Josephians thrash Peters to regain Peter A. Pillai trophy
May 1, 2023.
A dominant performance from the Josephians saw them beating arch rivals St. Peter’s College by 5 wickets in the 49th Battle of the Saints limited overs encounter at the SSC grounds yesterday.
Peterite skipper Nimuthu Gunawaradane won the toss and elected to bat first in a placid surface at SSC. Josephians were always on top with the ball taking wickets in regular intervals.
The Peterites failed to make use of batting-friendly conditions as they gave wickets away cheaply.
Wicket keeper/batter Nathen David was the only player to hang around at the crease to score a much deserved half century for the Peterites. Apart from David, Rusanda Gamage starred with the bat scoring a flawless 32 before he gifted his wicket away cheaply.
Leg spinner Avintha de Alwis was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 27 while Yenula Dewthusa, Shevon Daniel and Lahiru Amarasekara picked up 2 wickets each.
In response, the Josephians got off to a decent start with the two openers. Sadeesh Jayawardane looked good for another long innings but he perished for 30. However, the strong Josephian batting line up made sure to get over the line with ease.
Hirun Kapurubandara was the main stay for the boys from Darley Road scoring a half century.
Vishen Halambage starred with the ball taking 2 wickets.
Brief Scores
St. Peter’s College, Colombo 156 (41.5) Nathen David 53, Rusanda Gamage 32, Avintha De Alwis 3/27, Yenula Dewthusa 2/18, Shevon Daniel 2/33 Lahiru Amarasekara 2/37
89th Battle of the Saints Encounter at SSC Grounds
The 89th Battle of the Saints encounter between St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College ended in a tame draw yesterday (29) as rain interrupted both days at the SSC Ground.
The Josephian skipper won the toss and elected to field first. The Peterites started badly and lost two wickets in the first over bowled by Gagan Chamod. The right-arm seamer was able to take another wicket in the 5th over, removing Vishen Halambage for just 18 runs. This put St. Peter’s in a difficult position, with a score of 29/3.
However, Rusanda Gamage and Chamindu Perera were able to rescue the team by putting on a 77-run partnership for the 4th wicket. Both Gamage and Perera went on to score important half-centuries, but St. Peter’s were still restricted to a total of 214 runs in their first innings. Chamod was the standout bowler for St. Joseph, taking 5 wickets for 69 runs, while Vice-Captain Lahiru Amarasekara gave him good support by taking 3 crucial wickets for 36 runs.
When St. Joseph’s had their turn to bat, they were only able to play for 6.2 overs before rain suspended play. It was unfortunate for both teams, but it gave St. Peter’s some time to recover and plan their strategy for the next innings.
On day 2, Josephians resumed play under perfect batting conditions. Skipper Sadeesh Jayawardena and Naren Muralitharan walked out with intent. Unfortunately, Muralitharan was dismissed early. In came Shevon Daniel who joined with his skipper and started to accumulate runs.
Daniel had a life when Sanshay Gunathilaka dropped a sitter but he failed to pounce on it as he too perished thanks to a stunning catch by Shennon Rodrigo.
Hiran Jayasundara walked in to join his skipper and U19 national teammate. The pair looked flawless as they kept on accumulating runs at a brisk pace.
Skipper Jayawardena brought up his century in the Big Match. It was a knock of pure class as he dominated the Peterite bowling attack. At the other end, Jayasundara was manoeuvring the ball into vacant spaces.
After the lunch break, the clouds started to gather and it finally started pouring down when Jayasundara was stranded on 92.
The rain continued and finally the officials called off the game, which meant the Peterites retained the Maurice J. Le Goc Trophy for another year.
Saints ready to battle for Rev. Fr. Maurice J. Le Goc Trophy
27 April 2023
The finale of March Madness, the 89th Battle of the Saints between two premier Catholic schools, St. Peter’s College and St. Joseph’s College, is all set to take centre stage on today (28) and tomorrow (29) at the SSC Ground.
One of the most competitive Big Matches played in Sri Lanka, the 89th edition of the Battle of the Saints played for the Rev. Father Maurice J. Le Goc Trophy, will be battled in its full glory as the gates open for the public after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Battle of the Saints, which is renowned for its exciting and competitive brand of cricket, is the only annual two-day cricket encounter that strategically limits the first innings to 60 overs each to create greater interest and result orientation.
St. Joseph’s College leads the tally with 12 wins, their last win coming under the captaincy of Ruwantha Fernandopulle in 2008, but St. Peter’s College have been the holders of the trophy since winning it back in 2010 under the captaincy of Chathura Peiris. Since then, Peterites have won it twice under Shehan Fernando (2012) and Vinu Mohotty (2016).
In the 2023 encounter, the lads from Darley Road will be led by wicketkeeper-batsman and Sri Lanka U19 player Sadeesh Jayawardena. He has led the team with the bat, scoring the highest amount of runs – 876 – in the 2022/’23 season. His key weapons in the batting department are Muditha Dissanayake and the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan’s son, Naren Muralitharan. Both players have crossed the 500-run mark this season, with Naren showing great resilience with the bat, playing longer innings at the top.
