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Rewriting Srilanka history based on scientific findings – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam History of Royal College Crest – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam Brief History of Royal College Boarding House (Hostel) – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam Swinging & Tampering of Ball – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam

Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam

Rewriting Srilanka history based on scientific findings – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam Image Source : tamilnet Mahawamsa which was first written by Bhikku Mahanama, has documented the history of Srilanka since the 3rd century CE. Though the record has been accepted as correct in most instances, there were discrepancies in para-history and proto-history. The concept of origin of Sinhala race as a result of union of a male lion with female human which is not biologically possible, is not acceptable. Also, the narrative regarding Lord Buddha making three unaided flying visits to Srilanka which is not     feasible, is not tenable. This makes the early part of Mahavamsa text prone to be challenged. As for proto-history, Mahawamsa is largely silent. It does not say about the people who inhabited the land and their civilisation. Modern advances have exposed data contrary to entrenched beliefs. It is postulated by geologists that Srilanka had once ...

Mar 29, 2024 Posted by In Articles, Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam Tagged , ,
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History of Royal College Crest – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam        (Excerpts from the book History of Royal College published in 1981) Royal College crest serves to identify the school from other schools and gives a seal and significance to documentation. However it had not been mentioned in any writing prior to 1892. As Ceylon was crown colony of the British Empire, the imperial emblem – The Lion and the Unicorn was the badge of the country. As Royal College, then known as Colombo Academy, was a government educational institute, it had to use the British Royal Arms. The first display of Royal crest was in the first College magazine of 1893. Subsequently there had been alterations made to Royal crest in 1910 and 1912. In 1922, the government sanctioned the issue of the new crest in place of the one used in the past. Description of the ...

Oct 17, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam Tagged , ,
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Brief History of Royal College Boarding House (Hostel) – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam (Excerpts from the book “Royal College School of our fathers” compiled by D.L. Seneviratne) The first boarding house of the Colombo Academy was established in San Sebastian in 1868. It had about 20 to 30 boys and the principals who lived in the premises, joined the boarders often for breakfast and dinner. Mr. Ashley Walker became the first boarding master in 1876, and cricket teams at the beginning were composed mostly of boarders. The boarding was on top floor of the main building, which was previously the Government House overlooking the Beira Lake, with a splendid view of the sea. The boarding was closed on around 1905. There was stern resistance to establishing the boarding again, as it was deemed to be a day school. However in 1939, due to much effort by RCU, a spacious bungalow ...

Oct 17, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam Tagged , ,
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INTERNATIONAL CRICKET VENUES IN SRILANKA – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam On Wednesday February 17 1982, when Bob Willis bowled to Bandula Warnapura, Sri Lanka became the eighth test playing country in cricket. That moment was none symbolic than the country arriving as a force in cricket. The honour of hosting that match fell on Colombo Oval, later renamed as P. Saravanamuttu stadium, the home ground of Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club. In seven months since ICC decision to grant test status to Srilanka in July 1981, preparations had been made for this match, and more than £100,000 had been spent on modernising that venue, to increase the capacity to more than 20,000. Subsequently tests and international games have been staged in other venues such as Sinhalese Sports Club, Asgiriya ground Kandy, Galle esplanade, Premadasa stadium, Colombo Cricket Club, Dambulla stadium, Pallekele stadium and Rajapakse stadium.   ...

Aug 29, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
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HISTORY OF TEA AND CRICKET IN SRILANKA – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam (Excerpts from the book by David Colin-Thome) Following British colonization, coffee had been introduced to the contours and elevated central districts by 1830. However from 1860, coffee industry was progressively decimated by the coffee rust disease. In 1867 when the Scotsman James Taylor cleared and planted tea in 21 acres at Loolecondera, its implications could not have been realised at that time, which later created an unprecedented prominence for the country. When tea industry flourished planters and executives employed in the trade, contributed to the development of cricket. Though the first cricket club (Colombo Cricket Club) was formed in 1832, it was not until four decades later that the game finally took root in the country. In some way the period in which tea was introduced, coincided with establishment and organization of cricket further, steadily increasing the popularity ...

Aug 29, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam Tagged , ,
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BATTING STROKE SELECTION – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam The batsman’s job is to score as many runs as possible. But to build an innings, a batsman needs sound judgement to work out which deliveries  to defend, leave or score off. Even top clans batsmen give their wicket away because of poor shot selection, so its not an easy science. The batsman has approximately 12 shots to choose from either side of the wicket. So stroke selection  depends on the line, length and speed of a delivery. There are three main lines: Off stump and outside Middle stump Leg Stump and outside And there are five main lengths of delivery: Bouncer/long hop Short of a length Good length Full length/half volley Full toss For the best chance of building an innings, a batsman needs to move their feet backwards or forwards to get into the best position to play a stroke. ...

Aug 22, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam Tagged ,
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CLUB CRICKET IN SRILANKA – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam On 5th September 1832, a notice appearing in the Colombo Journal inviting those gentlemen who may be inclined towards in forming a cricket club, to attend the meeting at the Colombo library three days later, resulted in the formation of Colombo Cricket Club (CCC). Shortly after that, the first recorded cricket match took place at the Rifle Green in Slave Island between CCC and the British 9th Regiment of Foot. CCC faded away afterwards but revived in 1863. Players on both sides were white British, in fact CCC remained European only until 1962. British planters formed Dimbula Athletic and Cricket Club at Radella in 1856 and Dickoya and Maskeliya Cricket Club at Darrawela in 1868. Locals began to pick up the game after its introduction to schools. Meanwhile non-European clubs began to be formed mainly on ethnic lines. Malay soldiers of ...

Aug 22, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam Tagged ,
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Making of Cricket Ball and Bowling – Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam With a perfectly shaped and quality cricket ball, a player can effectively utilize his skills in bowling and batting. First the leather sheet is purified and then dyed with red or white colour. Leather sheet is then cut into two parts and the pieces are stitched using a thick thread. Chunk of cork which forms the hard core of the ball is turned into spherical shape and wound tightly with string. Leather pieces and cork are held manually using tools. Final stitching of the ball assembly is then done. Stitched ball assembly is put into a press with ball placed between the two jaws and pressure is applied to get the round shape. Ball is then polished to obtain the shine and trade mark placed. ...

Aug 22, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam Tagged ,
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PITCH PREPARATION FOR A MATCH – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam A quality playing surface allows players to express and develop their skills, ensures that the cricketer has a rewarding experience and that the game is enjoyed by the players and the supporters alike. A good pitch is where the batsmen feel they are confident to score runs and bowlers feel they could take wickets. A delivery that passes at stump height should carry through to the wicket keeper on a trajectory that is an upward motion in ball flight off the pitch. Strip to play a fixture is identified and preparation started ideally 10 to 14 days prior to it. Incorrect pitch preparation could result in a slow and low pitch with erratic bounce or carry. Brushing – To lift creeping stems and leaves before mowing, to create an even space. Mowing – To reduce grass height on the pitch ...

Aug 7, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam Tagged , , ,
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