Having been associated with Ceylon Hockey since 1938, Walter Jayasuriya was widely recognised and affectionately known as the ‘father of hockey..’ He was a walking encyclopaedia on world hockey especially India and a competent authority on the rules and regulations of the game and its correct interpretation.
He was perhaps the greatest promoter of the game. He was able to interact with top Indian counterparts and organise several tours of great significance. He was the Manager of the historic Sri Lankan Team in 1959/60, when Sri Lanka were ranked sixth in the world, which included three continental teams.
Walter was the chief architect along with T. M. N. Mahamooth to organise and inaugurate the first senior national hockey championships of Ceylon in 1956.
Having played for the Colombo Hockey Association in the first nationals, I can vouch, it is the very best conducted to date, in terms of organisation and splendour. Walter was the chairman of the organising committee and Prime Minister, Sir John Kotelawala was the Chief Guest.
In fact, both Walter and ‘Naz’ Mahamooth travelled to India in 1955 to witness the Indian Hockey Nationals and came back enhanced with knowledge and ideas.
Walter took a leading and vital role in drafting the Constitutions and founding of the Colombo H.A. in 1955, and the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation in 1956.
He was known as the ‘Mighty Atom’ of Ceylon Hockey by the Indian Hockey Federation officials and organised and went as Manager of the first ever national hockey team to Madras and Bangalore in 1953, captained by the legendary A. Mylvaganam.
He along with P. W. Moses and Barney Bowen were recognised as International Umpires by the Federation of International Hockey in 1965. He had the distinction of being a member and office-bearer of the Ceylon Olympic and Commonwealth Games Associations and went as General Team Manager of the Ceylon Contingent at the first GANEFO Games held in Jakarta in 1963.
A distinguished Old Wesleyite, Walter passed away in 1998.
Dannis de Rosayro