By M. J. M. Zarook
The Court of Appeal yesterday issued notice on the Minister of Samurdhi, Youth Affairs and Sports, S. B. Dissanayake and the other respondents cited in the writ applications in connection with the forthcoming elections to the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka inter alia but refused to grant the interim order prayed for by the petitioners to stay the holding of the Annual General Meeting of the BCCSL.
The Bench comprised Justices Hector S. Yapa and Upali de Z. Gunawardena.
The applications for writs of certiorari and mandamus were filed by S. Ramakrishna of Paradise (Isuru), Colombo Road, Kuruwita, W.J.A. Fernando of Horana Road, Panadura. S. H. Rajakaruna of Hotel Duro, Kollupitiya and C. V. Goonesekera of Silva Road, Kalutara challenging the new classification of major cricket tournaments approved by the Minister of Sports which they claimed would make a number of persons, especially outstation members ineligible for election to the BCCSL.
The respondents cited were the Minister of Samurdhi, Youth Affairs, and Sports, S. B. Dissanayake, Sports Ministry Secretary, Dr. R. M. K. Ratnayake, Additional Secretary, J. C. Pinnawela, National Sports Council Chairman, Tony Jayawardena, President of the BCCSL, Upali Dharmadasa, Vice President, Thilanga Sumathipala, Secretary, Tryphon Mirando and the other members of the Executive Committee including Duleep Mendis.
Mr. Faiz Musthapha PC with Mr. Sanjeewa Jayawardena instructed by D. M. Swaminathan Associates appeared for Mr. Ramakrishna.
Mr. D.S. Wijesinghe, PC, Mr. E. D. Wikramanayake, and Mr. Sanjeewa Jayawardene appeared for the other three petitioners instructed by D. M. Swaminathan Associates.
Mr. L. C. Seneviratne, PC with Mr. Hemaka de Alwis and Arjuna Weerasinghe instructed by D. M. Thurairajah and Company appeared for Thilanga Sumathipala. M. R. K. W. Goonesekera with Mr. J. C. Welimamuna and Ms. Subodhya Wijetunga instructed by Mr. B. Chandana Perera appeared for the 13th and 21st respondents.
Mr. S. L. Gunasekera with Mr. N. R. Sivendran instructed by Mr. E. S. Harischandra appeared for B. S. Perera and Duleep Mendis.
Mr. Romesh de Silva, PC with Mr. Harsha Amerasekera instructed by Julius and Creasy appeared for Upali Dharmadasa, Tryphon Mirando and some other respondents.
After hearing counsel in support of the several petitions, Court issued notice on the respondents returnable on May 6. Court refused the interim order prayed for by the petitioners.
An old Servatian writes...
Post war captain of St. Servatius, H. S. Willie, in a letter to the Daily News gives us some interesting anecdotes on this series.
He recollects that this big match commenced in 1910 as a friendly encounter played between the teachers of the two schools. Rev. Fr. L. W. Wickramasinghe, the Principal of St. Servatius at that time too participated in this single wicket cricket with senior students making up the balance eleven.
The students eleven cricket took over in 1913 with double wicket cricket. This is the big match series which is still in existence.
Even exchanges at Panadura
St John's Panadura totalled 179 with the help of three good knocks from K. Niroshan (65), C. Kumara 22, and T. P. Thenuwara (21) in their 'Big Match' against Royal Panadura at the Municipal Grounds, Panadura, yesterday.
By close of play Royal Panadura had replied with 84 for 3 with skipper Chamara Silva top scoring with 31.
The match will be continued at 9.30 a.m. today.
Chief scores.
St. John's 179 all out (K. Niroshan 65, C. Kumara 22, T. P. Thenuwara 21, W. Hemal 4 for 37, Dilruk Gayanga 2 for 29, Chamara Silva 2 for 24).
Royal Panadura 84 for 3 (Deshabandu 11, A. Perera 20, Chamara Silva 31, S. Indika 1 for 14, T. Sudarshana 2 for 20). (P.J.)
Lakmal 93
From Edward Weerasinghe, our Kelaniya Group Correspondent
Lakmal Rajapakse missed out on a century by seven runs as Sri Dharmaloka MV hit up a first day total of 269 for 6 declared in their 11th annual cricket encounter against Gurukula MV played at R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.
Gurukula will resume on 36 for one wicket today at 9 a.m.
Sri Dharmaloka MV 269 for 6 decl. (L. Rajapakse 93, T.B. Gamage 53 n.o., J. Rajapakse 45, M. Sashiratne 22, J. Niroshan 2 for 42)
Gurukula MV 36 for one at close.