Upali Mahanama bids adieu
There marked the end of and distinguished inning of Dr Upali Mahanama, an Old Nalandian and father of sons Devaka and Roshan. He walked back to the pavilion of destiny last Tuesday, after a brief illness, just four days shy of his 77th birthday.
Besides being a brilliant sportsman at Nalanda Upali, was a fine student too. With his exceptional command of both, written and spoken English and Sinhala, he led the Nalanda College English and Sinhala debating teams.
This fine sportsman held the Nalanda College Pole Vault record. Upali represented Nalanda at Table Tennis, Cricket, Soccer and Athletics. He was a member of the 1959 Nalanda Cricket team led by that elegant left handed batsman Sarath Silva. Jayawickrema Perera, Parakrama Perera, Nihal Amaradasa, Dunstan De Silva, Nihal Jayasinghe and Thilak Thalakada were some his teammates. Upali was a fine baila singer and, in victory or defeat, Upali was their to uplift the team’s spirits with his singing. At the same time when he held the microphone as a compere he always stood stall.
On leaving school, Upali chose Marketing as a career. Upali was a reputed International Marketing Consultant and Corporate Trainer who was the Marketing Consultant of 42 leading local establishments and a visiting lecturer at 11 universities in South Asia. He was a founder-member of SLIM as well.
Upali led the Division III Cricket team of Bloomfield C&AC. He was the President of the Mercantile Cricket Association, President of the Umpires’ Association and Chairman of the Jaycees International World Training team.
In life, Upali stood out for the way he came forward to help anyone needing his help in any way. He was a father not only to Devaka and Roshan, but to anyone who sought his advice and help when in need. A man who never ‘ducked’ challenges and stood up to them with unflinching courage.
Upali’s guidance to Devaka and Roshan made them citizens of repute. Both representing Nalanda, while Devaka left to Australia to play club cricket, Roshan was an important member of the Sri Lanka Cricket team which won the ICC World Cup in 1966. Later Roshan led the National team. He was a much respected member of the Elite Panel of Match Referees of the ICC.
Upali leaves his wife Swarna and the two sons, along with his much beloved grandchildren.