Police felicitate basketball great Andrew

by Rex Clementine

There was a time when the Eastern city of Batticaloa produced the cream of Sri Lankan basketball. St. Michael’s College were blessed with American Jesuit priest Rev. Fr. E.J. Hebert and his products were well drilled on the fundamentals of the game.

Andrew Anthonypillai was one such player having excelled for St. Michael’s from under-13 onwards. He captained St. Michael’s College team that went onto win several championships and ended his school days winning the under-19 title in 1984.

After finishing his school days, Andrew joined Police in 1987 and was an integral part of the side for 11 seasons and in the process went onto represent the national basketball team.

Popular as a sharp shooter with an ability to score three points in crunch situations, Andrew was an all-round player who built up a reputation as a good defender and rebounder. Above all, he earned the respect of his colleagues as a good team man.

Salinda Samarakoon, Andrew’s captain at Police for three years called him a ‘a natural talent’ while another Police captain Nalin Weerawardene called him ‘someone who never let the Police team down.’

Andrew migrated to the United Kingdom after marriage and was in Sri Lanka recently for a brief visit. The Police took the opportunity to felicitate him for his services to the Police and Sri Lankan basketball.

The felicitation ceremony was held with the support of Senior DIG Sanjeewa Darmarathne, Chairman of Police Basketball and Erwin Prasanna, Secretary of Police Basketball.