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Tissa, an unsung hero in cricket administration
A Walk Down Memory Lane
By Bernie Wijesekera
Driving down the main Nawala-Nugegoda road on many an evening, you can see a frail figure standing on top of Malwatte Road, Nawala watching the traffic passing by. However a closer look at him will reveal that he was once a man who shouldered almost the entire cricket machinery of Sri Lanka for over a decade and the latter part almost single handedly.

Tissa Gunaratne a diehard old Royalist also contributed much for the Reid Avenue School and for Sri Lanka Cricket as an administrator. Gunaratne now an octogenarian is leading a quiet life in retirement. He has the time still to serve his old school. He worked in the Royal College Union, until he called it a day after a long stint recently.

Gunaratne, prior to his stint at the BCCSL, worked as an area manager at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation when Daham Wimalasena was its chairman. After leaving Petroleum, Gunaratne was invited by Daham Wimalasena the then vice president to join the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka in 1985 as assistant administrative secretary to Major Gen. B.R. Heyn, who was secretary.

Daunting task
Gunaratne said, "It was a daunting task unlike at present times. We had only 12 members in the official staff. But we managed our affairs quite satisfactorily. Nuski Mohamed was the secretary. During the period after gaining ICC status in 1981, the inaugural test match at the P. 'Saravanamuttu Stadium', against England was a memorable occasion. Sri Lanka was led by Bandula Warnapura and England by Keith Fletcher. Sri Lanka lost the match, but gave notice and deserved entry to the elite test club. Our entry attributes to the hard work put up by the past administrators and cricketers on and off the field with total commitment. Late P. Saravanamuttu, Robert Senanayake, Dr. N.M. Perera etc. worked tirelessly to achieve it".

"Cricketers of the calibre of Sargo Jayawickrema, F.C. de Saram, M. Sathasivam, C.I. Gunasekera, Bertie Wijesinha, Mahes Rodrigo, Ben Navaratne, Laddie Outschoorn matched their skills against the world's best. Later followed the likes of Gamini Goonesena, Stanley Jayasinghe, Anura Tennekoon, H.I.K. Fernando, Michael Tissera, Clive Inman etc., Sri Lanka is second to none in the international scene. Though not yet a test playing nation they matched against the best in the sub-continent - India and Pakistan. These past great cricketers had a hard time to keep their image alive with their own resources. The Sri Lanka tie had to be earned and not given on a platter" said, Gunaratne.

In 1990 Gen. Heyn retired as administrative secretary and Gunaratne was appointed in his place. President was Tyronne Fernando, Neil Perera secretary and Bertram Perera was the treasurer. "The Ex-co had a set of dedicated men who had the know-how and experience. There was a staff of 15 on the check roll. They all worked as a team with no figureheads".

Gunaratne continued. "The 1992 World Cup was held in Australia and New Zealand. Aravinda de Silva led the Lankan team. The year 1993, was a hectic year for Sri Lanka cricket. Four test playing nations toured Sri Lanka. - New Zealand, England, India and South Africa. They gave the local players that much needed exposure and competition at the highest level".

Diminutive Tissa, was the cog-in-the-wheel and left no stone unturned. He was highly commended for his administrative skills. He handled it without let or hindrance. The local and foreign media lauded him.

In 1992 Aug. 28 late Sir Colin Cowdrey, visited Sri Lanka. Pint-sized Tissa was entrusted the task of looking into his personal needs - including trip to Nuwara-Eliya. Cowdrey congratulated him for a job well done. Also presented a book written by Tony Lewis, which was autographed by him.

Then explaining an incident which occurred in 1993 the former cricket administrator said "Martin Crowe was in full cry. Batting effortlessly. At forward short leg Asanka Gurusinha picked up the ball off the ground. The close in cordon shouted 'alluwa kiapan'. The head umpire ruled the batsman out. But Crowe unmoved stood his ground. Then the umpire consulted the leg umpire. He said not out. He revoked the decision. Martin smashed a sparkling 116". At the presentation ceremony held at Galadari after the series, late President J.R. Jayewardene was the Chief Guest. BCCSL president Fernando gave Crowe a special award for not walking out".

"In the 1996 World Cup staged in the sub-continent India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka Ana Punchhewa, was the president who did an excellent job with his professional skills. It was marshalled by him. Sri Lanka climbed the pinnacle - winning the World Cup by defeating Australia in the final at Lahore".

Tissa a glutton for work did a king-sized job. "In the same year - 1996, the Emirates Board, in Sharjah invited him and his wife to witness the triangular series between Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand. This was the only reward. I got for working from 1985-'97".

Right Royal work
In what way did you contribute for Royal? In 1985 - Secretary of the J.R. Jayewardene Pavilion committee with Daham Wimalasena, Chairman and Asoka Jayasinghe, treasurer. This project was part of the 150th anniversary celebrations. Target 4 million, was completed on schedule.

Gunaratne, a 'man of steel' , the most wanted man in the 1979 Centenary "Battle of the Blues', was the secretary of the Organising Committee. He worked round the clock tirelessly looking into all areas. In the end he was showered with a bouquet of Red Roses for a job well done.

What a match it was. This scribe covered it. In the brink of defeat on the third day Royal sitting directly just two wickets for victory. The Thomians sitting on a bed of nails. With a typical Thomian grit, Mahinda Halangoda and C.P.P. Richard saved the game. Tissa, a man for all seasons when it comes to the Royal Thomian retired, saying the spirit of the 'Battle of the Blues' will be there for another century. In his last chapter of his career at the Reid Avenue school was in 1999. Royal College Sports Complex - a brainchild of Hemaka Amerasuriya, secretary, Capt. Ajith Peiris tresurer, Thanula Wijewardena. Hemaka, co-opted Tissa, to the committee advised him to collect Rs. 5 million - a project costing 75 million. Not five but filled the coffers with 13 million.

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