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Appreciation
Gamini Dissanayake – He guided the ship
The late Honourable Gamini Dissanayake's illustrious political career has been amply documented. His contribution to cricket and specifically, to gaining the much awaited and coveted Test status in the early 1980's may not be as well known.

There was no doubt that Mr. Dissanayake was one of the prime movers in ultimately securing the "Eighth Test Playing Nation" status for Sri Lanka. His wealth of knowledge on the intricacies of politics and people would have helped him vastly in achieving this.

Our first tour to England as a Test team was in 1984. As can be imagined, there was a lot of anxiety as to how we would perform on this tour, which was one-off Test match. This meant a month of cricket against the countries and then the eagerly awaited inaugural Test match at the Mecca of Cricket - Lords.

Traditionally there is a dinner hosted by the English Cricket Board at Lords on the eve of the match for the two teams and all the dignitaries involved in the game of cricket. This includes past greats and members of the MCC as well. This function will always remain in my memory for one reason and only one reason - the speech delivered by the late Mr. Gamini Dissanayake as the President of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board!

I specifically remember being seated on this momentous occasion, next to the former President of MCC, Mr. Charles Fry, the son of one of English cricketing 'greats', Mr. C.B. Fry. It was particularly exciting for me to meet Mr. Charles Fry as I was a follower of his father's book on batsmanship. Mr. Gamini Dissanayake was to speak after the introductory speeches and his talk was to be followed by the Chairman of the English Cricket Board, who, I recall was also the Chairman of British Airways at that time. We eagerly awaited his turn as this was the first exposure of a member of the Sri Lankan Cricketing fraternity to the august English Cricketing community.

It must have been the occasion that inspired him to deliver such a speech!
We listened with growing admiration and awe. The pin drop silence and rapt attention of the entire audience was a testament to his performance. An amazing depth of knowledge, great humour and amusing cricketing anecdotes articulately delivered, all blended into a masterly speech.

I still recall the opening lines of the responding Chairman of the English Cricket Board. "How does one follow Mr. Gamini Dissanayake's speech?"
We left the function walking tall.... and it showed the next day!

Thank you, Sir.
Sidath Wettimuny,
Former Sri Lankan Test Cricketer.

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