Seekkuge Prasanna

It is said that suffering brings about endurance and endurance brings hope. That proverb sums up with Seekkuge Prasanna – the budding leg spinner and useful batsman who could arguably walk in to the Sri Lankan team in the near future.

“My family lost everything to the Tsunami that hit Sri Lanka four years ago. I thank God that I did not lose any of my family members. I have three younger brothers and three younger sisters. My father makes fishing nets for a living and for a time he could not do even that. I was at the Army and though they told I could go home I did not want to. Whenever I went to visit them I would stay at a friends place and go there in the afternoons because it was too depressing for me to see them living in a hut. In addition I was even more determined to better myself at cricket and any one can vouch for the fact that I did not miss a single game. One other good thing that happened during that period was that one of my friends after getting my permission married one of my sisters and whatever money I earn I send to family who are now living in Kosgoda. We got a house just one and a half years ago.” said Prasanna.

Prasanna played for Balapitiya Revatha MMV before moving on to Singha SC. There he was spotted by Army scouts and asked whether he was interested in playing cricket. He accepted the offer gladly and now is an integral part of Army who are making their debut in Tier One of the premier domestic club cricket tournament.

This humble young man has made some outstanding contributions both for his club and for the Sri Lankan Development team and Board Eleven whenever he has got the opportunity. For example in the recent four day game against Bangladesh A on a flat pitch at Dambulla Prasanna grabbed six wickets. When asked how he managed this feat, Prasanna said; “In the second over I got a wicket and from then on I realized that if I pitched the ball on the same spot and use my variations I could get wickets and that is what I did.

Speaking further Prasanna said: “I started off as an opening batsman and did quite well. One of my coaches suggested I bowl a bit of spin as well and once I started I have not looked back. I have about four different variations at the moment and I am working on more. People say my action is like that of a medium pacer or a combination of Anil Kumble and Shane Warne. Spin coach Piyal Wijetunge is helping me out.”
When asked about what he enjoys doing when he not playing cricket and his goals, Prasanna said: “I want to bowl in tandem with Ajantha Mendis for the Sri Lanka on the international stage. I enjoy working especially with Mendis whenever he is here and right now my focus is on making in to the National team and obviously to help Army do well this season.”

The man who brought Mendis and Prasanna to the limelight and in the process revived cricket at Army is none other than Major General V. R. Silva. When asked about his modus operandi he said; “It is simple.
I have a bunch of enthusiastic soldiers who are past their prime as far as playing cricket is concerned.

With the blessings of the Army Commander I send these soldiers to watch inter school and friendly matches. I have three are categories for those who play cricket at the junior level. First there are players who compete for the fun of it, then there are those who just want to add it on to their certificate as an extra curricular activity and lastly – and this the category I look for – there are players who are competitive, have a winning mentality and can motivate the rest of the players even when their team is in a bad situation.”

He added: “My scouts make the initial approach and if they are not successful and I speak to the parents myself as was the case with Mendis. I concentrate mainly on young cricketers in the North Central and Southern Provinces because obviously cricketers from Colombo schools would have other priorities like furthering their education etc.
In addition some Colombo coaches have said they don’t get the loyalty they expect from some players. Here we do not have that problem. Other than cricketing skills we also help players build up their character, mental toughness and stamina. There is period which lasts for about two to three years for players to make the transition from school cricket to the next level. Everyone has to go through this period. There are no short cuts to success. And in my opinion Prasanna can play for Sri Lanka.

Silva said in conclusion; “As you know this is the first time we are playing in the top tier, obviously we want to win it. I do not wish to mention anything else right now. Suffice to say that the approach we use this year may well be what the Sri Lankan team adopts next year. And yes we have a few more players who can make the grade, but it would be premature for me to name them.”