Shelley and others remembered by Bloomfielders
View(s):Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club premises took a religious atmosphere yesterday as the 3rd Commemoration of its past presidents, cricketers, office-bearers and members took place at the club pavilion attended by a large gathering.
The normal noise of the pavilion and the bar that prevails commonly on weekends took a back seat when the day’s proceedings commenced with the arrival of the guests of honour – a bunch of tiny children from the Lauris Home for Children who sat calm and quietly in front of the rostrum to listen to the Dhamma Sermon delivered by Ven Telwatte Nandatissa Nayake Thera, chief incumbent of the F.R. Senanayakaramaya.
Family members, relatives, present members and office bearers were present at the occasion attired in white sat emotionally on the floor and listen to the sermon. Soon after the bana sermon the little kids were offered a delicious dinner and were given gift packets.
Annually this event is an important one in the club’s calendar in reminiscent of the past memories of its cricketers, office-bearers and members who rendered yeoman services to the club to prevail over one hundred years. The name that stood above all of them was Shelley Wickremasinghe known as the live wire of the club held the central spot at the commemoration. This gentleman par excellence served the club that he loved so much for over twenty five years as the President devoted his time, knowledge and some time his wealth to the welfare of the club. Shelley’s tenure as the president was the golden era of the club. The present club house and the grounds at Reid Avenue was a result of Shelly’s greatest efforts. He took great pains in finding a ground for the club once the authorities wanted the premises at Campbell Park to be vacated and Shelley was helped by the then Minister of Sports , the late K.B. Ratnayake in finding this land.
Late cricketers who served the club with distinction were Norton Frederick, Anura Ranasinghe, D.L.S. De Silva, Sunil Jayasinghe, Wasantha Seneviratne, S. Illangaratnam, Terrence Perera, Bonny Wijesinghe, Lucky Abeywardene and Noel Perera along with the other late office-bearers and members were commemorated with respect at the presence of present cricketers who saluted their former stalwarts.
To see this cricketers in action thousands of cricket fans flock to every match that Bloomfield played as the spectators got their monies worth to see entertaining batting displays and superb allround qualities. Bloomfield with a history of over a hundred years dominated cricket in Sri Lanka, winning every championship at their prime are due mainly to the sacrifice, commitment and dedication of its past cricketers. It is a gesture of highest class to commemorate every year this heroic cricketers along with other office bearers and members. Due to their efforts it is sure that the name of Bloomfield will bloom in any field.
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