Michael Tissera: A Lifetime of Grounded Achievement-by Krishantha Prasad Cooray Source:Thuppahis Krishantha Prasad Cooray, in The Island,  7 April 2024, where the title runs thus: “Michael Tissera at 85: Gentlemen’s gentleman” ….. with highlighting imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi   Michael Tissera with his children and grandchildren When people who have the same first name meet up, there’s name-related humour. The more, the merrier, obviously, especially if they are good friends and enjoy friendly banter. Today I am thinking of three people who share the name Michael: Michael Tissera, Michael Sproule and Michael De Zoysa, all three who played cricket for St Thomas’ College, Mt Lavinia. The first of course is the bigger name associated with the gentleman’s game. Today I remember these three gentlemen sending everyone into fits of laughter as they talked among themselves, each referring to the others by name. It went something along the following lines: ‘Yes Michael, as I was ...

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Carlyle Perera: Captain Marvellous … Led University to Sara Trophy Triumph in 1962/63-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Merril Gunaratne, in The Island, 9 October 2022, with this title “Carlyle Perera: Doyen of University Cricket” Dr. Carlyle Perera of St Joseph’s College and University of Ceylon who died a few days ago was a gifted cricketer, well known in cricket circles in the 1950’s and 60’s. He left his imprint on University cricket by winning the Saravanamuttu cricket trophy in 1962-63. It was a unique achievement, for not only did he wrest the trophy from the monopolistic control of established clubs, but also created a record by achieving a feat unrivaled before or after by the University. Carlyle reached such dizzy heights with a band of exceptionally talented schoolboy cricketers who had gained admission to the University. It was an era when cricket was more a pastime than a full time commitment. But ...

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Dr Carlyle Perera – A born leader-By Maxie Kariyawasam Source:Sundaytimes Individual brilliance in any sport does not necessarily make one a leader of men/women. Dr. Carlyle Felician Haig Perera not only had individual brilliance as a cricketer from his early days at St. Joseph’s College Colombo but he also had one other characteristic that is elusive to most and that is charisma. He made ample use of this to steer the Colombo University Cricket team to an unique achievement in 1962/63 when he led them to capture the plum of Sri Lanka Cricket, the Sara Trophy. Never before or since have the Colombo University been able to achieve this historic Milestone.     It all started at St. Joseph’s College Colombo, when Carlyle was drawn to Cricket like a moth to a flame where he showed early signs of leadership captaining the U-14 and U-16 teams. At just 16 plus in ...

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Talent Abundant. The All-Conquering University of Ceylon Cricket Team of 1962-63 Anonymous Author, in The Island, 16 March 2013 The Ceylon University pool players included seven doctors. Former members of the University of Ceylon ‘62/63 will gather at the NCC on the morning of March 23 to celebrate their winning the Sara Trophy 50 years ago. Their feat has never been achieved by any other university team. In spite of the heavy burden of studies, they had to contend with, they were able to excel in their chosen sport to win the Sara Trophyin the 1962/63 season. The team consisted of a very talented group of youngsters who were not at all overawed by the might of the opposition, sporting All Ceylon players of that era. They, in their youthful exuberance, overcame all odds in capturing the title. Their conduct off the field was exemplary. They were gentlemen to the ...

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