| Donald,
first Adastrian P ‘Sara’ Captain
On a crowded Sunday while most people were busy doing shopping in
preparation for the Sinhala and Hindu New Year, I took time off
to meet my old friend, Asoka Devamitta Donald Perera. Perera who
was one of the members of Nalanda’s invincible team of 1949
led by M.A. Lincoln Perera.
That
year Nalanda dominated the school cricket scene. The team had a
galaxy of starts which included the likes of Stanley Jayasinghe
– the first Nalandian to represent the national team as a
schoolboy, the Obeysekera twins Carl and late Valentine, late Ashley
de Silva, Sarath Hewagama, W.J. Jayasuriya, W.H.S. Samarasekera,
W.W. Silva .
Donald as a utility allrounder played with much success from 1949-’51.
Q:
Was cricket your first love?
A: Yes. Played softball cricket in the backyards of Temple
Road, Maradana close to our school Nalanda Collage and learnt the
skills to play a straight bat. One could learn much from softball
cricket. It helped me to be a sedate opener or even to bat at No.
3.
Q:
Any noteworthy contributions?
A: I made 85 against Zahira Maradana. In that era there
were no turf pitches unlike at present times, but bouncy hard matting
wickets. Only turf match was played during the Big Match against
Ananda at the then Oval.
Q:
After leaving school you joined the Sri Lankan Air Force?
A: Yes, as an Aircraftman.
Q:
Who were your compatriots at the Air Force.
A: We had some of the best in the likes of boxer Doland
Labrooy, K.M. Nelson, Hemasiri Fernando, W.S. Silva, Hettige etc.
I retired as a Flight Sergeant.
Q:
Anything special in your career as an Airman?
A: I was the first Air Force cricketer to play for the
combined Services under General B.R. Heyn, in the BCCSL quadrangular
tournament from 1955, 56’ 57 and 58. Besides that I was also
the first Adastrians (SLAF) captain in 1962 when they got promoted
to play in the P. ‘Sara’ Trophy.
My vice-captain was late Kirthi Caldera that outstanding wicket-keeper
batsman. Then we had W.S. Silva, K.M. Nelson (a crafty bowler tagged
as bogeyman), S. Hettige and Hemasiri Fernando.
Q:
Who was your cricketing idol?
A: C. Ivers Gunasekera the cavalier batsman. He batted
with late Aussie legend Keith Miller for the Commonwealth XI against
England led by Nigel Howard at the Oval – a double hundred
stand with Miller was the showpiece. They could have matched the
world’s best despite not playing test cricket.
Today Donald is unheard and unsung leading a humble life and physically
handicapped unable to move about freely. He is being looked after
by his life-long partner (wife) Kamala.
Donald
and his namesake Donald Labrooy that outstanding national boxer,
too lives in close proximity. Labrooy too is suffering in silence.
They apparently are the forgotten heroes of the Air Force, who did
proud for the Service. There may be others too. Over to Nalanda’s
Past Cricketers’ Association to help the likes of Donald Perera.
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