Former Royal and SSC cricketer Anura de Alwis dies

Former Royal College and SSC wicketkeeper-batsman Anura de Alwis passed away last Sunday night and his funeral arrangements will be notified later. Anura de Alwis (65 years old) played for Royal College in 1975 and 1976 under the leadership of Prasanna Kariyawasam and T.M.S Saldin, respectively.

When he played in the 1976 big match Royal College were skittled for 115 and Anura de Alwis top-scored with an unbeaten 45. In this game facing a first innings deficit of 114 Royal were saved by a stubborn seventh wickets stand of 76 runs between Ranjan Madugalle (71) and Ashok Jayawickrama (36n.o). Along with his teammates that year were Sri Lanka Test cricketers Ranjan Madugalle, Rohan Jayasekara, Member of Parliament Eran Wickremaratne, the late Kevin Balthazaar, and Susantha Ratnayake (later Chairman of John Keells).

After leaving school Anura turned out for SSC in the Sara Trophy Tournament for several years and Richard Pieris Company Ltd in the Mercantile ‘A’ division tournament. Later he was domiciled in the USA for several years with his family before he returned to Sri Lanka a few years ago. He was a keen cricket enthusiast.

He was the elder brother of former Royal and Air Force wicket-keeper batsman Wing Commander Nalin de Alwis who served as a Computer Analyst for the National cricket team for several years and rendered yeoman service for Sri Lanka Cricket. (D.R)