Former Sri Lanka cricketer and BRC stalwart Jayantha Paranathala dies at 72

Jayantha Paranathala was President of BRC for 28 years

Jayantha Paranathala, the first Isipathana College cricketer to play for Sri Lanka and a stalwart of the Burgher Recreation Club (BRC) has died at the age of 72.

Paranathala played for his alma mater from 1967-70 captaining the school cricket team in his final year. After leaving school he played for Panadura SC and BRC. He later joined the Police Department and opened the bowling with T.B. Kehelgamuwa. He had a long and distinguished career with the Sri Lanka Police retiring with the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police.

In October 1970 he was selected to play for the Ceylon Board President’s XI led by Anura Tennekoon against Indian Universities which comprised players like Sunil Gavaskar, the Amarnath brothers Surinder and Mohinder and Dilip Doshi. He also played for Sri Lanka Board President’s XI in the Gopalan Trophy match against Tamil Nadu in February 1976.

Paranathala made his international debut for Sri Lanka against Tony Greig’s Englishmen in February 1977 opening the bowling with Tony Opatha and dismissing Derek Underwood in the first innings and Bob Woolmer in the second. In the Gopalan Trophy match that followed at Chepauk in March, Paranathala, a left-handed middle-order batsman scored 85 adding 201 with Duleep Mendis who went on to make a monumental 194.

After retiring from cricket Paranathala held key positions at Sri Lanka Cricket in various capacities as Sri Lanka team manager, national selector, Sri Lanka Cricket Vice President, Chairman of the Umpires’ Committee and Secretary of the National Development Committee. In September 2018, he was one of 49 former Sri Lankan cricketers of the pre-Test era to be honoured by Sri Lanka Cricket for their services.

He also played hockey for his school and for Police SC and was an All-Island JP.

Paranathala was President of BRC for 28 years (from 1987-2015) during which period he did a wonderful job to uplift the club to what it is today. In remembrance of his contribution to the club the remains of late Paranathala will be at the BRC today from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. for members, families and friends to pay their last respect. – (ST)