‘Kili Maharaja’s’ contribution to cricket cannot be expressed in words: Duleep Mendis

The Sri Lanka cricket team to England in 1984. R. Rajamahendran is seated third from right. Duleep Mendis – the captain – is seated fourth from left with Sri Lanka Cricket Board President Gamini Dissanayake seated in the centre

• Past Lankan cricket captains pay tributes

 By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Duleep Mendis said that the contribution R. Rajamahendran made to cricket was immense and cannot be expressed in words.

Mendis worked under Rajamahendran, who was Managing Director/Chairman of the Capital Majaraja Organisation for more than 28 years, and was one of the many cricketers who benefited from the guidance given to him to become a successful cricketer.

Rajamahendran, fondly known as ‘Kili Maharaja’ passed away yesterday morning and his funeral was held the same day.

“I came under his wing from school in 1972-73.  I worked at Maharajah Organisation for more than 28 years. His contribution towards cricket was immense, you cannot express this in words because he is the one who introduced semi-professional cricket to Sri Lanka. He used to employ boys from all over especially from the rural areas and gave them jobs to concentrate on playing cricket. More than doing the job they were full-time cricketers,” said Mendis, who is at present the Head Coach of Oman cricket.

“He did a lot for mercantile cricket by starting to give jobs to people only to play cricket. He was a key figure in the mercantile sector putting out a team to play in the ‘A’ division. He knew that through mercantile cricket you could build cricketers. He knew that his services were needed for international cricket as well and under Gamini Dissanayake’s presidentship, he became the Vice President of the Cricket Board,” continued Mendis.

“He was the one behind the Lord’s Test success (against England in 1984). He took over the management and everything before we went to England. His style of looking after players was quite different to others because he gave them so much of confidence that it came to a stage where the players felt that they had to give something back to him because he was so passionate about the game.”

In that Lord’s Test, which was Sri Lanka’s first in England, they dominated the drawn game with Sidath Wettimuny scoring a monumental 190, skipper Duleep Mendis 111 and 94, and Amal Silva 102*.

Mendis said the service that Rajamahendran had given to Sri Lanka cricket cannot be expressed in words. 

“I have never come across a person, who is a company owner, going out of his way to help people. Some people owe their life and career to him, including myself. When I was with Maharajas, they looked after me so well and encouraged me in cricket. When I was playing too much cricket, ‘Killi’ would push me to do the work as well. His vision was different to many others, his vision was not only in cricket but to build a career for someone.”   

‘Killi’ used to send cricketers, including some of the national players, for advanced coaching. He used to organise and get scholarships to go to England. For instance, before we toured England (in 1984) we went through different coaching sessions. He was doing everything for cricket. How many people today, like a top managing director of a company, will you come across devoting time to cricket? He would come and see the matches and practice sessions and back the players,” said Mendis, who began as a tea taster at Maharaja’s and finished his career with them as a Director of one of their subsidiary companies – A.F. Jones.

Another former Sri Lanka captain Roshan Mahanama who benefited from Rajamahendran’s influence tweeted: “I am deeply grieved to hear about the passing away of Mr. Rajamahendran. He played a silent role in helping Sri Lanka Cricket by supporting many cricketers, including myself. I am forever grateful to him for providing me a scholarship to attend a training camp at Lord’s.”

Two other former Sri Lanka captains also expressed their condolences.

Sanath Jayasuriya said: “Mr. Rajamahendran’s passing away is very sad news. He has contributed so much to Sri Lanka’s cricket in his capacity as SLC Board Vice President and gaining test for Sri Lanka and supported so many aspiring cricketers. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.”

Mahela Jayawardene said: “Really sad to hear the news this morning passing away of Mr. Rajamahendran. Ardent cricket fan who had passion for the game. Person with a good heart. My thoughts are with his family. RIP.”