Makevitage Asela Sampath Senarathne was born on 24th November 1980 in Ragama, and was the younger child of Somaweera Senarathne and Chandra Senanayake.
Asela’s Cricket career began quite early when he dipped his feet into coaching while still completing his education. He was a great player and Coach who was born through Galahitiyawa Central College. He was the Head Coach of the college for over 20 years, greatly contributing to the upliftment of college Cricket in the island. Asela received his primary education at Hemamali Maha Vidyala from 1986 to 1991, then attending Galahitiyawa Central College for his secondary and tertiary education from 1992 to 2000. As a player, he led the school under 19 Cricket team from 1999 to 2000, and was the Captain of Ganemulla Cricket Club from 2009 to 2015. He was also a member of the Nugegoda Cricket Club for the Major Premier Cricket Tournament. Unfortunately, he had to retire from his career as a player due to the fact that he had to undergo treatments for several health issues.
Thereafter, he commenced his Cricket Coaching career in Galahitiyawa Central College in 2001, which was followed by filling in the position of Coach of the Dockyard Cricket Team from 2015 to 2016. Asela also played a vital role in coaching Akbar Brothers (Pvt.) Ltd for a period of nearly 5 years (2015-2020). During this period, he contributed to level up the Akbar Brothers Cricket Team from Division F to Division E, and also guided the team to a position of claiming the runners-up title of the Mercantile Cricket Tournament in 2018. It is a well-known fact that Asela created a golden era for Cricket at Akbar Brothers (Pvt.) Ltd.
He bought new optimism and discipline to Galahitiyawa Central College Cricket by masterminding Cricket teams for all age categories, and was successful in upgrading the divisions of all teams during his time –
- Under 13 from Division III to Division I
- Under 15 from Division III to Division I
- Under 17 from Division III to Division I
- Under 19 from Division III to Division II
Asela guided the college team to win 5 out of the 8 big matches played against Dudley Senanayake Central College (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018). He produced many young Cricketing talents over the years who have been highly acknowledged island wide –
- Suban Sanuka – Most Popular School Boy Cricketer in Battle Round (Under 19 Division II)
- Sandaruwan Chinthaka – Best All-rounder in Oberver Mobitel School Cricketer
-The Rising Cricketer in Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer
-The Best Batsman and All-rounder of 2020 School Cricket Tournament (Division II)
- Isuru Tharaka – The Most Popular Cricketer in Observer Mobitel School Cricketer (Division III)
Asela also guided Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya in developing Cricket for nearly 2 years, where he managed to take the college Cricket team to the next level. Through his experience and dedication, he paved the way in bringing up the following personalities to national level –
- Rashmi Silva
- Sanduni Silva
- Vishmi Gunarathne
- Sandali Weerasinghe
- Amadi Wijesinghe
These players were guided and taught from the very basics by Asela, and eventually made their way to the Emerging Sri Lankan Women’s Cricket team, where Vishmi Gunarathne holds the record as the youngest Cricketer to score a century in 1st Class Cricket, a record previously held by Chamari Athapattu (Former Sri Lankan Women’s Cricket Captain).
Before his unfortunate demise, Asela played a crucial role in the crowning of the Galahitiyawa Central College under 15 Cricket team as the Champions of Gampaha District Umpires’ Tournament in 2021. This was recorded as his last significant contribution for school Cricket.
Asela sadly passed away on the 30th of August 2021 while going through treatment for COVID-19 at the Gampaha Hospital. He will be missed by many young Cricketing talents, and his invaluable services will be remembered by many.
He leaves behind family and other loved ones (Roshana Hameem, Akein, Akithma, Imethma & Ayaan, cousins and friends), all of who will dearly cherish memories of time spent with him.
Article by – Nadeesha Maduranga
