Chronicle of a Proud Heritage and Fraternity

The Ananda-Nalanda Teams in 1926 
Seated (left to right): P. M Jayatileke, D. K. Kodagoda, J. B. Jayawarneda (Captain, Nalanda), Dr. G.P. Malalasekara, Mr. P.D.S Kularatne, W.W. Dep (Captain, Ananda), W.H. Wanasinghe, N. D. De S. Wijesekara. Standing (left to right): B. Amarasuriya, A. Attygala, N. Kularatne, T. D. Amaradasa, D. P. Boderagama, S. Kulatunga, M. Shamoon, K. Dharmadasa, W.S. Attygala, Osmund De Silva, B. Somadasa Perera, V. P. Jayasena. On the Ground: Arthur Perera, G. Wickramasinghe, Samuel Silva, G.S. Hevavisenti. 

As we stand at the threshold of our journey’s culmination, eagerly anticipating the 94th traditional cricket encounter between Ananda and Nalanda, known as the “Chronicle of a Proud Heritage and Fraternity,” a sense of anticipation fills the air. Scheduled for March 2nd & 3rd 2024, this event, along with the 47th Limited Over Encounter slated for March 17th 2024 – both to be held at the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) Grounds – marks a significant new chapter in our shared legacy. The ticket launch ceremony, held on February 21st 2024, at the Kingsbury Hotel, added to the excitement surrounding these matches. Reflecting on past encounters, the last triumph in a Battle of the Maroons was claimed by Ananda College in 2003, while Nalanda College secured their most recent victory in 2022, ending a sixty-nine-year drought. Nalanda College, established as an offshoot of Ananda College in 1924, joined hands to create the Ananda-Nalanda “Big Match,” aimed at fostering camaraderie among students of both institutions, and nurturing their cricketing prowess. The inaugural Battle of the Maroons unfolded in 1924, cementing a longstanding tradition between the Ananda and Nalanda Colleges. Since the 1970’s, the Battle of the Maroons has blossomed to become the most productive school cricket encounter in the Island producing national cricketers of extraordinary talent and cricketing intellect.

Sunil Wettimuny, flew the team back home

Two of the most noteworthy cricketers the Maroons have produced, that have brought glory to Sri Lanka Cricket are Bandula Warnapura of Nalanda - the first Test captain, and Arjuna Ranatunga of Ananda - the captain of the World Cup winning team of 1996. This is only a glimpse of the contribution that the two schools have made to Sri Lanka Cricket as they continue to provide the largest contingent of players to the Sri Lankan National Cricket squad. The Big Matches are also known as “March Madness” as they are usually held at the end of the first school term in March. The Big Matches provide competition among schools, and they also serves as a meeting place for many old boys. This is an annual calendar event that is looked forward to between rival schools in Sri Lanka. These schools have been playing against one another for many years, some for over a century. The Big Matches have become an important part of modern Sri Lankan culture, with both school children and adults taking part in the activity. 

Significantly a total of four Anandians and Nalandians were in this historic team. Year after year we witness the traditional Battle of the Maroons played in a brotherly rivalry that has produced many fine cricketers to the nation from our two schools. It is one of the finest examples of the benefits that two schools can derive by joining forces to work together towards common goals. Both our schools together have produced over 56 “Sri Lanka Caps” that include our legends such as the first Test captain, Bandula Warnapura, World Cup winning captain in 1996, Arjuna Ranathunga, First Test Centurion, Sidath Weththamuni, National captains, Mahela Jayawardena (ICC Cricket Hall of Fame), Roshan Mahanama, Marvan Atapattu, Thilina Kandamby and Dinesh Chandimal. Not forgetting the 1996 World Cup-winning players Asanka Gurusinghe and Kumar Dharmasena. Further, both schools have produced many to join the Sri Lanka “A” Team, Development Squad and Under-19 Players which is a testimony of our strength at all levels of our national cricket. 

In this discourse, I wish to mention a few notable names of yesteryear stars: D. Weerasinghe, B. S. Perera, Sonny Yatawara, Stanley Jayasinghe, Carl Obeysekara, Sarath Wimalaratne, Ashly De Silva, Dr N.M. Perera, Jayawikrama Perera & Lincoln Perera (brothers), Anuruddha Polonowita & Parakrama Polonowita (brothers), Sunil Weththamuny, Mithra Weththamuny & Sidath Weththamuny (brothers), Sanjeewa Senanayaka & Saliya Senanayaka (brothers), Lalith Kaluperuma, Kalinga Kaluperuma, & Sanath Kaluperuma (brothers), Palitha Senaviratne & Jayantha Senaviratne (brothers), Dammika Ranathunga, Arjuna Ranathunga, Nishantha Ranathunga & Sanjeewa Ranathunga (brothers), Lalith Gunaratne & Channa Gunaratne (brothers), Chanaka Ekanayaka & Senaka Ekanayaka (brothers), Devaka Mahanama & Roshan Mahanama (brothers), Lakshman Ranasinghe, Anura Ranasinghe & Aruna Ranasinghe (brothers), Desmond Narangoda, Eastman Narangoda, Leslie Narangoda & Jayantha Narangoda (brothers), Sepala Molligoda, Parakrama Molligoda & Gemunu Molligoda (brothers), Nalin Jayasinghe & Nanduka Jayasinghe (brothers), Sunil Jayasinghe & Ananda Jayasinghe (brothers), Priyankara Senaviratne & Aruna Senaviratne (brothers), Nelson Karunaratne & Susantha Karunaratne (father and son),  Kushan Chandrasiri & Kanishka Chandrasiri (father and son), Duleep Samaraweera & Tilan Samaraweera (brothers). 

I wish to express my appreciation and recognition to all open-source web-based articles and picture courtesy. A special acknowledgement to the Battle of the Maroons website https://www.battleofthemaroons.lk/index.html maintained by the BOM, for providing information extracts and pictures. Let’s unite in enriching the proud legacy of the Battle of the Maroons on our renewed journey. Enjoy the splendid game of the Gentlemen! 

The writer of this article is the Co-Chairman of the Battle of the Maroons (2024). He is also the President of the Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers and formerly Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force and Ambassador to Afghanistan. 

Former rival captains of the 1955 Big Match: Amarasiri Gunasena (Nalanda) and Dhanasiri Weerasinghe (Ananda) with Anuruddha Polonowita (extreme right) - captain of Ananda in 1957 and coach of Ananda College for 38 years 

The Sri Lanka Cricket Team for the very 1st Prudential World Cup 1975, held in England. 
Standing: I.R.D. Mendis, L.V. Kaluperuma, S.R. De S. Wettimuny, A.R.M. Opatha, H.S.M. Pieris, G.R.A. De Silva, D.S. De Silva, D.R. Chanmugan, A.N. Ranasinghe, Bandula Warnapura. Seated: R.D. Heyn, A.P.B. Tennekoon (Captain), Mr. K. Perera (Manager), M. H. Tissera, E. R. Fernando 

Stanley Jayasinghe, the first Nalanda cricketer to represent Sri Lanka during the pre-Test era, was honoured at a felicitation ceremony organized by the Old Nalandians Sports Club. Jayantha Senaviratne and Amarasiri Gunasena on either side