Ranjith Samarasekara was a top cricketer to come out of St Anthony’s College, he was a sportsman and stalwart of Colombo Colts Cricket Club, who died at age of 76 in the year 2017. He was an outstanding sportsman excelling at athletics and cricket being one time Public Schools javelin champion. He was the first Antonian recipient of the Double Eagle award(athletics and cricket), the highest award presented by the school for sports. Ranjith came to St Anthony’s College from Maris Stella College Negombo and gave his heart and soul to the school.
In cricket Samarasekera was an all-rounder, he bowled left-arm leg-spin and was an excellent close-in fielder in addition to his batting. He was a contemporary of ACM Lafir, the former All-Ceylon cricketer and opening bat and represented his school team from 1955-58. Since leaving school he was an active member of St Anthony’s College OBA, main branch in Kandy and in the Colombo Branch. He was a stalwart at Colombo Colts CC and was a livewire at all the club’s affairs. Ranjith was coach, president and patron of the club. He was also a national cricket selector and during his period three former Antonian cricketers played for Sri Lanka in Test cricket – Muttiah Muralitharan, Piyal Wijetunge and Ruwan Kalpage.
He is best remembered for the role he played in the Saints Quadrangular, the flagship event of the Old Boys of the four premier Catholic schools in Sri Lanka – St Anthony’s College, St Benedict’s College, St Joseph’s College and St Peter’s College.
He was a pioneer member of the inaugural organising committee in 1963, was a pillar of strength to the Saints Quadrangular convincing the OBUs of the four schools after the inaugural event to make it an annual event. He was present at every organising committee since then.
At the 47th Saints Quadrangular in 2014, he was honoured when a trophy named Ranjith Samarasekera Challenge Trophy was donated by the Old Peterites Sports Club to be awarded to the winners of the Rugby Sevens in recognition of the commitment and excellent service rendered by him towards the success of the tournament. Ranjith is today sorely missed not only by the Antonian fraternity but by the Saints Quadrangular Schools fraternity.
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