Kandy has produced plenty of sportsmen and among them are the Yatawara family who have made a name for themselves.
For example, Udaya Yatawara is known to be a fine sportman having excelled in Cricket, Rugby, Football and Athletics at Dharmaraja College, Kandy. He is known to be a top quality all-rounder in cricket, having represented the school from 1979 to 1982, played Rugby and participated in Athletics too winning school colours in all three sports. Dharmaraja College has produced many top-notch cricketers and in 1981-82, Udaya seemed to have really revelled, making over 900 runs, averaging over 50 per innings. While in the cricket team during his heyday Udaya really excelled in fielding and Kandy had fine fielders like Lalith Wijeratne, Bernard Perera etc.
There was a contest in 1981 for the selection of the Best Batsman of the year in Kandy at St. Anthony’s grounds and there was Duleep Mendis, Susil Fernando, Sidath Wettimuny, Ranjan Madugalle and some others and in that contest Udaya Yatawara’s outstanding fielding helped him for the highest haul of catches. After leaving school, Udaya played for Kandy Cricket Club in ‘A’ Division cricket as an opening batsman from 1983 to 1988 and also for George Steuarts in Mercantile Cricket. He turned out to be a great success and they were able to win many tournaments. While cricket took pride of place in his sporting career, Udaya did not forget Athletics and Football and he encouraged young sportsmen to improve their interest in sports. A Public Schools coloursman in Athletics, he was a prominent participant in the Mercantile Sector. Udaya was the President of the Old Boys Union of Dharmaraja College, Kandy (Colombo Branch).
Sports goes a long way in the family as Udaya’s elder brother Hemantha received the highest award ‘Dagoba’ at Dharmaraja College for Rugby, Hockey and Athletics. He was attached to the Police as an Inspector and played rugby for Police and the country as well. The other brother Saman, also a sportsman was attached to the Police and ended his career as Deputy Inspector General.
He has 6 brothers in all. Hemantha, Saman and Udaya played for the 1st fifteen rugby team of Dharmaraja College in 1980 which was captained by Hemantha and the team coach was Lanil Tennakoon.
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