I was observing sil at the Wijerama temple and Mr Epasinghe happened to be there to deliver a sermon at this temple. I was meeting him after a long time. Not only was he a renowned, commentator and a journalist but an authority on Buddhism as well.
Most of the Sri Lankans recognised him as a cricket commentator cum sports journalist and he earned their respect accordingly. To show gratitude Mahinda College will felicitate him on the 30th in Galle, on the 20th Colonel Steel day as a special guest.
Dharmaraja College Kandy too felicitated him back in 1998 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, further Ananda College also a couple of years back honoured him for his services as a teacher for the promotion of cricket in Sri Lanka.
Epasinghe never played junior cricket, but one day Nalanda opener Yasapala Dissanayake who played for the school in 55’56 who belonged to Chandra House came in search of players for his house, and Epasinghe who belonged to Chandra House agreed to play for his house. He opened batting and scored 89 runs n.o.
Epasinghe attended first eleven practice as an opener, he has never played junior cricket at that time, however on the strength of his 89 runs n.o. he was selected to open for his house team and as a result he was selected to open for his house team. In the first over itself he hammered three fours,the opposing Surya House consisted six regulars of 1956 1st eleven team. For his luck Mr Kandaswamy-POG and MIC saw his brilliant innings.Following day he was called for 1st eleven practices. At that time Nalanda opening bowler was Jayawickrema Perera (later became a Cabinet Minister). Mr Gerry Gooneratne was highly impressed about his batting and he requested him to keep wickets. The following day he was back at school Mr Kandaswamy summoned him and to Epasinghe’s utter dismay, boxed his ears and then barked at him saying” you bloody dirty swine did you know that you were hiding your wealth under a bush” he was asked to kneel down and there were young kids watching and hold his years cross wise, the punishment lasted five minutes and Epasinghe was frothing mad, and eventually Mr Kandasamy said come here son” I am proud of you son you taught these beggars a couple of things (Nalanda first eleven players), turn up for practice tomorrow” then Epasinghe made an excuse stating that he did not have a pair of boots, Kandasamys reply was beg burrow or steal and never do the third thing .
In 1957 he played cricket for Nalanda as an opening bat under Chandrasiri Weerasinghe one of the best batsman ever to be produced by Nalanda, Weerasinghe scored 4 brilliant hundreds that year. Epasinghe opened with Sarath Silva and they were one of the best opening pairs in schools in 1957. At times he opened with late Mithra Siriwardene who was a DIG and had a high regard for him.
After leaving school he started his professional career at Mahanama College Kollupitiya, further he was a stringer-reporter attached to ANCL newspaper establishment. He was grateful to D.C, Ranatunga, former news editor and also to former sports editor late Mr M.M.Thawfeeq (father of reputed journalist Saadi Thawfeeq).
During 1966 Epasinghe entered Vidyodaya University( present Jayawardenepura University) and started cricket at that University. After he obtained his degree in Sinhala, English and education he taught at Sigiriya M.V. and from there he joined his Alma Mater Nalanda at the request of Principal Late Gunapala Wickremaratne. In 1968 he tied the nuptial knot with Swarna Somaratne who was a teacher at Stafford Ladies College.
They are blessed with son Bhagya-former Thomian opener 1989 and University of Ceylon Colombo in 1990’s, who is presently a Director of Finance in Canberra.
Daughter Apsara (Mrs Apsara Gunasekera) who played Squash for Sri Lanka.
As an educationalist Epasinghe firmly believes that all parents in Sri Lanka should encourage their sons and daughters to participate in sports activities and co-curricular activities which will help them to produce productive Citizens.
Add new comment