It was an evening when time stood still and the past embraced the present. At the glittering Sri Lanka Cricket Awards held at the resplendent City of Dreams, cricket’s faithful were feted in a ceremony that ticked all the boxes – glamour, gratitude and goosebumps.
The event, which recognized outstanding contributions in both domestic and international cricket for the year 2024, wasn’t just about runs scored or wickets taken. It was about honouring the lifeblood of the game – those who’ve carried the torch across decades. Four lifetime achievement awards were handed out and each recipient walked up to a standing ovation, the applause echoing like a last-ball six at a packed stadium.
- Future of Sri Lankan cricket in safe hands, says Mathews
- The Mathews method: calm, calculated and complete
One of the iconic images of the night was two titans of yesteryear—Mr. Chandra Schaffter, the oldest living Ceylonese cricketer, in deep conversation with Mr. Stanley Jayasinghe, nine months his junior. Watching these gentlemen reconnect was like flipping through a scrapbook of Ceylon’s cricketing soul. Together, they’ve been part of Sri Lanka’s cricketing journey long before we were handed Test status.
Between them, they’ve donned almost every hat in the game – selectors, administrators, team managers – and their association with cricket spans over eight decades. Even in their 90s, they follow the game like hawks in the slips, eyes sharp and hearts full.
Mr. Jayasinghe, who carved out a name for himself in English county cricket at a time when Sri Lanka didn’t even have Test status, put the island on the map long before the rest of the world took notice. While his batting feats are well documented, his refusal to take the field against an all-white South African team during the apartheid era speaks volumes of his principles. He didn’t just play cricket – he stood for something bigger.
Like Mr. Jayasinghe, Mr. Schaffter too believed in discipline and dignity. A hard taskmaster when managing sides packed with superstars, he was instrumental in instilling professionalism long before it became a buzzword. After hanging up his boots, he channeled his energies into business, founding a successful insurance firm that not only generated employment but also threw a lifeline to the sport – sponsoring teams, supporting players, and giving cricketers a second innings off the field.
Another stalwart to be recognized on the night was Mr. Ranjit Fernando – a trusted name in Sri Lanka’s cricketing corridors. Representing the country in the inaugural 1975 World Cup, his omission from the next edition was a snub that saw him walk away from the game – but not for long. He turned to coaching where he left his mark. It was under his watch that Sri Lanka sharpened their fielding blades in the build-up to the historic 1996 World Cup triumph.
Fernando also managed the national team through turbulent waters – including the infamous 1998 Australia tour when Muttiah Muralitharan was no-balled for throwing. He was also at the helm when Sri Lanka finally broke the jinx and won their first-ever Test in England. A man with a calm head and a big heart, Mr. Ranjit Fernando has been the dressing room’s unsung hero.
Completing the quartet of honourees was Mr. Janaka Pathirana, a stalwart of the Kandy District Cricket Association. For over three decades, Pathirana has been the invisible hand behind the scenes in the hill capital, helping transform Asgiriya and Pallekele into venues of international repute. From schoolboy cricket to full-blown internationals, his fingerprints are all over the province’s cricketing growth.
The evening wasn’t just about past glories. The spotlight also shone on current heroes. Kamindu Mendis was named Men’s Cricketer of the Year, while the indomitable Chamari Atapattu swept six of the seven international awards on offer – her name now etched alongside the greats in Sri Lanka’s cricketing lore.
Match officials too had their moment in the sun, as umpires and referees who kept the game ticking in 2024 were duly recognized.
As the curtains fell on the evening, it was clear that this wasn’t just another awards show. It was a celebration of cricket’s timeless spirit, where giants of the past rubbed shoulders with stars of today.
