Sanath most famous old boy of St Servatius-by Dhammika Ratnaweera
Source:Dailynews
Former Sri Lanka skipper better known as Master Blaster Sanath Jayasuriya, International cricket Council ( ICC ) Cricket umpire and former first class all rounder Ruchira Palliyaguruge and current Sri Lankan paceman Kasun Rajitha are the top cricket products of St Servatius College Matara which is celebrating their 125 th anniversary on November 2 (Tuesday) .Former Sports and Education Minister Dullas Alahapperuma was the first Sports Minister produced by St Servatius
Sanath Jayasuriya undoubtedly the best hard hitting stroke player and useful leggie produced by Sri Lanka was the first Southern Province National captain from Matara. The combination of Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kauluwithana completely changed the ODI format batting style and Sanath Jayasuriya was adjudged the most valuable player of the 1996 Sri Lanka World Cup winning team. Jayasuriya has his own style while his cover drive, hook shot and sweep shot were a treat for the Sri Lanka Cricket lovers. He had the ability to break important partnerships as a useful left arm leg spinner.
Ruchira Palliyaguruge another hard hitting stroke maker and talented medium paceman represented Sri Lanka in Hong Kong sixes .The prolific all rounder after retiring from cricket began a new chapter as an umpire .Today he is an International umpire. As a first class cricketer Ruchira Palliyaguruge played 124 first class matches scoring 4478 runs with 7 centuries and 23 half centuries and took 220 wickets with 4 five wickets hauls. As an International cricket umpire Ruchira has officiated 18 test matches , 115 ODI ‘ s and 59 T20 internationals .
Ruchira and Kumar Dharmasena combination as on field umpires achieved success at the International level The third international cricketer Kasun Rajitha presently playing T 20 world cup started with 2 for 23 in his first match against New Zealand which Sri Lanka lost by 65 runs. Rajitha has played 13 test matches , 10 ODI ‘ s and 11 T 20s.
Apart from the cricketers we can’t forget renowned cricket coach L.H Sunil who is presently head of the Wesley College Cricket Academy .L H Sunil captained the College first X1 team in 1975 and had the rare distinction of captaining the College Football team. Later he started his new role as a qualified coach as well as a cricket umpire .He was one of the best junior coaches who produced so many talented cricketers at St Peters College Bambalapitiya like National cricketers Malinda Warnapura,Kaushal Lokuarachch,Angelo Perera and Santhush Gunatilleka. Chathura Gunaratne National Footballer (2006-14) and Kavindu Ishan National Footballer (2010-) are two top footballers produced by St Servatius Matara.
Dullas Alahapperuma Member of Parliament for Matara and senior Cabinet Minister was the first St Servatius College Education and Sports Minster andMedia Minister. In his short period as a Sport Minister he has done superb job to promote sports .
St. Servatius’ College was established on the 02nd of November 1897 by a Belgian Rev.Father Augustus Standard on a small block of land on the bank of river Nilwala at Pallimulla, Matara.