In the bowling department, Vice Captain Lahiru Amarasekara and Yenula Dewthusa have led the spin bowling attack. Off spinner Amarasekara has 51 wickets under his belt while Dewthusa is the highest wicket taker with 60 wickets. However, the X factor for the Josephians will be none other than Shevon Daniel. Having missed the entire season due to U19 national duty and other T20 franchise leagues, Daniel will have a point to prove as he represents his alma mater for the last time next week.
The boys from Bambalapitiva will be under the captaincy of batting all-rounder Nimuthu Gunawardena. The hard-hitting top order bat is the best performer for the Peterites, with 706 runs and 22 wickets under his belt. Peterites have four batters who have gone past the 500-run mark, but a lot will depend on left-handed batter Rusanda Gamage. The most technically correct batter in the side, he already has a couple of centuries under his belt this season. Other key batters are U19 National Cap Vishen Halambage, Oween Salgado, and Kavika Jayasundara.
In the bowling department, left-arm spinner Shenon Rodrigo will hold the key for Peterites during the middle overs. He is the highest wicket taker this season with 36 scalps. The seam bowling pair of Lakindu Samarajeewa and Sean Roberts has also been impressive this season. Halambage’s fast leg breaks have also come in handy for the Peterites this season.
The highly anticipated Josephian-Peterite limited overs match played for the Fr. Peter A. Pillai Memorial Trophy, which was the first one-day encounter among schools commencing in 1975, has always attracted the highest number of spectators for a school’s 50-over cricket match. This is scheduled to be played on Sunday (30) at the SSC Grounds in Colombo.
The Josephians lead the one-day encounter 24-21, with 2 matches ending with no result and one game with a tie. In last year’s encounter, the boys from Bambalapitiya edged out strong favourites Josephians.
The two schools have produced many national caps. Current Sri Lanka Test Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Chaminda Vaas, Dunith Wellalage, Thisara Perera, Ashley De Silva, Michael Vandort, Roshen Silva, Priyamal Perera, and Sadeera Samarawickrama are Josephians who represented Sri Lanka, while the Peterites are Roy Dias, Rumesh Ratnayake, Vinothen John, Amal Silva, Russel Arnold, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Malinda Warnapura, Angelo Perera, and Janith Liyanage.
It is with profound sadness we report that Benito de Silva, popular community leader in Toronto who was a beacon of light in the Sri Lankan community for over four decades passed away last Wednesday (9th February) at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto.
By: Upali Obeyesekere – Josephian-Peterite Global NEWS NETWORK
BENITO DE SILVA
Benito de Silva was the Josephian arm of the Josephian-Peterite Alumni Association of Canada (JPAA Canada). The two co-founders of JPAA Canada in 1984 were Benito de Silva (SJC) and Upali Obeyesekere (SPC). JPAA Canada prides itself as the first Sri Lankan Schools’ Alumni Association to be formed in Canada. JPAA launched the Canadian Series of the “Battle of the Saints” in 1985, that drew large crowds since its inception. Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Stanley Abeysekara, Rector of St. Joseph’s College Colombo was Chief Guest at the 1985 inaugural match in Toronto.
Educated at St. Joseph’s College Colombo, Benito excelled in athletics, swimming, cricket, and field hockey. On leaving school. he joined the volunteer service of the Ceylon Army, worked in the private sector at Carson Cumberbatch Company and at the state-sponsored Insurance Corporation. Benito represented Insurance Corp., in Cricket and Hockey.
Benito was the consummate gentleman and a proud Josephian. His younger brothers are former Army Commander Gen. Gerry de Silva, Eugene de Silva and well known theatre personality Jerome de Silva.
FAMILY
Benito was the much-loved husband of Annette (nee Chapman) for 58 years, beloved father of Gavin (Erika) and Diane (Roy) and doting grandfather of Nicolas, Marisa, Michael, and Victor. He leaves behind numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and large coterie of friends who were near and dear to him. The Toronto-based Sri Lankan-Canadian community at-large are heartbroken as their beloved friend Benito – known as a man for all seasons is no more.
Anthony Gene Benito De Silva was born in Colombo on 28th September 1935. He was predeceased by his loving parents, Walter and Etta De Silva and his infant son, Glen. He was the eldest in a close-knit family of six – two sisters Therese (Jay Liyanage), and Clementine (Sumith Liyanage) and three brothers – Gen. Gerard de Silva (Junie), Eugene de Silva (Madonna) and Jerome de Silva who live back home in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. MAY BENITO REST IN PEACE, AMEN!
Live coverage of the Centenary Celebrations will be by ‘Quadrangle’. Their message is reproduced below.
“St. Peter’s College will be celebrating its Centenary on 18th January with His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith Archbishop of Colombo as the Chief Guest. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 8.30 a.m. in the College Quadrangle followed by Assembly.
Join us from 7.30 a.m. onwards to witness live the unfolding of the Centenary Year at St. Peter’s College!”
ICONIC ENTERTAINER & PRE SEVENTIES PETERITE BIDS FAREWELL
Sunday, January 9, 2022.
