Good evening and a warm welcome to all friends, relatives and family of Lord K. M. Nelson fondly known to us as Nelli.
We are gathered this evening to celebrate a milestone event, the 80th Birthday of this very special person, our dear friend Neill.
When I look back on the past five decades, there is much to be said of his achievements. If I had to cover all aspects —we will be here till Christmas. To keep it short and simple, his life has revolved around 3 core segments. Cricket, Maharajas and Family.
Cricket was his passion. Hailing from Ambalangoda he played cricket for Dharmasoka College. He had the privilege of captaining the team and was an outstanding bowler, being the leading wicket taker in schools that season.
Leaving school, he joined the Sri Lanka Air Force. Very soon he was entrusted with the responsibility of captaining the team. Leading from the front, they won the Division II: Donavan Andree Shield which propelled the Air Force to play in the Division I: Sara.
He was the proud recipient of the Vartharaja Award for the Most Outstanding Sportsman of the year, the first time a cricketer from the outstation received this award in the Air Force.
Having left the Air Force, he continued his cricket, playing for CCC. He could read the game well with his shrewd cricketing brain He became one of the most successful bowlers in club cricket. Year in, year out, he had a rich haul of wickets at a very economical average. It was unfortunate that the selectors never rewarded him with a National Cap. Had he been playing today, he would have made a fortune playing in the IPL.
Nelli helped CCC to win the Sara Trophy for the first time in1979 under the leadership of Michael Tissera.Nelli’s involvement with CCC spanned nearly 20 years as a player,coordinator and Secretary. During this time, CCC won the Sara Trophy on two occasions and many considered it the golden years of CCC Cricket.
His dedication to the game was such that he found time to serve as President of the Mercantile Cricket Association and was a member of the Cricket Board EX-Co for 15 years. He served as a National Selector for several years.He always ensured that selection was strictly on merit and his judgment never was clouded by favouritism.
Nelli’s career-defining moment came when he joined the Maharaja Organization where he was appointed as a Factory Manager of AF Jones Tea Exporters.
As always, he was totally committed and involved in all activities of the company. He was the catalyst around which Maharaja Cricket was built and blossomed. They were Mercantile A-Division Champions for 5 consecutive years – a rare achievement indeed.
His loyalty and commitment was soon recognized by his mentor,Mr. Rajamahendran, the Managing Director of Maharaja Organization. He was duly rewarded when he was appointed to the Board of Directors of A.F. Jones Tea Exporters.Nelli admits that he climbed the ladder of success the hard way, but attributes his position in life today largely to the wonderful support he received from Mr. Rajamahendran.
On his retirement, he was given the opportunity of operating a blending packeting company to service AF Jones Tea Exporters.
He is grateful to the valuable support he received from Jayantha Monnekulame, Sri Lal Ahangama and Rasool Deen.
The success behind Nelli was that inspirational and wonderful lady Kumudini whom he married in 1963. She was always supportive of his involvement in cricket and work.They were blessed with 3 wonderful children Minoli, Ritchi and Dennis.
In 1992, the sudden passing away of Kumudini shocked the Nelson family and friends. It was a very sad and sorrowful moment for us all.
During the difficult years to follow, Nelli played his role as a very loving and devoted father.
The death of their youngest son Dennis devastated Nelli and the family. It was a cruel blow leaving pain and suffering for all of us.
Through all these difficult moments Nelli stood like a rock to keep the rest of the family stable.
Today, we are all happy for Nelli that he has seven beautiful grandchildren who adore their Grandpa.Nelli is a legend in his own right. A straight-talking, no nonsense character who always believed in calling a spade a spade.
I have been very fortunate to have known and be associated with him for over 50 years and in the process, may have downed thousands of halves at the CCC Bar.Yes, a very loyal friend indeed who stood by me in good times and bad. Ladies and gentlemen, would you now do me the honour of being upstanding and raising your glasses to toast my dear friend on his 80th birthday……………. I give you Nelli!
Among the distinguished gathering were former cricketing legends Arjuna Ranatunga, Michael Tissera, Bandula Warnapura, Lalith Kaluperuma, Nirmal Hettiarachchi, Sidath Wettimuny, Roshan Mahanama, Ashley de Silva, David Heyn, Vernon Caldera, former Air Force Commander Jayalath Weerakkody, Air Commodore Gamini de Silva, Kumar Weerasuriya, Upali Seneviratne, Mahinda Seneviratne and, Chairman Nawaloka Holdings Jayantha Dharmadasa.
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