Bens past cricketers unite with pride and honour

Wednesday, 12 March 2014 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sunday, 2 March was a memorable day for all past cricketers of St. Benedict’s College; especially the 1964 cricket squad led by versatile batsman Sunil Fernando, who was present to celebrate 50 years with his colleagues in Sri Lanka.

This Champion team beat all leading schools in the island, in the inter collegiate matches. It was a fitting celebration, as some players of the 1964 cricket team members and other cricket enthusiastic travelled all the way from their domiciled countries such as U.S.A., Australia, the U.K., and Dubai etc. There were over 200 past cricketers and old boys who made themselves available for this great re-union, held at the O.B.S.C. pavilion on Sunday. The day’s proceedings commenced giving priority to religious significance as embedded in the college motto ‘Religio-Mores-Cultura’. Holy Mass was offered by Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo an Old Ben Rt. Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Fernando and was assisted by Rev. Fr. Luvi Navaratne, Rev. Fr. Lalith Felix Perera who are also Old Bens. Further the presence of Rev. Fr. Christopher Kurera, Rev. Fr. Felician Perera, Rev. Bro. Janaka Fonseka – Director and other De La Salle Brothers was noted with honour. After the conclusion of the Holy Mass the organising committee arranged an awareness session, where the 1964 cricket team and related important data were highlighted by Member of the 1964 Cricket Squad Selva Perumal, exposing the achievements made by the champion team. The organising committee made this opportunity

to raise funds from the old boys present towards the wing which would assist the various needs of the college cricketers etc. The organising committee further made the day very symbolic as few softball six-a-side matches were worked out where past cricket players participated to uphold the spirit of the game. The day’s program culminated with a sensational social followed by lunch. All past cricketers gathered at this re-union will take back memories they would cherish throughout their life. The organising committee was spearheaded by Malsiri Perera and ably assisted by Ranjith Fernando, Selva Perumal, Lal Wikcramatunge, Felix Dias and the ever willing members of the cricket wing. The event was planned meticulously, and within a month’s time every aspect was looked into by the committee with commitment. The support derived voluntarily from the committee member’s added strength to make this event memorable.

The organising committee takes this opportunity to thank all past cricketers and old boys for gracing the above occasion, assisting in numerous ways, which enabled this event to be a reality and a successful reunion.