Accomplished Royalist Mihin honoured with Lorenz Pereira Trophy
View(s):The Deputy Head Prefect of Royal College, Mihin Wanigasekara, also the captain of the unbeaten 2024 water polo team, was honoured with the Lorenz Pereira Trophy for the Most Outstanding Sportsman, the most prestigious award at Royal College for sportsmen. The trophy carries extra meaning as it is named after Lorenz Pereira, one of Royal’s greatest all-rounders, who personally met and congratulated Mihin during his short visit to Sri Lanka.
At 86-years of age, Pereira is remembered as a sporting legend. He captained both the cricket and tennis teams in 1958, served as Head Prefect, earned four College Colours, and won the Donhorst Memorial Prize for the most outstanding all-round student. A superb ruggerite, he played for the school in 1957 and 1958 before going on to represent CH&FC and later captain Sri Lanka in 1968.
Royal College Principal Athula Wijewardhana (left) with Deputy Head Prefect and Lorenz Pereira Award winner Mihin Wanigasekara, flanked by legendary Royalist Lorenz Pereira
Now based in Australia, Pereira returned for a brief visit and was deeply moved when he met Mihin. At the Principal’s office, he praised the young sportsman’s balance of sports, studies, and culture, calling him an example of the proud Royal tradition.
Under Mihin’s leadership, the Royal water polo team enjoyed an unbeaten 2024 season winning the President’s Trophy, the Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy, the SLASU Championship, the SLSASA Championship and the Royal-Nalanda Challenge Shield. He was also named Most Valuable Player at the 31st Hayman Trophy encounter, adding personal recognition to the team’s collective success.
Mihin has also earned College Colours both in swimming and water polo, underlining his versatility across aquatic sports. Mihin’s achievements extend well beyond the pool. He secured the Class Prize in Physical Science in Grade 13, and achieved three ‘A’ passes at the G.C.E. Advanced Level in Mathematics. He is also a versatile musician.