Sports

Bertie; all-rounder of Ananda staffroom

Published

6 years ago

2020/12/22

At our monthly meeting of the Ananda Past Teachers in September this year, in our house, while having lunch, I asked Bertie whether there are people called past teachers. He said yes of course and that he is a past teacher and I am one too. But what I then went on to ask him was, had he really retired?

Even though Bertie was not teaching maths any more very often teachers and Old Boys would continue to consult him. This is because when he was in school, there was no important function in which Bertie had no hand. In addition to his classroom work he was the Prefect of Games, the Boarding House master and the Secretary of the Teachers’ Guild and much more. No boy was out of his ken. He touched everyone in the upper school. Col Rajapakse depended very heavily on his support. Indeed the school was very fortunate to have him. The entire Big Match operation revolved round him. Everyone knows the varied tasks that go into the match and the funds that are involved. He would execute all tasks with such transparency and care that there was no unhappiness in the aftermath. He would do the match year in and year out with such aplomb. Indeed all sports activities found in him a true gentleman. He loved the game of cricket and played on week-ends. In addition he commanded the Cadet Corps, the training ground for many a general and war hero. We have seen how these generals, when they meet him forget their ranks and bow down to him.

He also ran the Boarding House on a tight schedule. He would brook no nonsense and woe unto the law breakers!. Even the junior staff were regimented and did not fall out of line. The minor staff found in him a strict but understanding master.

Prize Givings at Ananda were events of remarkable significance with very important guests attending. Bertie knew all of them and how on behalf of the school, to greet them.

As Secretary of the Teachers’ Guild, he would see the staff were in at the meeting. He would organise the annual trip and the annual dinner with such class and distinction that there was no one else who would dare to handle it after him.

Of course when Kumi came (she came with the blessings of Ananda, for Mr Rajapakse may have had a hand in the union) Bertie’s attention was divided but Kumi had to fight hard with Ananda, nevertheless.

Bertie was then called for work in the private sector where the staff looked up to him.

It is true Bertie left Ananda but did Ananda leave Bertie? Ask the numerous Old Boys who continually invited him for Old Boy functions and gatherings. Bertie was obliging and there at all these functions. The respect they had for their teacher continued to guide their relationships. Bertie would always maintain his dignity before them. When Old Boys came from overseas the first point of reference would of course be Bertie. There were instances when as a past teacher he helped the school events. The current teachers valued his advice.

In the early 90s D.L.B. Perera, a former Headmaster wanted to gather some of the former teachers together to renew acquaintance with them. Several teachers met and one of them was Bertie. As time passed DLB’s idea grew into what is now The Past Teachers’ Association. At that time no other school had their past teachers meeting. Bertie, the organiser he was, gave the meeting a structure and form. He it was who proposed that we should meet monthly in a member’s house rather than in the school. He saw that some fellowship should accompany the meetings and the school premises were improper. He proposed we award scholarships to poor children who had no hope of having an Ananda education. He went to far places in his car to look for suitable candidates and the Association was able to find funds for the project. Even today there are boys in the University sponsored by the Association. Many Old Boys contributed willingly to these projects.

In 2016 the Association celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Bertie who had been president for several years was elected to organise the function. All were proud of the event with good food and good fellowship.

Bertie was friendly to all but at the meetings he would query anything he thought was not accurate. He was a stickler for proper minutes and for follow-up of work. Many teachers thought he was critical of them but it was his army and Richmond training which wanted everything in order and to rule.

All that is left now it to be thankful to him for undertaking so much on behalf of all of us. We are thankful that he lived a full life and left us with such strong memories that nothing could deter his memory from our midst.

Upali Rathnayake

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Sports

57th Annual Saints’ Quadrangular Tournament on Saturday and Sunday

Published

5 hours ago

2026/10/15

Priyan

The much-anticipated 57th Annual Saints’ Quadrangular Tournament which brings together four of Sri Lanka’s leading Catholic schools, St. Anthony’s College, Kandy, St. Benedict’s College, Colombo 13, St.Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, and St. Peter’s College, Colombo 04, for a weekend of spirited competition, camaraderie and nostalgia is scheduled to take place this weekend (weather permitting).

This year’s tournament is being hosted by the St. Peter’s College Old Boys’ Union (SPCOBU) during its Centenary year, marking 100 years since the Union was founded in 1927. The Centenary celebrates a century of service to the College and the Peterite community, under the theme “Honouring the Past, Strengthening the Present, Inspiring the Peterite of Tomorrow.”

The origins of the ‘Saints Quadrangular Tournament’ trace back to 1963, during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of St. Benedict’s College. An open invitation was extended to schools across the country for a cricket tournament, and coincidentally, only the above three premier Catholic institutions joined

What began as a two-day cricket encounter has evolved into a multi-sport carnival that continues to embody the true spirit of sportsmanship and fraternity.

