Dharmaraja First XI team felicitated at Rajans Cricket Awards
View(s):Dharmaraja College Cricket Foundation inaugurated the Rajans Cricket Awards, where the members of the leading cricket playing school from the hill country capital were felicitated for their outstanding achievements during the ended Inter-School Cricket Season. The event was held on May 3rd at the Dharmaraja College Auditorium, under the patronage of the school’s Principal, Mr. Kamal Ariyasinghe, who graced the occasion as chief guest.
The Rajans First XI team enjoyed a remarkable season, under the captaincy of Dulara Bandulasena, recording eight outright wins during the ended two-day tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association. This is termed as the best number of wins recorded by Dharmaraja College during a single season.
In addition, the Rajans cricketers recorded an exceptional win of an innings and 69 runs against traditional rivals, Kingswood College in their 117th annual big match encounter played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium played on March 22nd and 23rd. The last time Dharmaraja won the big match encounter was in 2017 and it was after seven years that they laid hands on the prestigious T.B. Tennakoon Memorial Trophy.
Under the captaincy of Dulara Bandulasena, Charmaraja openers Pulindu Perera (92and with Onajith de Silva (60) build a partnership for 152 points in the first inning of the match to pile up 325 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. In return Kingswood College were bundled out for 178 runs and 78 runs in both innings, with Dakshika Manukalpa claiming 8 wickets for 30 runs.
At the felicitation Dulara Bandulasena and Dakshitha Manukalpa, who contributed immensely to Dharmaraja’s emphatic big match win, and four centurions — Pulindu Perera, Isuru Pannala, Onajith De Silva and Lakvin Abeysinghe who ended the season with three centuries scoring over 800 runs – were rewarded with special prizes for their tireless efforts for Dharmaraja during the cricket season.
In addition all members of the school team, were presented with plaques and mementos for accomplishing their responsibilities and given roles in helping restore the glory of cricket at Dharmaraja College. The team included Dulara Bandulasena as captain, Pulindu Perera as vice captain, Lakvin Abeysinghe, Isuru Pannala, Onajith de Silva, Arosha Mahagedara, Nisala Abeyrathne, Dakshika Manukalpa, Lakvin Abeysinghe, Irusha Jayawardane, Sheshan Marasinghe, Chamath Ekanayake, Dayan Wijesekara, Janidu Dissanayaka, Amantha Weerasekara, Matheesha Rupasinghe, Lalitha Dissanayake, Onija Sesath, Kavindu Gunaratne, Hirun Maduranga and Sanuka Rathnayake.
In addition team officials Senaka Dissanayake (Coach), Saliya Samarawickrama (Prefect of Games), Duminda Bandara (Master in-Charge) and the old boys who contributed to Dharmaraja’s success in cricket during the ended season, were recognised and felicitated at the event. The young and aspiring cricketers of the college, representing the Under-13 age category, were also recognised at the same event, where the Under-13 ‘A’ team were aptly acknowledged for reaching the Division ‘A’ semi-finals the ended season after almost two decades. The junior ‘B’ and ‘C’ teams were also present at the event.
The event was inaugurated, with the intension of holding it annually, by the Charmaraja College Cricket Foundation, where all its members were present at the event. Also gracing the evening were Nishantha Ellepola, the President of the school’s Old Boys’ Union, Indrajith Boyagoda, the President of the Colombo Branch of the Old Boys’ Union, Gamini Jayasinghe, the President of Kandy District Cricket Association, and Thanuja Godewatte, the President of Dharmaraja College Cricket Foundation.