The New Scoreboard Opened At Dharmapala, Pannipitiya
The new cricket scoreboard of the Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya was declared open & vested to the school by Air Chief Marshal ( Retired ) Oliver Ranasinghe amidst a distinguished gathering of past pupils & well wishers who were invited for the occasion. The Chief Guest was a much decorated Flying Officer & a former Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force. As a schoolboy he was Captain of Cricket & Athletics & also played Soccer.
The Guest of Honour was Kolitha Wickramasinghe, a past pupil who is a silent philanthropist. Managing Director of Salota International, he is involved in the Cargo Logistics sphere. He is President of Sri Lanka – Russia Business Council & serves as a Member of the Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders Association. Also in attendance was Romesh Jayathilake – Marketing Manager, CBL Munchee – the over 50 years old award – winning local food manufacturing conglomerate.
The Principal is Maheshika Rupasinghe – the first Lady to hold the post in the 80 year history of this Olcott School. A past pupil of Pushpadana Girl’s School in Kandy, she had played Hockey. She is also a Class One Sri Lanka Education Administrative Services career officer.
The cricket scoreboard building project was an initiative by a group of dedicated past pupils. The Executive Committee of this much needed project was also present at the occassion. W. L Withanage was one of the best ever cricketers produced by Dharmapala. He was a National Squad Poolist for 08 years, played in a Gopalan Trophy match in India, a Junior National Coach & Provincial Coach of the Cricket Board. Professional Banker, Prasad Amarasekara was a former cricket captain who became the Best Outstation Schoolboy Cricketer. The initiation & leadership was by Jayantha Witharanage, also a former captain who played in the Soccer team too. He was selected as Outstation Schoolboy Cricketer too. Anura Jayathilake was a former Cricket captain who played A division cricket in Inter Club & Nationalised Services level. Premakeerthi Athukorale was a former cricketer & footballer at school. He played in A division Nationalised Services & Inter Club cricket. Later as an Umpire he officiated in Sri Lanka & Australia. Rohana Samarakoonwas also a cricketer & footballer at school. He also played A division cricket in Nationalised Services & Inter Club tournaments. Ananda Elvitigala, a former cricket captain played in Nationalised Services & Inter Club tournaments. The past pupils & well wishers had contributed towards the success of this project.
The renovated ground is one of the most attractive facilities of a school in the country. The turf wickets, separate rugby & soccer field together with the 400 track is a huge advantage to one of the largest mixed schools in the country. The student population is over 4700 with a tutorial staff of over 200. It is also one of two mixed schools amongst 08 leading Buddhist Schools of the country, initiated by legendary American philanthropist, Sir Henry Steel Olcott.
The event was well organised & conducted by the Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya staff & children.
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