In 2002, the organizers introduced a 25-over Cricket Tournament for players aged 40 and above, allowing past cricketers to once again represent their beloved alma mater. Two years later, in 2004, Basketball was added to the lineup, enriching the event further given the strong basketball heritage of the four schools.

Continuing its evolution, 7-a-side Rugby was introduced in 2014, transforming the Saints’ Quadrangular into a vibrant sports carnival that now features three major sports across four tournaments namely Cricket, over 40 Cricket, Basketball, and Rugby.

This year the organizing committee has opened the doors to four sister schools as well. Good Sheperd Convent Kandy, Good Shepherd Convent Colombo, St Bridget’s Convent and Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya, are to play a six a side ladies’ softball cricket tournament and a ladies’ basketball tournament.

Each sport at the Quadrangular carries its own prestigious silverware:

The Quadrangular Trophy is awarded to the winners of the two Cricket tournaments.

The Very Rev. Fr. Joe E. Wickramasinghe Trophy is presented to the Basketball champions.

The Ranjith Samarasekera Challenge Trophy is awarded to the Overall winners of the tournament.

Sports

President’s Balika win gold at All Island School Games

Published

17 hours ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

President’s Balika Nawala, won the girls’ hockey title at the All Island Schools Games, held recently at the Astro Turf, Reid Avenue. It was the second consecutive year the school had claimed the title.

Nethuli Dinethmi, who played a vital role in the team’s success, was named Best Player of the tournament.The victorious team is pictured here with the school’s officials, namely, H.P.M.P.D.Hasanthi Pathirathna, Principal, S.K.Tharsha Ranasinghe, Vice Principal, M.D.D. Aloka Dissanayake, Teacher in Charge of Sports, R.P.D. Dilrukshi, Teacher in Charge of Sports and Chathura Kalum Rupasinghe (Coach).

(Pic by Thushara Athapaththu)

Sports

Sorry state of Sri Lanka’s T20 cricket

Published

17 hours ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

by Rex Clementine

Sri Lanka were once pioneers in limited overs cricket, setting the bar so high that the rest of the world was left scrambling to catch up. And mind you, this was not confined to the 50 over format, where Sri Lanka tore up the coaching manuals, embraced an unconventional brand of cricket and took the world by storm.

Even in T20 cricket, despite not possessing an abundance of power hitters, Sri Lanka punched well above their weight.

Clever improvisation, fearless innovation and a willingness to back unorthodox talent helped them make the cricketing world eat humble pie. Fast forward to the present, however, and the picture is anything but rosy. Sri Lanka’s T20 cricket is in a sorry state, and there is no hiding the mountain of work ahead.

In Pakistan, their shortcomings have been laid bare, with the team repeatedly found wanting and left high and dry.

Successive administrations have tried every trick in the book to arrest the slide. Power hitting coaches have been brought in, psychologists engaged, players given unrestricted access to franchise leagues and emerging talent afforded regular exposure. Yet, for all these efforts, Sri Lanka’s players, particularly the batters, have struggled to raise the bar.

The series defeat to Pakistan was Sri Lanka’s fifth this year. Add to that the disappointments at the World Cup and the Asian Games and the picture becomes even more depressing. True, Sri Lanka returned from Japan with a bronze medal, but India provided a brutal reminder of the widening gulf between the haves and the have nots.

So, where do Sri Lanka go from here?

The Cricket Committee would do well to pick the brains of captains and coaches who have cracked the T20 code in recent years. There is no shame in learning from those who have mastered the format. The challenge is to identify a blueprint for su ccess and see how best those ideas can be adapted to Sri Lankan cricket.

Head coach Gary Kirsten himself has worked with successful franchises around the world. Perhaps he should be given a free hand to bring in specialist expertise if he believes that is what the team needs.

For all the disappointments in T20 cricket, fielding had remained one area where Sri Lanka could still hold their heads high. Alarmingly, even that department is beginning to unravel. The wheels appear to be coming off in a discipline that was once a hallmark of Sri Lankan cricket.

There were, however, a few encouraging signs in the final game against Pakistan. The manner in which Kusal Mendis went about his business was a breath of fresh air. The Sri Lankan captain struck at an impressive 181, combining clean hitting with the sort of innovation that has been conspicuously absent from the team’s batting.

Kamindu Mendis, too, showed signs of returning to form and Sri Lankan supporters will be hoping the pair can carry that momentum into the triangular ODI competition, also featuring England, which gets underway later this week.

Sri Lanka badly missed Pathum Nissanka, their highest ranked T20I batter at number nine in the ICC rankings. His absence robbed the batting line up of much needed quality and consistency. To compound matters, a troublesome hamstring has left his participation in the ODI leg uncertain as well.

The occasional flash of brilliance may offer some comfort, but it cannot disguise the larger malaise. Sri Lanka were once the trendsetters in limited overs cricket. Today, they are struggling to keep pace with the rest. Unless there is a serious rethink, the gap will only grow wider.