It is with profound sadness we learn that popular entertainer Desmond de Silva succumbed to a heart attack whilst in Melbourne today. A living legend he was born in Matara but bred in Colombo. His versatility was limitless – singing in both English and Sinhala with relative ease and sometimes even in Tamil.
Des was 77 at the time of his sudden demise. He was one of the greatest Sri Lankan entertainers of our time with a super stage presence. A resident of Sydney, Australia, Des was in Melbourne to perform at the New Year’s Eve dance on December 31st.
Desmond Anaclitus Rajiva de Silva launched his music career in 1963 or 1964, as lead vocalist of FIREFLIES band led by Milroy de Silva with Darrell de Silva, Anton de Mel, Anton de Zilwa, Basil Paiva, and others. His music was widely featured on Radio Ceylon and later on the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, the oldest radio station in South Asia. Des also performed with leading Sri Lankan pop groups like ‘Gabo and the Breakaways’, ‘Jetliners’ before forming his own band in 1976 – ‘Desmond and the Clan’.
Besides Sri Lanka, Desmond has lived in Los Angeles, London, and more recently in Sydney. With the turn of the century, Des became a solo vocalist/entertainer playing with various popular bands. He once told me in Toronto that he would go round the world singing if he was backed by ‘The Gypsies’ band as they jelled beautifully.Desmond’s on-stage persona and performing style together with his easygoing nature inspired many generations of local musicians through whom his musical legacy will live on for decades to come.
Des, you lived a charmed life! You will now be reunited with your beloved son Steve and other family members, including your brother Milroy, who passed away recently in Vancouver, B.C. You will also be joining your good friends Sunil Perera, A.E. Manoharan and Clarence Wijewardena, in heaven!
Toronto Connection
Desmond’s first gig in Toronto was presented by veteran music promoter Ranjit Wickramasingha of Voice of Lanka. This was in early 90s. It was Tissa Gunasekara who backed him for this performance. He has been to Toronto many times after that.
Just over a decade back, my dear friend and business partner the late Nirantha de Silva and I presented a super gig with Desmond as feature artist accompanied by The Gypsies with Sunil & Piyal Perera, Dushan Jayatileka (Keyboards), Derrick Hepponstall (Base guitar), Niresh Perera (Drums), and Radika Rajavelu (Vocalist). To add to this star studded cast, we got down Ronnie Leitch for the benefit of our audience. The dinner dance was on Saturday and Musical Extravaganza on Sunday in a sold out back-to-back weekend presentation of top stars together on one stage – never seen before in Canada by the local Sri Lankan community. All 1235 seats at the prestigious Ryerson Theatre were sold out two weeks before the musical show on Sunday. I picked up and dropped Desmond and his wife (living in London, England at the time) from the Toronto Airport and put them up at a hotel with The Gypsies. Got to know Des up close and personal, a friendship that has lasted the time until his untimely demise.
DESMOND –A Class Act
Farewell Desmond, you leave a lasting legacy to the music world. We, your fans will continue to listen, enjoy and dance to your catchy hits and all too familiar voice. May the angels welcome you to God’s beautiful land!
Schools are the lifeblood of any community! Education is the bedrock of our contentment as a society, as an economy and as a people. It has often been stated that our greatest resource is our people. We have nurtured that resource and enriched its potential by the professionalism, dedication, and generosity of generations of teachers in all levels of our educational system. The British colonial period lasted from 1796 to 1948 and shaped the development of education in Sri Lanka. But it was only after the British took over that formal primary and secondary education was actualized with the establishment of schools by British missionaries.
The Northern Province were the early beneficiaries of the hard work done by foreign missionaries in setting up schools in Ceylon. History tells us that Jaffna Central College(JCC) was the first school established in the island. It was founded in 1816 by Rev. James Lynch, the leader of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionaries who arrived in the country in June 1814 and journeyed to Jaffna two months later in August 1814. His mission in Jaffna was to establish English schools on a directive by the 3rd British Governor, Sir Robert Brownrigg. Union College in Tellippalai was founded in 1816. St. John’s College was established in 1823. Jaffna College in Vaddukoddai was established in 1823. Uduvil Girls’ College was established in 1824. Vembadi Girls’ High School was founded in 1834. Hartley College was founded in 1838. Holy Family Convent, Jaffna was founded in 1845.
A standard system of government schools was established by the British based on the recommendations of the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission in 1833. This is regarded as the beginning of the government’s schooling system in the island. It started with the establishment of the Royal College in Colombo (formerly the Colombo Academy) in 1835. St. Anthony’s College Kandy was founded in 1854, same year as St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa. Other schools to be established in the 19th Century are St. Benedict’s College Kotahena in 1865, St. Joseph’s College Trincomalee in 1867, St. Anne’s College Kurunegala in 1867, Richmond College Galle in 1876.
