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‘Battle of the Blues’ continues with all its glamour
By Bernie Wijesekera
125th uninterrupted Royal-Thomian encounters have many firsts in the annals of Sri Lanka cricket. It has with all its glamour and played for the right reasons. Both teams maintained the spirit of the game, said Dr. Hans Wijesuriya, the CEO of Dialog GSM, at a media briefing held at Hotel Galadari to finalise the programme for this great happening, which will be held at the SSC grounds on March 11, 12 and 13.

Wijesuriya said, since year 2,000 Dialog has joined forces being the main sponsor of the "Battle of the Blues". The 125th anniversary game will be played for the D.S. Senanayake trophy. The late D.S. Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka played for the Thomians and in latter life continued to maintain the dignity of the two traditional schools as the Head of State for others to emulate. This match-cum-social contest has gone uninterrupted for 125 years. Dialog hopes to continue with an unbroken partnership.

The Warden of S.Thomas' Dr. David Ponniah (made a debut 100). He gave a brief history of the encounter. One of the oldest in the world, commencing in 1880, despite two world wars. The game in other countries like England and Australia came to a standstill as a result. But the "Battle of the Blues" went on without let or hindrance. The Warden said, strict security measures would be taken with the assistance of the Police and the Services. Last year there were some unpleasant incidents where some VIP's children apparently joined by some others trying to create scenes. No one is going to stop them from enjoying him or herself.

The Principal of Royal, Mr. Upali Gunasekera, too endorses that discipline must begin at home. Schools are not answerable outside its precincts. Finally the Warden said, it's not records or the final outcome what matters in the end, but the uninterrupted fellowship and camaraderie has taken a firm root since its inception. That's what Royal-Thomian is all about. Two of the oldest captains were honoured at this confab: -

Legendary Bertie Wijesinha, who captained the Thomian team in 1938, but lost the match. But in 1939 made amends when he led them to victory. Pint-sized Bertie has done kings-sized job for his school, SSC and Sri Lanka cricket, be it as player, administrator, and commentator (with his old Royalist friend Lucian de Zoysa Both were knowledgeable commentators. The other being Gamini Salgado. A charming personality on and off the field who led Royal to victory in 1942.

The two captains who led the Centenary match in 1979, former Sri Lanka skipper Ranjan Madugalle (Royal) and Johan Pieris (STC). But Pieris was away from the country. He was deputised by Mahinda Halangoda.

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