By Srian Obeyesekere
Shevon Daniel from St. Joseph’s College, Colombo was adjudged the Outstanding Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year and Vishmi Gunaratne from Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha the Most Outstanding Schoolgirl cricketer at the 45th awards ceremony of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association conducted in conjunction with Sri Lanka Cricket.
The grand ceremony was held in a riot of colour at the BMICH recently under the distinguished patronage of the President of Sri Lanka Cricket, Shammi Silva with the country’s world’s highest wicket taking record holder Muttiah Muralidaran and the President of the Sri Lanka Schools’ Cricket Association and Principal of Royal College, Tilak Wattuhewa gracing the occasion. at the recent awards ceremony, both 19-year old Shevon Daniel, a national U19 player and 17-year old Vishmi Gunaratne, who has already made the Sri Lanka Women’s team, upped their cricketing careers in respective double feats having won the prestigious awards for a second time running.
The award for Best Schoolboy Bowler and All-rounder was won by Dinura Kalupahana of Mahinda College, Galle while the Best Fielder award went to Vishwa Lahiru of Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya, Panadura, both of whom were not present to receive their awards as they are currently on duty with the Sri Lanka U19 team in Pakistan.
Among the main schoolgirl awards were Div. II -U19 Winner Best Batswoman – Rishmi Sanjana, Anura Vidyalaya, Matara, Div. II Runner-up Best Batswoman – Vushadi Kaushalya Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya, Div. I – Winner Best Batswoman Vishmi Gunaratne Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha, andDiv. I – Runner-up Best Batswoman Vihara Sewwandi , Devapathirana Vidyalaya, Rathgama.
