The Patron Saint of Galle Cricket

Edwin Mendis Karunaratna, “E.M.K.,” as he was popularly known, resurrected Galle cricket, after a period of inactivity.

He helped many young cricketers, in need, and had their talents developed.

Most of his earnings, as a leading lawyer in Galle, handling criminal cases, were virtually spent on the promotion of cricket. But if not for him, Galle cricket would not have prospered to the extent it did.

For 30 years, he travelled to Colombo, and back, at his own expense (and at what cost?) to attend the meetings of the Ceylon Cricket Association and the Board of Control, representing Galle.

With international teams visiting Galle, it was found that the Galle Cricket Club turf wickets of clay, and domestic lawn grass rolled hard to get a hard surface, were not upto international standard. (Turf wickets, all over the world, were prepared with a special grass).

However, with the assistance of the Colombo Cricket Club (all Englishmen) turf wickets, to international standards came up in Galle on E.M.K.’s initiative.

E. M. K. Organied countrywide sweep and a new pavilion with modern facilities, was opened by J. R. Jayewardena.

The legendary West Indies cricketer, Learie Constantine, was given an assignment by the Ceylon Cricket Board.

E. M. K. arranged a programme, for selected boys, from the Galle schools, for two weeks. This programme inspired our boys to take cricket more seriously.

“A tournament, called the E. M. K. Tournament was also organised to promote cricket in the Southern Province.

As a teenager, attending Richmond College, E.M.K., recounts a cricket match played in 1899.

Those were the times when the masters too used to play in the inter collegiate matches.

A. C. Edwards played for All Saints’ College in his capacity as a member of its staff. He was the safest and the soundest batsman and one could never forget his remarkably broad hat, his leisurely walk to the wicket and his unconcerned return to the pavilion after gathering at least a half century on every occasion.

He was a terror of Richmond College and its supporters, in the great encounter between Richmond and All Saints, which feature used to arouse tremendous enthusiasm among cricket fans in Galle upto about 1905, when the Richmond-Mahinda series commenced and became the most important social event in Galle.

Mainly due to Edward’s efforts, All Saints’ won a series of matches against Richmond, when in the memorable match, in 1899, Richmond scored a glorious victory beating All Saints by an innings!

As usual, Edward went in and to the great relief of the Richmondians (now Richmondites) he failed to come off in both innings!

Alfred G. Nicholas, who was a member of the Richmond Staff, was then the recognised “Poet Laureate” of the South, immortalised this victory by composing a beautiful song, entitled “Winning the Toss” which was set to music by the revered Principal J. H. Darrel. It was melodiously sung by the college eleven at the concert given at the end of the term, thus:

Alack! The day for Edwards’ game,

That cricketer of ancient fame;

He’s in, the field is put about,

Both innings see him shortly out!

Chorus:

So here’s to Captain and to crew,

To bowler, batsman, fieldsman, too,

We score away our previous loss,

Thanks to our Captain and the Boss.

In later years, E. M. K. captained the Richmond Cricket eleven and, in the year 1908, he won the high jump and long jump events at the S.S.C. sports meet.

Born in 1886, he was a distinguished pupil of the principal J. H. Darrel. Shortly after leaving school, he joined the Richmond Staff.

In the year 1908, the Richmond College Masters’ Cricket Club was formed at a time when the college staff included at least 12 first-class cricketers. It was led by Rev. W. J. T. Small who had won his colours at his college, Gonville and Caius, Cambridge. The team comprised Rev. Small, E. F. C. Ludowyke, G. R. A. Fernando, H Mant, G.A.F. Senaratne, J. Vincent Mendis, Blum Soerts, A. R. Seneviratne, A. W. Dissanaike, George Amarasinghe, F. A. de S. Adihetty, E. M. Karunaratne C. W. W. Kannangara (latter the father of free education) and Capt. A. A. Dias Abeysinghe.

Before long, this club achieved remarkable success and in its triumphant progress, lowered the colours of all the clubs in the Southern Province.

In 1909, there was keen rivalry in this game with the Galle C.C., who had been beaten before by the Masters’ C. C. but who were determined to do or die in their attempt to retrieve their honour.

