She Let The Ladies Play The Gentleman's Game

She was once a star in the Sinhala film industry before taking a leap into Cricket, a sport she loved to play as a child, founding the Sri Lanka Women's Cricket Association (SLWCA) in 1996 and served as the President for a decade, dedicating her personal wealth for the well-being of women who aspired to be Cricketers.

Mrs. Gwen Herat, who was 89 at the time of her passing yesterday, will be remembered for her pioneering efforts in bringing Sri Lanka Women's Cricket to ICC Status and participation in the Women's World Cup in 1997, just one year since the SLWCA's inception in 1996.

From Movie Star to Administrator

Born as Ayesha Weerackoon, she was destined to become one of the big names in the film industry, starring in films like "Prema Tharangaya", "Sihinaya", "Pitisara Kella" and "Jeevitha Satana" in the 1950's and closed the curtains of her acting career before.

Ayesha Weerackoon, a star in the 50's

Taking the hand of Harold Herat, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and with close family ties with the Edirimanna Coreas in Chilaw, she would then be known as Gwendoline Herat, Gwen for short, and chose to challenge the gender norms in sports administration. Very notably, she became the first female president of the Puttalam District Cricket Association and remained in the role for 15 years.

The Brainchild at the World Cups

Following the success of the men's team in 1996, she was able to secure sponsorships from Singer Sri Lanka (Rs. 2 Million per annum for 5 years) and even donated a part of her personal wealth to finance for the Sri Lanka Women's team to take part not just in the 1997 World Cup but also in 2000 and 2005.

Under the guidance of Guy De Alwis, the former Sri Lanka Cricketer and husband to Rasanjali Silva who would later captain in 2000 (notably they were the second husband-wife pair to play Test Cricket), Sri Lanka played in the Quarter Finals in 1997, laying the foundation to play in future competitions with very little resources.

R. I. P. Gwen Herath 🌺

Solely responsible for the inception and nurturing of Sri Lankan Women's Cricket in its early days. pic.twitter.com/PZNCxVMfDZ

— Izu (@outof22yards) May 27, 2025

Just like Sri Lanka took their baby steps in Cricket, having played in the 1975 World Cup and finally gaining the ICC Full Membership to play Test Cricket in 1982, under the leadership of the Late Gamini Dissanayake, she was no different having found inspiration from him and was guided in the 80's until his assasination.

“She fought tooth and nail at the International Women’s Cricket Council in 2005 in Pretoria for Sri Lanka to achieve ICC status which she did with all countries voting in her favour,” quotes the veteran sports journalist Sunil Fernandopulle (read here for more)

A Lifetime Member of SLC

Following the merger in 2006 where Sri Lanka Cricket became the governing body of the SLWCA in accordance with the ICC regulations, her reign as President came to an end, which she recalls as a triumphant and bittersweet moment to let go of her brainchild to be taken care of by safer hands.

However in a thoughtful gesture, she was felicitated at the 2023 Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Awards with the rare Lifetime Achievement by Sri Lanka Cricket, handed over by Mr. Shammi Silva, who now overlooks Women's Cricket in his full capacity as the President of SLC.

Mrs. Gwen felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement

Apart from her acting career and administrative roles, she was also a features writer for leading newspapers, a ballet critic and is also the first female author in Sri Lanka to write Cricket books, titled "Turf Heroes" and "Tomorrow's Cricketer."

Gwen Herat, an author in cricket as well

Coming to think of it, she was indeed a Turf Hero of her own, and shaped the future of tomorrow's women's cricketers with her vision, which we see today in the team led by Chamari Athapaththu today but will not see the struggles she faced back then to bring the sport to what it is known today.

While the film industry will remember her as "Ayesha Weerackoon", cricket should never forget her efforts as "Gwen Herat." Rest in Peace!

Below is a special tribute from young Minheli to her grandmother, sent to us by Mrs. Gwen's family.