Colombo Malay CC commences 150th Anniversary Celebrations

The Colombo Malay CC which celebrates the 150th anniversary this year commenced their anniversary celebrations with a series of sports events on Saturday at the Padang complex in Slave Island where the Malay community’s contribution to the rich diversity of the country was hailed by Minister Nalaka Godahewa, the chief guest of the ceremony.

Sri Lanka’s oldest cricket club, CMCC was founded in 1872 after a historic cricket match was played between an All-Malay team of the Ceylon Rifle Regiment and a British Regimental team on March 23, 1872. Consequently, the British Government gifted the Rifle Green Parade grounds in 1872 which led to the founding of the CMCC.

Cricket, sepak takraw and netball matches were played to mark the historic occasion with CMCC pitted against Army and Police teams.

According to a senior CMCC member, the significance of playing a cricket match against the Army was because of the historic encounter in 1872. The first sepak takraw match in Sri Lanka was played at the Padang in 1985. Playing a netball match against Police was because the then IGP (Inspector General of Police) MWF Abeykoon ceremonially declared open the Padang grounds in 1961.

Army won the 10-over cricket match by 66 runs after posting 156 for seven. Lakshan Edirisinghe smashed a 14-ball 43 (6×6 1×4), Bishan Mendis cracked an 18-ball 37 (4x4s, 4x6s) and skipper Pathum Dilshan hit an 11-ball 24 (4x4s, 1x6s). Southpaws Edirisinghe and Mendis also shared a second-wicket stand of 43. CMCC were restricted to 90 for five in reply with Abishek Jayasuriya claiming two for 13.

Army also overwhelmed CMCC in the sepak takraw clash winning the best-of-three match 2-0 with scores of 15-8 16-14.

CMCC featured in a thrilling 11-11 draw in the netball match against Police after leading 5-4 at halftime. Skipper Nauchali Rajapakse (Goal Keeper) a former national player, national poolist Malsha Ratnayake (Goal Attack) and under-21 Sri Lanka player Dilani Perera (Centre) were outstanding for CMCC. Skipper Dilki Emansha (Wing Defence), Rashmi Obeysekera (Goal Defence), Sumangala Sudarshani (Wing Attack), Lakshani Anuruddika (Centre) and Eshani Madushika (Goal Keeper) excelled for Police.

Meanwhile, a First Day Cover was launched by the Philatelic Bureau to mark this momentous occasion.