Vijaya Malalasekera

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Vijaya Malalasekera
Personal information
Full nameVijaya Prasanna Malalasekera
Born(1945-08-08)8 August 1945
Colombo, Western Province, Ceylon
Died5 February 2022(2022-02-05) (aged 76)
BattingRight-handed
BowlingUnknown
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1966–1968Cambridge University
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 27
Runs scored 699
Batting average 14.26
100s/50s –/2
Top score 80
Balls bowled 19
Wickets 0
Bowling average –
5 wickets in innings –
10 wickets in match –
Best bowling –
Catches/stumpings 11/–
Source: Cricinfo, 26 January 2022

Vijaya Prasanna Malalasekera (8 August 1945 – 5 February 2022) was a Sri Lankan first-class cricketer and cricket administrator, in addition to being a barrister and a businessman.[1]

Malalasekera was born in Colombo on 8 August 1945. His father was Gunapala Piyasena Malalasekera, an academic and a diplomat.[2] He was educated at Royal College in Colombo, where he played for the college cricket team. From there he travelled to England to study law at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.[3] While studying at Cambridge, he played first-class cricket for Cambridge University Cricket Club from 1966 to 1968, making 27 appearances.[4] He opened the batting in The University Match of 1967 alongside fellow Sri Lankan Mano Ponniah, with the pair becoming the first Asians to open the batting for Cambridge in the Varsity match.[3] In his 27 first-class appearances, he scored 699 runs at an average of 14.26.[5] He made two half centuries, with a highest score of 80 on his first-class debut against Essex at Fenner's in 1966.[6] His was the highest score in the Cambridge first innings.[7] His 1968 season was curtailed in June, due to a shoulder injury.[8]

After graduating from Cambridge, he was called to the bar to practice as a barrister from the Inner Temple.[9] Upon his return to Sri Lanka he became an advocate and began his private practice. He joined the Ceylon Tobacco Company as a senior management trainee in 1973, remaining with the company until his retirement in 2005.[9] Following internal turmoil in the Board of Control for Cricket, Malalasekera was appointed in March 2001 to head the four-man interim cricket board by Tourism and Sports Minister Lakshman Kiriella.[10] Post-retirement, he held a number of chairmanships at various companies, including Carson Cumberbatch.[9]

Malalasekera died on 5 February 2022, at the age of 76,[11] following a brief illness.[8]

References[]

  1. ^ "SLC express condolences on the passing away of Vijaya Malalasekara". The Papare. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Dr. G. P. Gunapala Malalasekara (1899-1973) Great scholar and world renowned Buddhist leader - News Features | Daily Mirror". dailymirror.lk. Wijeya Newspapers. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  3. ^ a b Wijeyaratna, Rohan (25 December 2021). "The incomparable Vijaya Malalasekera". The Island. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  4. ^ "First-Class Matches played by Vijaya Malalasekera". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  5. ^ "First-Class Batting and Fielding For Each Team by Vijaya Malalasekera". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  6. ^ "First-Class Batting and Fielding Against Each Opponent by Vijaya Malalasekera". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Cambridge University v Essex, 1966". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Vijaya Malalasekera no more". The Sunday Times. 6 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  9. ^ a b c "Boston Capital - Board of Directors". Archived from the original on 11 September 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  10. ^ Thawfeeq, Sa'adi (29 March 2001). "Malalasekera heads 4-member interim cricket board". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Former Sri Lanka Cricket Chairman Vijaya Malalasekara passed away". Sri Lanka Cricket. 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.

External links[]

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