Rev. Fr. M.J. Le Goc – Founder of St. Peter’s College Colombo
Given this background, my write-up moves to Colombo – the city where we have on record that St. Joseph’s College Colombo was founded in 1896 by a visionary group of French Missionaries led by Rev. Christophe-Etienne Bonjean. In 1914 Rev. Fr. Maurice James Le Goc, a French Missionary arrived in Sri Lanka. He was appointed to St Joseph’s College and was made the head of the school’s Science Department. In 1919 Fr. Le Goc was appointed the Rector of St. Joseph’s College. St. Joseph’s recently celebrated its Quasquicentennial or 125th Anniversary in 2021.
Rev. Fr. Maurice J. Le Goc
Fr. Le Goc envisioned an overflow of students and decided to set up a second educational institution in the south of the city (Colombo). This gave way to St. Joseph’s College South that was established in January 1922 on the land side of Galle Road, Bambalapitiya bordering the Wellawatta canal. The inauguration took place on Wednesday 18 January 1922 as 204 students were admitted on that day and by the end of the year the number had risen to 268. Fr. Le Goc overlooked the administration of the school until 1927. This school was re-branded and named St. Peter’s College in 1927. The name change was documented on April 8, 1927, vide Gazette Notification No.7575. Rev. Fr. D.J. Nicholas Perera was appointed the first Rector of the newly established school in 1927, a role he performed with distinction until 1943 for 16 years.
St. Peter’s College Colombo
This writer joined St. Peter’s College thirty-four years later in 1956, in the 6th Standard that was called Prelim A. My first school was St. Anne’s College Kurunegala from Kindergarten to 5th Standard in the Primary School. The transition from my hometown to Colombo was smooth and I was housed at my aunt’s at Bambalapitiya Flats. Rev. Fr. Arthur Fernando was appointed the 3rd Rector of the school having taken over from Rev. Fr. Basil Wiratunga (1943-1956). Mr. Primson Jayasekara, a calm and collected individual was my class master. He had two celebrated musical sons – Perin & Gerrinus who performed as the famous “Jay Brothers”. The duo, quite popular at the time had passed out as doctors from the Colombo Medical College. There were four of us from outstation who joined St. Peter’s College in 1956 – Sunil Liyanage from Negombo, Chandra Fernando (former IGP) from Matara, Ranjit Wijesinghe from Galle and yours truly from Kurunegala. Sixty-five years later, all four of us still remain close friends though many oceans separate us.
St. Peter’s College, Colombo, is one of the largest Catholic schools in the country. This is a banner year for the school as it celebrates its 100 year centenary on January 18, 2022. It will mark an important milestone in the College calendar, as the boys in blue, white, and gold cherish and celebrate the completion of the century of their alma mater. Today the College has proven itself to become one of the largest Catholic schools in the country with almost 4,500 students on roll while seven priests, 215 teachers and 100 clerical and support staff serve the College. Producing a fully-fledged individual has always been the vision and mission of the College, reiterated the current Rector – Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo while stressing, “Every Peterite has to strive to become a versatile person and upon leaving College be able to excel in any field he chooses to pursue.”
The Motto of the school is Virtus Et Veritas (Latin). The sister school is Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya. St. Peter’s College is centrally located on the landside of Galle Road. Commuting to the school is easy by bus or train. The cross section of students who walk through the hallowed hallways of the school comes from Bambalapitiya, Kollupitiya, Thimbirigasyaya, Nugegoda, Kirillapona, Pamankada, Wellawatta, Dehiwala and Mt. Lavinia. Neighbouring schools’ in Bambalapitiya are St. Paul’s Milagiriya, Holy Family Convent, Visakha Vidyalaya, and Hindu College Colombo. To the south in Wellawatta, there are two girls’ schools – St. Clare’s College and St. Lawrence’s Convent.
The one-hundred-year period of St. Peters’ College, beginning 1922, could conveniently be divided into six distinct eras. Firstly, The beginnings dominated by Very Rev. Fr. Maurice Le Goc; Secondly the era of the First Rector, Very Rev. Fr. D. J. Nicholas Perera (1927 to 1943) who laid a solid foundation, a period which saw St. Peter’s making a big impact on the local educational scene in double quick time; Thirdly, the aftermath of World War II and the Rectorship of Very Rev. Fr. Basil A. Wiratunga O.M.I. from 1943 to 1956; Fourthly, an era spanning 21 years which take in the Rectorships of five Rectors all of whom had to grapple with financial constraints brought about by the daring and bold decision not to be vested with the State, but to function as a ‘Non fee levying private school’ – Rev. Fr. Arthur Nicholas Fernando (1956 to 1963), Rev. Fr. Mervyn Weerakkody (1963 to 1971), Rev. Fr. Theodore E. Peiris O.M.I. (1971 to 1975), Rev. Fr. Claver Perera (1975 to 1976), and Rev. Fr. Francis Madiwela (1976 to 1977); Fifthly, the enlightening and brilliant Rectorship of Rev. Fr. Joe E. Wickramasinghe (1978 to 1994) – an era which could well be called ‘The Renaissance in Peterite History’; this was followed by the eleven year old Rectorship of Rev. Fr. Felician Perera (1994-2005) on whose young shoulders fell the responsibility of guiding St. Peter’s into the early 21st Century, bringing us up to the era of Fr. Travis Gabriel (2005-2014), the 10th Rector of St. Peter’s College. Then came the builder of the century and the 11th Rector, Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin (2014-2019). His tenure in office was marked with infrastructure development projects. This was the beginning of a chain of buildings and innovations to St. Peter’s College. As he started the office renovations, he dreamt of having a suitable hall that could accommodate three hundred people. Fr. Trevor got the architects and engineers for a meeting and changed the whole foundation and came up with a plan for a three-storied building, finding space for a computer section on the first floor.
Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo – Current Rector, St. Peter’s College Colombo
Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo, A proud old boy of St. Peter’s College, has been appointed as the 12th Rector of St. Peter’s College. He served earlier as the Principal of the Primary School at St. Peter’s and later as the Rector of St. Jude’s College Negombo. Under his guidance our alma mater will reach new heights.
The quality of education one receives at. St. Peter’s College is exceptional. For science students the laboratories are well equipped. The school hires first-class teachers’ who impart their knowledge to the students with ease and clarity. Sports has always been its forte going back in time to the early 30s when the cricket, rugby football and athletic teams excelled at inter-school championships. St. Peter’s College cricket team was formed in the same timeframe as the induction of Fr. Nicholas Perera’s appointment as first Rector of St. Peter’s College. According to records available, Norman Paternott was appointed the first cpatain of the Peterite Cricket team in 1928 and served in this capacity with distinction till 1930.
Josephian-Peterite Cricket Encounter a.k.a. “Battle of the Saints”
Battle of the Saints logo
The Josephian-Peterite Cricket Encounter began in 1933 with Robert Fernando (SJC) & George Jayaweera (SPC) honoured as the respective skippers of St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College. St. Peter’s has produced many top notch crickers ever since this auspices start – too many to mention in this write-up. The match was interrupted during the second world war for two encounters – in 1942 & 1943. St. Joseph’s College leads the series tally with 12 wins, their last win coming under the captaincy of Ruwantha Fernandopulle in 2008, while St. Peter’s College were the winners of the 2016 encounter under Vinu Mohotty, bringing their tally to 10 wins, which ensured the Rev. Father Maurice J. Legoc Trophy was kept securely in the trophy cabinet in Bambalapitiya.
Clive Inman – undoubtedly the most decorated Peterite cricketer in the first 100 years
Clive Inman captained SPC in 1955
Clive Inman is perhaps the most decorated cricketer produced by the school. His innings of 204 (retired hurt) at the Josephian-Peterite big match in 1954 remains the highest individual score of the 87-year-old history of the series that began in 1933. St. Peter’s College fielded two sets of brothers in their 1955 team captained by the dynamic Clive Inman; the Duckworth brothers – Kenneth and Russell, and the de Silva brothers – Brian and Maurice. This, I believe, is a record in the Josephian-Peterite big match.
Inman represented All-Ceylon in cricket and emigrated to England where he played for Leicestershire County Cricket Club, one of the first-class clubs in the domestic cricket structure of England and Wales. Rohan Buultjens (St. Peter’s) remains the only cricketer in the series to score two centuries in the big match in 1979.
Other notable cricketers who earned their national caps are Dr. H.I.K. Fernando, P.A.T. Kelly, Tony Opatha, David Heyn, Rohan Buultjens, Roy Dias, Rumesh Ratnayake, Vinothen John, Amal Silva, Russel Arnold, Kaushal Lokuarachci, Malinda Warnapura, and Angelo Perera. Santhush Gunathilake, 2018 Peterite skipper is part of the current squad and is likely to represent Sri Lanka shortly. Gunathilake holds the record for the highest score by a Peterite ever when he scored 252 runs against Ananda College in 2019. Gunathilaka’s awesome score of 252 runs surpassed the previous record held by Angelo Perera – 239-runs in 2009 against Nalanda College. The other double-century scores on record for the Peterites are that of 1963 skipper Tyrone Le Mercier’s unbeaten 235 against St. Anthony’s College Kandy in 1962.
ROY DIAS – CLASSIC BATSMAN FOR ST. PETER’S
Other notable cricketers who earned their national caps are Dr. H.I.K. Fernando, P.A.T. Kelly, Tony Opatha, David Heyn, Rohan Buultjens, Roy Dias, Rumesh Ratnayake, Vinothen John, Amal Silva, Russel Arnold, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Malinda Warnapura, and Angelo Perera. Santhush Gunathilake, 2018 Peterite skipper is part of the current squad and is likely to represent Sri Lanka shortly. Gunathilake holds the record for the highest score by a Peterite ever when he scored 252 runs against Ananda College in 2019. Gunathilaka’s awesome score of 252 runs surpassed the previous record held by Angelo Perera – 239-runs in 2009 against Nalanda College. The other double-century scores on record for the Peterites are that of 1963 skipper Tyrone Le Mercier’s unbeaten 235 against St. Anthony’s College Kandy in 1962.
St. Peter’s has always been proud of its rugby record
St. Peter’s College took to Rugby Football like a duck would take to water. Peterite Rugby lineage is rich with talent together with the true spirit of the game and it is with no doubt the Blue, White and Gold Brigade have made up their name as consistent performers of the game through-out the history of ninety years.
