On This Day

A collection of 54 posts

On This Day Featured

Eddie Gray- The Boxer Who 'Witnessed It All'

Born on this day in 1918, Eddie Gray the 'Boxing Flame' has the unique distinction of being physically present at both Olympic medal winning instances in 1948 and 2000!

On This Day Featured

CT Van Geyzel- The First Olympian From Ceylon

Carl Theodore Van Geyzel, born on this day in 1902, was a Cricketer who represented Great Britain in the 1928 Olympics and held the Ceylon High Jump record for 25 years.

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On This Day

De Saram- The Colonel, Coach & Cricket Captain

Born today in 1912, Col. F.C. De Saram not only led Ceylon Cricket in his younger days but also the 1962 Ceylonese coup d'état, and subsequently became a Coach and Selector.

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On This Day

The Captain Who Fought The Smallpox Outbreak

Born today in 1894, Dr. C.H. Gunasekara is a hallowed name in Royal College Cricket like his other family members, and the first Ceylonese to play County Cricket in England.

On This Day

A Sports Minister Whose Name Stood For 'Vision'

V.A. Sugathadasa OBE who was born today in 1912, is best remembered for his generous contributions as Mayor of Colombo, and his services as Ceylon's First Minister of Sports.

On This Day

Mr. Leslie - The Founder Of University Games

Born today in 1921, Mr. Leslie Handunge was not only the first boxer from Ceylon to win a bout at the 1948 Olympics, but also laid the foundation for Sri Lanka University Sports.

On This Day

The Day When Sri Lanka Braved Thomson's Fury

50 years ago today, Sri Lanka showed their fighting spirit as they faced one of Cricket's deadliest duos - Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee in the World Cup against Australia.

On This Day

'Karu Ayya' - A Genius In Lyrics And Commentary!

Karunaratne Abeysekera who was born 95 years ago today, was not only a lyrical genius behind more that 2000 songs but also introduced Sinhala Cricket Commentary

On This Day

Mathews - The Match Winner Of Yesteryear

Angelo Mathews who turns 38 years today, embodies many nostalgic memories from his 17 year long career as a match winning all rounder of generational talent.

On This Day

Mahanama - A Big Name Who Walked The Talk!

Roshan Mahanama who turns 59 years today, is remembered for his fighting knocks and safe hands in the outfield for Sri Lanka, before he became an ICC Match Referee.

On This Day

Wimalasena, A Man Who Weathered The Storm

Wimalasena Perera who turns 80 years today, ran the Marathon at high altitude in the 1968 Mexico Olympics and got to know he finished 51st the next day in hospital.

On This Day

'Billiard' Lafir - The First Ever World Champion

M.J.M. Lafir who was born today in 1930, is a story that started with marbles and a broomstick, and ends with Sri Lanka's first world championship title in any sport!

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On This Day

Mahela - A Mastermind In The Shortest Format

Mahela Jayawardene who turns 48 years today, is an underrated example of format adaptation, with a strike rate in T20Is greater than Test and ODIs combined!

On This Day

David Wilkie - A Pioneer Of The Swimming Gear

It's been a year since the passing of former Olympian Gold medalist David Wilkie MBE, born in Ceylon and was the first to use the goggles and cap for competitive swimming

On This Day

Sir Arthur - The Author And First Class Cricketer

Born on 'Sherlock Holmes Day' today, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle named the fictional detective after a Nottinghamshire Cricketer and once took the wicket of W.G. Grace!

On This Day

Some Were Fast, And There Was 'Summa'

Sumanthiran Navaratnam, whose centenary birth anniversary falls today, was once dubbed the 'Bolt of Asia' and a household name in Rugby from Player to President

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Ireland's Forgotten Hero Who Was Born In Ceylon

Born on this day in 1907 in Nuwara Eliya, Robert Tisdall left Ceylon long before he won the Gold medal for Ireland in the Men's 400m Hurdles at the 1932 Olympic Games

On This Day

Karunaratne - A Frank And Underrated Opener

Dimuth Karunaratne, who recently retired on his 100th Test match and one of the most prolific openers to grace the field in whites for Sri Lanka, turns 37 years today!

On This Day

Astonishing Feats Of The Bent Arm Bowler

With 1347 international wickets to his name, Muttiah Muralitharan who turns 53 years today is not your everyday tailender when looking at his batting and fielding feats!

Cricket

When 'Hope' Finally Became A Reality

After sharing sorrows as the losing side in four straight World Cup finals, Sri Lanka became the T20 World Cup winners on this day in 2014 at the Sher-E-Bangla Stadium.

On This Day

The CBSL Governor Who Led Sri Lanka Rugby

Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, who turns 75 years today, is the 14th Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and famously led Sri Lanka in the ASIAD Finals in 1974

On This Day

A Life Around Cricket, Hockey and Insurance!

Chandra Schaffter, founder of Janashakthi Insurance PLC and the oldest living First Class Cricketer who represented Ceylon in Hockey and Cricket, turns 95 years today.

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On This Day

The Bizarre Pitch That Bamboozled Bradman!

On this day in 1948, Colombo came to a halt as more than 20,000 spectators surrounded the P Sara Oval to watch Sir Don Bradman score the same number of runs as the pitch!

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On This Day

Tissera - The Tea Taster, Cricketer and Manager

'Deshabandu' Michael Tissera who turns 86 years today, didn't only taste tea but has also led Ceylon in the Pre-Test Era, famously tasting victory on Indian soil in 1965

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On This Day

From 2nd Fastest Bowler to 2nd In The World

Recent World Lead and Former Schoolboy Fast Bowler Rumesh Tharanga who turns 22 years today, is the first Sri Lankan Athlete to break the 85m barrier in Men's Javelin