Last week whilst mingling with my past school mates at the Ananda Nalanda match, I spotted a guy who stood out of the ordinary, ebony in colour with a head of striking silver hair who certainly looked like an ex West Indian Cricketer. Inquiries revealed that he is none other than Ananda Jayatilleka(AJ) popularly called ANA by his friends who said that he not only looked like a West Indian but batted like one, he was a treat to watch they said. I was not fortunate enough to see him play as I was overseas at that time.
AJ’s skills were recognised by the men who mattered and was selected to represent Ceylon schools. Subsequently the famous Indian tour of the Ceylon Schools Team took place and without doubt laid the foundation for Sri Lanka Cricket today. It produced four National cricketers including two Sri Lanka captains in Duleep Mendis & Bandula Warnapura. AJ’s outstanding batting and wicket keeping led him to be adjudged the “BEST CRICKETER OF THE TOUR” from both Ceylon and Indian teams winning the IRENE AWARD presented by the Indian Cricket Board, an accolade of excellence for Sri Lanka when cricket was not so lucrative and professional like today. AJ was of the view that his cricket peaked during that Indian tour.
AJ was offered employment at ARPICO by P I Pieris who was the vice captain of the All Ceylon team then and was absorbed to play for SSC in the Sara Trophy . He kept wickets for SSC under Anura Tennakoon and Sunil Wettimuny.Changing lanes a bit now. His employment involved studies in Rubber Technology at the Moratuwa University which partly hindered his cricket. Incidentally AJ not only excelled in cricket but in his studies as well obtaining 6 Ds out of 8 subjects at OL’s which was outstanding at the time. His involvement in studies took him off cricket which cost him a definite place in the National side. However, AJ had no regrets since he had stamped his mark in the corporate world, due to his professional qualifications. He was instrumental in starting several new companies for ARPICO including Richard Pieris Exports PLC that has added so much value to the national economy today. Starting as a Management Trainee AJ rose to be a senior main board Director of Richard Pieris & Company. His contribution to the Rubber Industry was recognized by way of a merit award by the Plastics & Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka. He later started a new export venture company by the name Latex Green as Chairman/MD and presently serves in several boards under the John Keells & Hayleys groups.
Whilst he was employed in Zambia from 1978 to 1984 in the Copper Mines and later in General Tyre. He represented the Zambian National Cricket Team and was unlucky to miss playing for East African Team in the world cup for not having the required period of residency in Africa. His records show some good performance by him for Zambia against leading teams like the MCC.
AJ,s cricketing achievements in India and Zambia were numerous and to do justice to a few of them, I would like to include some snippets from the news papers of those countries:
TIMES OF INDIA
Ceylon schools reign supreme- Wettimuny, 5 for 30; Jayatillake, 72, rattle Indians, it further stated,”The lad who started the ball rolling was opener Ananda Jayatillake who hit the Indian bowlers to the tune of 72 runs. He was a picture of elegance as he stroked his way in to the runs. He cut and drove the bowling with great confidence and had complete command over the bowlers.”
The hindu-Feb 2 1970
Bannerjee’s inspired display in vain: Ceylon schools win series
“One notable feature in Ceylon’s fielding was the excellent work of wicket keeper Jayatilleke. A frail looking youngster he impressed everyone with his agility and anticipation, he claimed four victims.”
Zambian Times
Tanzania Vs Zambia- “Brilliant batting by Jayatillake together with Patel helps Zambia to beat Tanzania.”
Zambia Vs Minor Counties- “Zambia started off badly losing opener Sunil Eratne(another old Anandian) with the total at six. Of the early batsmen only Ananda Jayatilleke displayed any confidence, against the counties attack, but he was unfortunately run out for two.”
NKANA ’A’ batsman destroys Roan
A brilliant century by opening batsman Ananda Jayatilleke helped his club to pile up a mammoth score of 304 for the loss of only 4 wickets in the 40 overs Henderson cricket trophy against Roan in Luanshya on Sunday.His score of 135 came in only 101 minutes off 93 balls and included 5 sixes and 14 hits to the boundary.
AJ admits that his cricketing skills was mainly due to watching cricket being played at the Railway grounds in Mount Mary. He was fortunate to have a Birds eye view from the Prisons Quarters where he lived during his school days. AJ honed his skills by hitting a table tennis ball using a broom stick, his imagination running riot imitating many famous names of the time.
AJ is a classic example of how one could make use of cricket to build a good personality and be a good leader and create value for the nation as a true sportsman.
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