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'Blues' 125th anniversary Carnival: mainly for re-development
When one discusses cricket - the game introduced by our former colonial masters especially among those expatriates who worked in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) it was a game for social entertainment. In the very game the Englishmen introduced to this country (besides English language) the Lankans have got the better of them at home and away. It speaks well for the role played by the Royalists and Thomians in the past, who have contributed much for its development.

No cricket enthusiast or a pundit will deny this fact. Both institutions have produced great cricketers and administrators. One name that towers above all is the late P. Saravanamuttu who worked ungrudgingly with his own men and material to create the Colombo Oval - the only international venue in the past where the inaugural test was played in 1981. P.Sara was a rock hard Thomian. Another Thomian followed his footsteps - Robert Senanayake. Royal, too had a galaxy of past stalwarts who served the game well, be it at school or for its development in the country. S. S. Jayawickrema, F.C. de Saram, a cricketer, administrator, coach par excellence. Both Royal and S.Thomas' since the inception took up to maintain its true traditions - (uninterrupted) for 125 years.

With a vision to boost the re-development of their institutions on and off the field with a joint team effort Tissa Jayasinghe Jt. Chairman of the 'Blue's 125th Carnival Committee, said at a media briefing held on Feb 9, all have rallied around for this great happening - three-day fiesta from Feb.26, 27 and 28. The funds accrued are not for wine and song but to restructure the areas of both schools which need re-development.

It will be in aid of skills development, career guidance, counselling centre at Royal and the Library Development project at S. Thomas'. The Carnival will be held at the Mt. Lavinia School.

NSB main sponsor
The National Savings Bank has come forward as the Principal sponsor and M/s. Brandix Lanka Ltd., as co-sponsor. NSB has come up in a big way. Their working director Mr. Anil Rajakaruna and a director of Brandix Lanka Ltd. were there personally to give more strength. A fine gesture indeed said Jayasinghe.

There will be a musical extravaganza - Sohan and the Experiments, 'Misty' and 'Ultimate' in attendance. Stalls aplenty, be it trade or otherwise. There is fun and frolic for all age groups to make it a pleasant evening amid a gentle breeze blowing from the blue ocean.

The Warden of S.Thomas' David Ponniah said, the joint committee has left no stone unturned. All the areas have been looked into - including security - a shuttle bus service is planned. The Traffic Police will co-ordinate parking facilities.

A giant TV screen will project the Sri Lanka Australia one-day Int. on Feb 28. Suntel WOW is hosting web-site 'htip/blues125wowik' of the Carnival. MTV Channel and MBC Networks of the Maharaja Group has come forward as the official media sponsors.

Mr. Upali Gunasekera, the newly appointed Principal of Royal has already made an impact at the Reid Av. School. He said that he was happy to be in the midst when Royal were celebrating their 125th anniversary cricket encounter. It's a rare milestone. It's one of the main events and a new landmark in the history of the two institutions.

Soft-spoken Gunasekera, is a firm disciplinarian on and off the field, did much for Isipatana, before he moved to Royal. The last time the two schools got involved in a joint effort was in 1979 when the 'Blues' carnival in the Centenary game.

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