The Galle C.C., batting first, scored 155. The Masters commenced their essay with utmost confidence when the glorious uncertainties of cricket intervened and a rot set in and I wickets were down for only 96. E.F.C. Ludowyk was not out on 9 when the last man, George Amarasinghe, the humourist of the team, arrived at the crease. He was not expected to survive a ball but scored a lucky one by an accidental sneak to short leg and Ludowyk crossed over.

Thereafter, it was a wonderful exhibition by Ludowyk with a single off the last ball of every over. Thereafter, the score was increasing. But, the winning hit was given and 160 runs reached and with only one more ball to complete that over, Ludowyk was caught on the boundary line off that last ball.

Ludowyk was beaming with smiles, while Amarasinghe who faced only one ball, was long-faced and threw away the bat and in a thunderous tone said, “I was getting into form when that rascal got out!”

In 1910, the Colombo Cricket Club (C.C.C.) were easily the champions of the Metropolis, mainly through the wonderful bowling of Greswell who arrived in Ceylon with a reputation as one of the very best of England’s bowlers.

Having lowered the colours in the Southern Province, the Masters’ C.C. was desirous of playing a match with the C.C.C.

The C.C.C. accepted the challenge and fixed the first match to be played in Colombo with a return match at Galle.

Eventually, the Masters’ C.C. went to Colombo. The toss of the coin was in their favour and they scored 295 runs. Greswell was changed for the first time since his arrival in Ceylon!.

The C.C.C. score was 265 when the last man arrived with 31 runs to make to win, or five minutes to play out time and make the game a draw. When the total reached 270, there were two minutes to go and the Galle Champions secured the wicket and thereby a glorious victory!

The newspapers acclaimed the Masters’ Eleven as a great all-round side and as brave men who did not suffer from “Gresswellitis”.

In their return match at Galle, the Masters’ C.C. won by an innings while in 1912, the Masters’ Eleven suffered a defeat at the C.C.C. ground.

After about six or seven years, the Masters’ C.C. ceased to exist, as most of the members left for fresh fields and pastures new.

During his Law College days, E.M.K. pioneered the Law-Medical cricket match and was the Law’s first captain at the match which was played on 24th and 25th March 1911, which the lawyers won.

The law team comprised E. M. Karunaratna (Richmond), E. Wanduragala and A. Ebert (S. Thomas’), P. B. Bulankulame, E.S. Fonseka, C. Perera and A. H. de Silva (Royal), F. W. Dias, C.S. Fonseka and E.A. Gunasekera (Wesley) and George A. Perera (St. Joseph’s)

Sam Somasunderam’s Medical Team included R. A. Wickremasuriya, J. Money, M. A. Sourjah, Clement Barrows, V. H. L. Anthonisz and S. Thiagrajah.

In later years, he also pioneered the Galle Law-Medical encounter.

With his advent from the Law College, the Galle Cricket Club developed considerably. In the process, he had to face many formidable challenges in the selection of strong teams, arranging fixtures with other teams, looking after the day-to-day administration of the club, finding funds to play cricket and the maintenance of the club. He met these challenges with courage and fortitude and was its main stay.

Apart from these chores, he also captained the Club Cricket Team from 1922 to 1945 and in 1948.

By now (1920) the Galle C.C. was among the first-class clubs in the island and there was a general desire among all lovers of the game that a ‘test’ match be arranged to be played at Galle between the Ceylon Team and a Southern Province Team.

At the time the genial and sporting Dr. John Rockwood’s name was a household word in the world of cricket in Ceylon. And, he was cordially invited to bring down the Ceylon Team for a battle royal with a Southern Province team.

The invitation was accepted and the match was fixed for 23-10-1920. Weeks before this great match, it was widely advertised by means of posters and hand-bills, both in English and in the Vernacular.

The playground was enclosed for the first time in the history of Galle cricket and hundreds cheerfully paid the entrance fee. Some took advantage of the ramparts overlooking the Esplanade.

Richmond, Mahinda, St. Alioysius and All Saints’ had each a tent with their college colours prominently displayed.

Dr. Rockwood’s Team comprised.

Douglas de Saram (Capt.), Dr. C. H. Gunaskera, M. K. Albert, C. Horan, S. R. Titus, E. Kelaart, V. T. Dickman, Jack Anderson, G. Wignarajah, H. A. Sappideen and Alfred Aluvihara.

