Bandu – tall, handsome, gentleman cricketer

By Air Chief Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala

RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, MPhil, MSc, FIM(SL), ndc, psc

(Former Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force and Sri Lankan Ambassador to Afghanistan)

The month of September was a very significant one to “Bandu” (Deva Bandula de Silva) our classmate. He stepped into this world on the 20^th as a bundle of joy to his parents and the significance added on with bliss when he knotted in matrimony and walked down the isle, with Namalie, on 15^th September, 35 years ago. Further, this September adds another significance but, unfortunately, it is on a sombre note. We remember Bandu on the 14^th of September 2020 as three months have lapsed since he departed. He was known as “Bandu” to us at Nalanda College, and “Deva” to some others.

Bandu hailed from Galle and had his primary education at Richmond College. He excelled in track and field events and under-12 cricket at Richmond. After his family shifted to Colombo he joined us at Nalanda, in 1974, in Grade 8. To be more precise, Bandu joined us in Grade 8E, where we had 50 students. It was a record at that time, being a big class and the last guy who joined our class was Deshapriya Kandekumbura, who got “Fifty” as his nick name.

Bandu was a team player loved and admired by his teammates. He chose the biology stream for his GCE A/L after excelling at the NCGE examination, but could not achieve his academic goals owing to his devotion to cricket.

Bandu, was a devastating pace bowler who was instrumental in steering Nalanda to victory. As a paceman, his height was an advantage which made him an asset to his team. Many cricket fans of yesteryear still fondly remember how Bandu, who was the vice-captain, under the leadership of Shammi Silva, challenged Arjuna Ranatunga and Brendon Kuruppu at the 51^st Battle of the Maroons. He was one of the highest wicket takers with 80+ wickets in a season and won the Best Bowler Award in the 1980 Exide Trophy 50-Over School Cricket Tournament.

Our classmate, the late Chandana Godamunne, and Nihal Pitigala, another cricketer, who hailed from Galle currently domicile in the US were his close buddies and partners in crime. Upul Gamage, who was his skipper in 1979, of the Golden Jubilee Battle of the Maroons encounter, continues to maintain their friendship even though Bandu settled down in Australia.

Upon leaving school, Bandu joined the Maharaja Group, which was an elite business entity at that time. Maharaja Group had a trend to headhunt young talented cricketers with high potential to represent the company.

Later, Bandu joined the cabin crew of our national carrier Air Lanka. At both these institutions he played a prominent role in the mercantile group cricket and, in addition, he represented BRC at Sara Trophy level.

In 1988, Bandu chose to migrate to Australia. He had a successful management career and retired early 2020 due to health-related challenges. He had a proven track record for being a diligent, sharp-minded and uniquely talented personality who was highly respected.

Bandu always helped Sri Lankans who migrated to Australia. In Sydney, he played an active role in many community-based social activities, and was a founding member of the Old Nalandians’ Association in NSW. In addition, he was also the President of the Sri Lankan Cricket NSW. Further, he had continued to play cricket for Sri Lankan Lions and local clubs until a nagging knee injury compelled him to give up playing and switched on to a mentoring role. He took pride in inspiring the young cricketers and engaged in cricket coaching and mentoring the future Sri Lankan generation in Sydney. He always used to take his prized copy of the book – “Imran Khan’s Cricket Skills”.

When the tsunami struck the Indo Pacific region, on Boxing Day, in 2004, Bandu actively organised a fund-raiser to build houses for the tsunami victims. He also raised funds for the cancer hospital in Sri Lanka. Bandu won accolades for being a social worker.

Bandu continued to uphold the rich traditions of Sri Lankan culture. He always encouraged children to respect Sinhala and Buddhist customs and traditions.

Bandu loved music, especially Sinhala and Hindi songs. As a talented singer, he would often sing or he play the tabla. He had always enjoyed listening to his youngest daughter, Tiara, singing. Further, the duo often listened to and sang Hindi songs together.

After Bandu’s demise in Sydney, the gathering that was present to pay their last respects, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, at the funeral ceremony, showed how popular he had been. Although, we could not be present physically at the funeral, but we watched it on the Internet.

Bandu was a gentleman par excellence and his family, his school and his friends were always proud of him.

Namali, Bandu’s partner for 35 years and their three daughters Ranga, Lehana and Tiara, son-in-law Dasantha, and much adored granddaughters Azalea Beatrice “Zelie” and Arabella Rose “Bella”, loved his company. Let me also acknowledge the inputs from them, especially by Ranga Bandu’s daughter and his wife Namali, for this appreciation.

I also take this opportunity to thank all our classmates and other friends of Bandu who shared their personal experiences with Bandu.

Let me conclude with a post written by Bandu on 20 September 2015, on his 55th birthday, with a family photo shared by his daughter Ranga that encapsulated him and his devotion to family.

The caption read:

“I often wonder where time has gone. Then I see all these faces and realise that I have spent my time well and wisely.”

Bandu, was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and super friend to all. We lost a dear buddy forever but, our fond memories of him will linger endlessly, Adiós, amigo.

May Bandu attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana!