Jackson Karunaratne of Pothupitiya, Wadduwa in Kalutara District is an excellent and popular volleyball coach who coaches students at several schools in Kalutara.
His performance a a volleyball Referee at many inter school and National Level tournaments, has made many responsible authorities much satisfied, since his decisions are always quite reasonable and fair.
I have personally witnessed how he performs as a fine volleyball Referee at Several inter-school volleyball tournaments.
Jackson commenced his volleyball career as an under 16 student at his alma mater, Pothupitiya M. V. Kalutara, Pothupitiya MV. had been recognized by the volleyball fans and many players as well as volleyball coaches as one of the best schools for volleyball in the Island those days, Even now, the moment somebody says’ Volleyball,” he or she immediately mentions and recollects Pothupitiya MV. Because, those days (even now) there was no school to challenge Pothupitiya MV. Jackson was the volleyball captain of the under 16 volleyball (men’s) team at Pothupitiya MV. In 1965.
In 1966, he was able to bring his under 19 (Boys) Volleyball team, victory in the Under 19 All Ceylon Inter-School Volleyball tournament. He being the captain brought another victory as the champions for his under 19 Inter-school volleyball tournament in 1967. He was again the captain of the volleyball team that won All Ceylon under 19 volleyball championship held in 1968.
He played volleyball at his school, until his school won the All Ceylon Inter School volleyball tournament, sponsored by ‘Lankadeepa’ in 1969. The final competition of its was due to be held on March 16, 1969. But as he had to join the Sri Lanka Army on 05 March, 1969 he was not permitted to play in the final.
As he was not allowed to play in that tournament, Pothupitiya MV. Team was defeated by the Mabima Vidyalaya, in Gampaha. He was extremely worried about that set back and the defeat of his team. Jackson, as an Army officer, played volleyball while serving in the Engineering Regiment of the Army from 1969 to 1981. During that period he worked and served as a captain in the ‘Sapphire’ Group.
He left the Sri Lanka Army and joined the Air Force in 1981 and worked as a volleyball coach and followed the Beach volleyball practical training programme, conducted by several foreigners, who had come to Sri Lanka from time to time.
Jackson was also serving as the vice chairman of Veterans volleyball Association, and also as an executive committee member of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation. He is also a life member of the most popular volleyball club in Kalutara Lucky-6 ‘volleyball Club. Further to the volleyball sporting ability and potential, Jackson got a golden opportunity to undergo training as a volleyball coach under Appe Chrishanjans from Holland in 2002 and got through its final test with flying colours. He again successfully completed a Beach volleyball training course, conducted by another foreigner who arrived in Sri Lanka, for the first time. Jackson, next served as a co-ordinating coach there upto 2002.
During this period Jackson was able to guide the Sri Lanka Air Force to theTravel trade Volleyball Championship, as he played a significant role as the team captain at the tournament. He was also an active member of the ‘Lucky-6 volleyball Team, Pothupitiya which won the overall championship at many inter-club volleyball tournaments, held for a number of years.
Jackson Karunaratne was honoured in a grand felicitation ceremony by the volleyball fans for the yeoman, and satisfactory service, he has done in the volleyball field, recently.
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