A decade after the school was established, Lim Billimoria was ushered in as the school’s first rugby captain. In the period 1932-1949, St. Peter’s had outstanding players like Billimorai, Shirley de S. Illesinghe, Fred Kellar, Percy Perera, Archibald Perera, Shelly Blake, Kenneth de Silva, Harold de Silva and others. The following were rugby captains from 1932-1949.
1949 – Ken Ariyaraja 1948 – Harold de Silva 1942 – 1947 – No rugger due to World War II 1941 – W A Chandrasena 1940 – Kenneth Silva (schools’ rugby champions for the year) 1939 – Vernon Peiris (schools’ rugby champions for the year) 1938 – Percy Perera (invincible rugby champions. Percy Perera also captained the cricket team in 1938) 1937 – Percy Perera (schools’ rugby champions for the year) 1936 – Archibald Perera (invincible rugby champions for the first time and he was one among the few Ceylonese to represent All Ceylon. He was subsequently a legendary coach from 1956 to 1982) 1935 – Fred Kellar (beat Trinity for the 1st time and declared joint champions with Trinity) 1934 – Shirley de S Illesinghe (Peterites record their first ever win. Against Royal – 5-0. Illesinghe was also the cricket captain in 1934 & 1935) 1933 – J E F Pereira 1932 – Lim Bilimoria
The period 1950 – 1975 saw St. Peter’s College produced top rugby players who played first class rugby for clubs and later represented the national team. Shelley Blake, Ago Paiva, Terry Williams, Ephraims brothers – Conrad, Leslie & Desmond, Brian de Silva, Tony Johnson, Maurice de Silva, Lakshman Serasinghe, Jayantha Fernando, Adiel Anghie, Didacus de Almeida, Jeyer Rodriguez, Rohan Abeysundera, Hadji Omar, Paternott brothers – Aubrey, Rodney & Hamish, Ronnie Gunaratne, Hazmee Hameed, Sunil Perera, Jeffrey de Jong, Frank Hubert, Nimal Jayasuriya, C.L. (Lalith) de Silva, Jizwi Nizar, Darrell Wimalaratne, Desmond Harridge, Stephen Alagaratnam, Durand Beekmeyer, to name a few.
These six Peterites were honoured to captain Cricket & Rugby teams at their alma mater
47th Encounter – Battle of the Saints Series at SSC Grounds on December 16, 2021.
Rev. Fr. Claver Perera’s tenure as Rector, St. Peter’s College that the limited overs cricket match between the Big Match rivals – St. Peter’s College and St. Joseph’s College was launched. Played on the 16th of March in 1975 it was the first such limited overs ‘Big Match’ among schools in Sri Lanka. St. Peter’s led by Bernard Wijetunga Jr. beat the Josephians led by Dushan Soza, in this short format of cricket between the two schools.
The Josephian-Peterite limited overs encounter earns the right to be called the ‘longest running Limited Over encounter in Sri Lanka among schools’ and played for the Rev. Fr. Peter A. Pillai trophy.
The 47th edition of this memorable encounter was played at the SSC grounds in Colombo on Wednesday, December 16, 2021. The match ended in a decisive victory for St. Joseph’s over St. Peter’s by 85 runs. St. Joseph’s won the last two encounters in 2018 and 2019. With this year’s win the Josephians extended their wins in the Joe-Pete limited-overs series to 24, while the Peterites have won on 20 occasions. Two matches ended without a result, while one game ended in a tie.
Given this background, St. Joseph’s won the toss and elected to bat at the picturesque SSC grounds – a decision that proved right judging by the result. However, the start of the innings was wobbly when opener Yesith Rupasinghe flicked the ball to the safe hands of Peterite skipper Nipunaka Fonseka for a duck. Two balls later No.3 batsman Hirun Kapurubandara was out lbw. Peterite pacer Danal Hemananda accounting for both wickets. Then came a 36-run partnership between Skipper Sheran Fonseka, 18, and Hiran Jayasundara, 58, that consolidated the Josephian innings. With Fonseka’s departure Jayasundara was associated in a match winning partnership with Mithira Thenura, 52, for 101 runs in 163 balls. A cameo by Dinal Anuradha, 30, contributed to a commanding Josephian total of 200 runs in 49.1 overs. Bowling honours for the Peterites went to Chamelkar De Silva 2/27 and Danal Hemananda 4/30.