The Southern Province Team comprised: E. M. Karunaratna (Capt.), M. S. Gooneratne, G. R. A. Feranndo, D. Gurusinghe, A. L. de Silva, A Hettiartchchi, Cecil Senaratne, S. B. L. Perera, E. Wijetilleke, Freddie Wickramaratne and K. H. M. de Silva.

Douglas de Saram having won the toss elected to bat and they were all out for 114 runs. In reply the Southern Province collapsed for 54 runs.

In the second innings the visitors made 101 for 2 wickets and declared, leaving he home team 161 runs to make in one and a half hours for victory. The home team replied with 75 for 7 wicket s when rain interrupted play.

In 1922 E. M. K. represented Galle at the inaugural meeting of the Ceylon Cricket Association. In 1928 he wrote the historical document “Cricket Down South” giving a vivid description of cricket at Galle from 1875 to 1928.

In 1933 and 1934 he was elected President of the Ceylon Cricket Association. In 1933 he was eleted to the Galle Municipal Council.

Again in 1934 he captained the Galle Combined xi against D. R. Jardine’s team at Galle.

In 1935 he captained the Galle Combined xi against Indian University Occasionals (Captained by S. Wazir).

In 1944 he inaugurated the Richmond-Mahinda old boys encounter. In 1945 he captained the Galle Combined xi against All India (captained by Vijay Merchant). E. M. K’s son Christie who was then the cricket captain of Richmond also played in this match. It was a rare event of a father and son playing representative cricket together.

E. M. K. was 59 years old at the time and physically strong and mentally alert. He stuck to the rules of the game rigidly as a cricketer, observing the highest traditions.

In 1948 he attended the inaugural meeting of the Board of Control in Colombo.

In 1949 he represented the Board of Control at the inaugural meeting of the Asian Cricket Conference in Calcutta.

At one time he was the most senior Vice-President of the Sinhalese Sports Club, a life member of the Tamil Union Cricket Club and a distinguished member of the Galle Gymkhana Club. Some of the well – known cricketers of his day were his friends. Prince Ranjith Singh of India was a particular friend. Cricketers of countries so far apart as England and West Indies came all the way to Galle to see him. In 1934, president E. M. K. of the Ceylon Cricket Association hosted half the Australian Test Team (including W. M. Woodful) a whole day at Galle. The team was on their way back to Australia.

He used his influence to presuade the C.C.A. to allocate a match to Galle, when visiting teams came to the Island.

His portrait was unveiled at the Galle Cricket Club pavilion by the Governor General Sir O.E. Goonetilleke, who paid a glowing tribute to him.

Another portrait of his in full dress with bands and gown, was unveiled at the Galle Law Library by the then Chief Justice Hema Basnayake.

In recognition of the laudable services rendered by him, he was made an O B E (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) by the Queen.

In later years he became one of the few leaders who formed a Branch of the “Sinhala Maha Sabha” at Galle.

During the matches with foreign teams at Galle, it was observed that the spectators cheered only the local side. So with an unfurled multi-coloured umbrella in hand, EMK walked the boundary line appealing to the crowd to cheer both sides!

When he passed away on 19-12-1976 at the age of 90, he was not the affluent man that he was in his great days.

The last time Ruhunu Puthra met him was at a weeding, where he made a speech in Sinhala, ending it with a Sinhala verse which he recited rhythmically, blessing the newly wed.

He once declared “This game we love so much has been truly described as” the finest game the wit of man has devised”. May the true spirit of Cricket prevail in all our encounters, both in and off the field.

We do not often realise the important bearing cricket, played in the proper spirit, has on the formation of character. A certain English writer said once t hat cricket has become an Imperial asset. I should go further and say that it is a National asset and even a family asset. Its code of ethics and of honour is so high that the expression. “It is not cricket” is commonly used with regard to any line of action or human conduct that is no t perfectly straight upright and above board”.

With the completion of the Galle International Cricket Stadium, it as the fervent wish of the people of Galle that it be named after him as it will be as appropriate as having named the stadia after P. Saravanamuttu, V. A. Sugathadasa and R. Premadasa, for their dedication and invaluable services to sports. But it was not to be.

Edwin Mend’s Karunaratna is an unsure hero.