The men behind the match!

By Dr. Hiran Wimalaratane and Eransaka Perera

Joint Committee Co-Chairmen

Every year 60 men, products of Royal and S. Thomas’, work for six months to plan, organise and conclude the hosting of the three-day and limited over matches.

It is voluntary work by a dedicated group focusing on secretarial, treasury, match arrangements, security, sponsorship, technical advisory, media, catering and school coordination. Every committee on each of these aspects is led jointly by men from both schools. It is a unique expression functionally of the spirit of the enterprise.

This year we are proud to celebrate the 125th year of the Royal College OBU and the 130th year of the STC OBA. The day-night nature of the limited over engagement is reflective of these celebrations. Our schools have from humble beginnings grown over so many years to provide men of exceptional qualities to lead on governance, administration, sciences and arts, sports, law and order, security, literature, justice and law within the and outside the country the result of visionary educationists who have silently, tirelessly and anonymously been the force behind  the products. We say this with humility acknowledging the fortunes and advantages enjoyed in the field of education.

Our combined heritage is captured by words of wisdom amended slightly, which say, “You belong to one of the best schools in the world, a school with splendid traditions and the most honourable name and I charge you to try and hand down those traditions and that name untarnished and unimpaired. Be proud of numbering you amongst its sons. Remember that whatever you do and where ever you go, your life and actions will reflect either credit or discredit on the College where you were and to which you owe so much; you have learned the best lessons in the world at school. I trust not only English and Classics and Mathematics but true manliness and truth, courage purity and all those things that make a man and a gentleman. Try never to forget them but be men and gentlemen always.”

We have several sponsors supporting us. Dialog as our Principal Sponsor, Media Sponsor Red FM and Product Sponsors from Hatton National Bank, Prima, Perera & Sons, Associated Motorways, Fonterra, Munchee Biscuits, TNT, UB Finance and Ice Man. 

We are indebted to the Colombo Municipality (CMC), the Colombo Police and men on duty, the security  personnel from companies on duty at the match, the Transport Board for the busses ferrying students to and from the match venue, the printer of tickets including for the unique security features embedded in each ticket, the match officials for umpiring and refereeing, the commentators, the beverages and food suppliers, administrators and ground staff at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, the staff proving and controlling lighting at the venue, the bands playing, the heads of both schools, the teams, technical and coaching staff, the prefects and stewards, the parents of the players and all our fans and spectators who make up the cast which enables the match to be a reality.

On behalf of the Joint Committee we welcome you at the Day Night Mustangs Trophy match on Saturday 19 March.