St. Peter’s also had a disastrous start losing three top order batsmen in quick succession. Chasing a target of 201 runs to win, opener Vishen Halambage, No.3 bat Lahiru Dawatage and Nimuthu Gunawardene were back in the pavilion with three wickets down for 28 runs. The other Opener Shenal Boteju continued his form with the bat in the recently concluded ‘big match’ with another solid innings of 48 runs off 59 balls. Boteju and Skipper Nipunaka Fonseka, 31, held on for 69 balls but had little support from the other batsmen and St. Peter’s folded for 115 runs in 35.2 Overs. Lahiru Amarasekara spun a web round the Peterite batsmen with a splendid spell of five for 36 in 10 overs. Apart from off-spinner Amarasekara’s five-fer, Yesith Rupasinghe and Deshan Senevirathne picked up two wickets apiece.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
Best Fielder – Sheran Fonseka (SJC)
Best Bowler – Danal Hemananda (SPC)
Best Batsman – Hiran Jayasundara (SJC)
Man of the Match – Lahiru Amarasekara (SJC)
BRIEF SCORES
St. Joseph’s College 200/10 in 49/1 Overs – Hiran Jayasundara 58, Mithira Thenura 52, Dinal Anuradha 30, Bowling: Danal Hemananda 4/30, Chamelkar De Silva 2/27.
St. Peter’s College 115/10 in 35.2 Overs – Shenal Boteju 48, Nipunaka Fonseka 31, Bowling: Lahiru Amarasekara 5/36, Deshan Seneviratne 2/14, Yesith Rupasinghe 2/17.
RESULT: St. Joseph’s College won by 85 runs.
TEAMS:
St. Joseph’s College – Sheran Fonseka (Capt), Yesith Rupasinghe, Hirun Kapurubandara, Hiran Jayasundara, Mithira Thenura, Dinal Anuradha, Shenuka De Silva, Kenneth Liyanage, Deshan Seneviratne, Lahiru Amarasekara, Yenula Dewthusa.
St. Peter’s College – Nipunaka Fonseka (Capt), Shenal Boteju, Vishen Halambage, Lahiru Dewatage, Nimuthu Gunawardena, Vinuda Liyanage, Niman Umesh, Danal Hemananda, Shelon Rodrigo, Monil Silva, Chamelka De Silva
Due to national commitments, St. Joseph’s missed the services of their star skipper Dunith Wellalage, batsman Shevon Daniel and wicket-keeper batsman Sadeesh Jayawardene, while the Peterites did not receive permission from Sri Lanka Cricket to field all-rounder Wanuja Sahan. Rain also marred play on both days.
The 87th Battle of the Saints ended in a tame draw, in favour of St. Joseph’s College. The rain delayed big match was played at SSC grounds on Monday, December 13th & Tuesday, December 14th sans spectators due to Covid-19 protocols. The first innings is restricted to 60 overs which is standard procedure.
The two teams in traditional group photograph
BRIEF SCORES
SJC 261.7 in 60 Overs (Sheran Fonseka 52, Yesith Rupasinghe 57, Hiran Jayasundera 53 not out, Mithira Thenura 22, Shenuka de Silva 21), Niman Umesh 3/56, Lashane Rodrigo 2/48.
SPC 138/10 in 56.3 Overs (Shenal Boteju 62, Nipunaka Fonseka 19), Lahiru Amerasekara 3/40, Shenuka De Silva 3/25, and 82/2 in 22 Overs (Shenal Boteju 23, Lahiru Dewatage 50 not out).
Individual Awards
Best Fielder – Shenal Boteju (SPC)
Best Bowler – Shenuka De Silva (SJC)
Best Batsman – Shenal Boteju (SPC)
Best All-Rounder – Yesith Rupasinghe (SJC)
Man of the Match – Sheran Fonseka (SJC)
Match Report
SJC piled up 233 for the loss 6 wkts in their 1st innings
Day-1: St. Peter’s skipper Nipunaka Fonseka won the toss and elected to field first. St. Joseph’s College got off to a super start when the two left-handed openers, stand-in Captain Sheran Fonseka and Yesith Rupasinghe, added 120 runs for the first wicket. Both Fonseka and Rupasinghe had no problem in negating the Peterite bowling as they scored 52 and 57 respectively. Fonseka was the first to be dismissed when he was caught plumb in front for a 93-ball 52 by off-spinner Chamelkar De Silva. Fonseka’s elegant knock had 4 fours. In the very next over, Rupasinghe played a reverse-sweep but missed it completely as off-spinner Niman Umesh picked up his first scalp. Rupasinghe top-scored with a 85-ball 57 with 6 fours. Batting at number three, young Hiran Jayasundara played with utmost confidence to hold the inexperienced Josephian middle order. He remained unbeaten on 49. Mithira Thenura made a 18-ball 20, while Keneth Sasmina Liyanage and Shenuka De Silva made 12 and 21 respectively to steer St. Joseph’s to the driving seat. Umesh was the pick of the bowlers for the Peterites, picking up 3 for 55, bowling 16 overs.
Day-2: Action on day two began at 10.30 am, with the scheduled start being delayed by an hour due to the wet outfield. First day’s play was brought to an end around 2.00 pm due to heavy showers, with the Josephians sitting pretty on 233 for 6. The boys from Darley Road managed to add 28 more runs to their overnight score with overnight batter Hiran Jayasundara reaching a well-deserved half-century.
