapakse, 52/4, Kesbewa, Piliyandala - Rs. 1,000.