Edward Colombage passes away

S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen Kandy Sports Corr.

Death occurred in Ukuwela in the Matale area of H. C. Edward Colombage, one of the famous sportsmen produced by St. Sylvester's College, Kandy, who devoted his entire life for the promotion and development of sports in the Kandy area.

Colombage started his sporting career playing hockey and cricket for St. Sylvester's College and also participated in athletics. In hockey, he was a centre forward and played for the Kandy district schools and Kandy district teams. In cricket, he opened the attack for the Sylvestirans and was also a hard hitting batsman. On leaving school, he joined the Kandy Municipal Council as a Playground Instructor, perhaps with the idea of keeping himself immersed in sports.

It was as the hockey coach of St. Anthony's Girls College, Kandy, for over 20 years that he shot to fame. In the late seventies and early eighties, he made this school a champion outfit, winning many all island titles apart from producing a number of national hockey players.

At cricket, he coached Sri Rahula College, Katugastota, in their early years and did much to improve that sport in that school.

His funeral will take place today, Thursday, September 14 at 2.00 p.m. His remains is lying at his residence at 216, Narakona in Ukuwela.