The Peterites started their reply cautiously, having lost fresher Vishen Halambage early in the innings. Opening Shenal Boteju continued to lose partners as the Josephian spinners bowled brilliantly in conditions which favoured spin bowling. St. Peter’s were 119 for 4 at one stage, but they lost their last 6 wickets for just 19 runs and folded for a paltry 138 runs with a deficit of 123 runs. Boteju was the most impressive batsman for St. Peter’s, scoring 62 off 149 balls with 4 fours. Apart from Boteju, no other player reached 20 runs for St. Peter’s College. The off-spin duo of Shenuka De Silva and Lahiru Amarasekara took 3 wickets apiece.
With a session left, the Josephians enforced the follow-on. In the first ball of the Peterite second innings, Halambage was dismissed. However, Boteju and No.3 Lahiru Dawatage consolidated the innings till stumps were drawn. The two were associated in a partnership of 43 runs for the second wicket. After Boteju fell for 23, Dawatage was joined by Skipper Nipunaka Fonseka as they scored 39 unbroken runs for the 3rd wicket before bad-light ended the game in the last hour.
The Peterites retained the Maurice Le Goc Challenge Trophy having last won it in 2016.
The two teams will battle it out once again on Thursday, December 16 at SSC grounds in the 47th limited-overs encounter.
St. Joseph’s College First Eleven Cricket Team 2021 Seated from left – Lahiru Wickramasinghe (1 st XI Assistanct Coach), Dilan Ramanayake (Head Coach), Asiri Caldera (1 st XI Master in Charge), Sadeesh jayawardene, Dunith Wellalage (Captain) , Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, Rev. Fr. Priyan Thisera (Prefect of Games), Shevon Daniel, Sanjeewa Fernando (Junior 2 nd XI Master in Charge), Sheran Fonseka, Kavindu Perera (2 nd XI Coach) Back Row Standing fromleft – Sasanka Ranaweera, Mithira Thenuwara, Shenuka de Silva, Deshan Senevirathne, Yenula Devthusa, Gagan Chamod, Shenuk Serasinghe, Lahiru Amarasekera, Jaydon Makalanda, Hiruna Kapurubandara, Kenath Sismina, Sahan Dabare, Hiran Jayasundara (Picture by Dilwin Mendis Moratuwa Sports Special Correspondent)
Hiran Sachin Jayasundara
Seventeen-year-old up and coming cricketer, right hand top order bat, wicket keeper, Best Batsman of the Joe-Pete Annual Limited over game 2021 and athlete Hiran Sachin Jayasundara has brought honour and immense fame and glory to his alma mater St. Josephs College Colombo with his deeds in the field of cricket.
Hiran was born on 7th October 2004 and initially he was admitted to the Primary School Ginigathhena in 2010 when Mr.Cyril was the Principal. During this period this school did not have any sports activities and from there in 2013 he was drafted to Mahamathiya Vidyalaya Athurugiriya and in 2016 he participated at the school inter house sports meet in under-12, 100 meters and came first and participating at the Divisional Meet he could not live up to expectations and in the following year too he did the same event at the under 13 age category and he came second. Though he did Athletics his forte is cricket and noticing his keenness and interest in cricket his Parents Jagath Jayasundara and Niranjani Liyanage handed over him to the school cricket coach Mohan Perera and his MIC was Mr.Nalin and at the same time he was admitted to Nelson Mendis Cricket Academy.
With the hard and strenuous practices he was selected to the school under 13 division three tournament cricket team and his first year itself he passed the 200 mark with two fifties and kept wickets and in his second year in the under 13 he scored more than 300 runs with two half centuries and in the meantime he played for Nelson Mendis Academy in the Mercantile Cricket Association under 13 tournament and fared well. It was a fine exposure for him and this performances enabled him to joine St.Josephs College Colombo in 2017 and in the same year he walked into the Joes under 13 team easily and in his final year in the under 13 Division one he crossed over the 300 mark with three fifties and his Coach was Pasindu Liyanarachchi and MIC was Sanjeewa Fernando.
Hiran was selected to the under 15 team and the coach was Malith Silva, but unfortunately due to an injury Hiran had to skip the first year and in the following year in the under 15 division one he passed the 300 mark with a century against St.Thomas College Kotte and got two fifties. He was selected to the Prima Cup District Team and got selected for the Provincial team and they emerged champions
He was a unanimous choice for the under 17 team and the tournament was put off due to Covid and as an under 15 player he was selected to the first eleven cricket squad and he was a reserve and his coaches were Rogar Wijesuriya, Dilan Ramanayake, Lahiru Kanishka, Suranga Perera and the MIC was Asiri Udara and the PoG is Rev. Fr.Priyan Sudarshana. During the 2020 cricket season he played in the schools Limited Over Tournament in five matches and in the 2021 playing in the debut Big Match he scored 53 runs and in the limited over game when he walked into the crease Joes were reeling at 2 for 0 and with Mithira Thenura he put on a century partnership and he scored 58 runs and Mithira contributed 52 runs and it was his debut match and perhaps scoring a half century in the Big Match and the Limited over match may be a his school record and he earned the Best Batsman’s Award at the one dayer. His Rector Rev.Fr.Ranjith Andradi is always very supportive to him.
In the meantime to enhance his Cricket skills he joined King Fisher Cricket Academy Homagama in 2019 and his coach is Duminda Gunasekera.
