The rendition of ‘to reach the unreachable stars’ by the De Lanarolle brothers was an impeccable kick-off to the 136th Battle of the Blues (12th,13th,14th March 2015) where a gathering of media and distinguished guests, sponsors and the two teams took place at the Sport Ministry Auditorium at Race Course under the proud patronage of the Sports & Tourism Minister Hon Navin Dissanayake and the Deputy Minister Hon Vasantha Senanayake.
Present among the dignitaries for the evening were also Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Director/ CEO Dialog Axiata PLC, Mr. Upali Gunasekare, Principal Royal College, Rev. Marc Billiomoria, Warden S. Thomas’ College, Dr. Hiran Wimalaratne, Co-Chairman of the Royal Thomian match organizing committee, and the two captains of Royal and S. Thomas’, Harith Samarasinghe and Helakamal Nanayakkara respectively.
The Co-Chairman of the Royal Thomian match organizing committee, Mr. Prajeet Balasubramanium addressed the gathering via video as he was unable to attend the event. He thanked the committee for providing the opportunity to him to co-chair this year’s encounter like his father in the 125th encounter. “Life is all about winning and losing, the most important lesson to be learnt is that the outcome should be accepted in good faith” he advised the two teams and wished them all the very best for the 3 days soon to come.
The Warden of S. Thomas’ College, Rev. Marc Billimoria mentioned that “although there are many copycat events by other schools this encounter forever will be the one that is unmatched and unparalleled, not only because it’s the only match of this kind also, because of the culture that it has now created as an event, not only in this country but also in the Sri Lankan communities living abroad for which many of our old boys return almost on a pilgrimage every march” commenting on the game that has a rich history and deeply etched tradition.
He also went on to thank all those involved in making this year’s encounter a special. He made special note thanking Dialog Axiata PLC for powering this year’s encounter, “Dr. Hans true to his Thomian heritage rose to the occasion to support us and we are very grateful to the decision that you facilitated to have Dialog as our main sponsor” he added commending the CEO of Dialog Axiata PLC. He also mentioned the educational journey of Hon. Navin Dissanayake saying “our chief guest is claimed by Royal but, given that S. Thomas’ preparatory school is part of the Thomian family of schools and the fact that the Hon. Minister is an old boy of the prep school before he missed the bus and going to Royal we can lay just claim on him too”
Mr. Upali Gunasekara, the Principle of Royal College made a simple speech where he mentioned “in the past 135 years the Royal Thomian has given many examples to the not only to the country but the world. The thinking of sharing of the responsibility among the two schools also came this year” he said commenting on this years’ concept of having a shared designations and shared responsibilities of the match organizing committee. He thanked Dialog Axiata PLC for coming forward as the principal sponsors of this encounter and finally wished the two teams all the very best.
The Director/ CEO Dialog Axiata PLC Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya said that Dialog is “honoured and privileged to be a part of this historic occasion” It is after a break of 5 years that Dialog has come forward as the principal sponsor of the Roy-Tho encounter and they look forward to working hand in hand in the years to come. He also announced that for every 1 run scored a rupee and for every wicket taken 10,000 rupees will be awarded by Dialog PLC to be jointly donated to a school in need as Dialog believes that “celebrating their big day is our happiness” according to Dr. Wijayasuriya who touched on the sponsorship for far more smaller big matches in the island as well making this match not only a source of enjoyment and camaraderie but a social cause as well. He also extended his wishes to the two teams for a sporty exhibition of cricket.
A joint performance drum fusion was organized by the two schools which electrified the audience. Each of the sponsors presented their cheques the Principal and Warden as did ThePapare.com official online partner.
Finally the minister of Sports and tourism, Hon. Navin Dissanayake addressed the gathering. He shared a light hearted story which caught the amused attention of many in the audience “In the 1979 big match there was a 10 year old boy watching the game, S. Thomas’ College was on to losing the match humiliating but Mahinda Halangoda came and saved the game. I was that 10 year old brat. I had a great sense of disappointment, I cried when we were going to lose that game. In 1983, under Chulaka Amarasuriya, the Royal College team won the game, at that point I was in Royal College, and I felt a great sense of happiness in my heart that moment. This going to show that I have had my fair share of happy and sad memories of the Royal Thomian”. He also went on to say that Royal and S. Thomas’s can be matched to Eton and Harrow in England in terms of standards. He ended his address by wishing both teams and the organizing committee for a good exhibition of the game.
The blue ribbon event is to happen the second weekend of March and there is no doubt most Royalists and Thomians have already made plans to head to the SSC. To those who are unable for the 5th year running www.thepapare.com will bring you live streaming from the grounds on the full 3 days.
