The Singhalese Sports Club (SSC), a beacon of sporting excellence in Sri Lanka, is gearing up for a grand celebration to commemorate 125 years of its storied legacy and achievements.
Scheduled for March 28, 2024, at the prestigious Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo, this momentous occasion is expected to draw the attention of the nation’s sports community and distinguished international guests.
His Excellency Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, accompanied by Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe, will grace the event, highlighting its significance in the country’s sports calendar.
Adding to the splendor of the evening will be former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain and former ICC Elite Umpire Simon Taufel, among the notable attendees. Ranjan Madugalle, the ICC Chief Match Referee and a life member of SSC, is set to deliver a special address, making the celebration even more noteworthy.
The event will also serve as a platform to honor the past and present greats of the game and esteemed club administrators who have contributed to SSC’s rich history.
In a tribute to its remarkable journey, SSC will unveil a special stamp and a first-day cover, alongside the launch of a book that chronicles the club’s 125-year saga.
Reflecting on this milestone, Mr. I.S DeSilva, President of SSC, stated, “SSC stands tall and firm in its 125-year history, aspiring to drive the sporting passion of our nation into the future.”
Mr. Vasantha Wijesekara, the Honorary Secretary, emphasized the club’s forward-looking vision, particularly in developing facilities for cricket, to uphold and carry forward SSC’s cricketing legacy.
The club’s commitment to excellence is further exemplified by its plans to invest in the historic SSC Ground, one of the oldest test venues in the country. Upgrades include the installation of floodlights for day-night cricket, expansion of spectator capacity, and modernization of the Press Box, ensuring that SSC continues to be at the forefront of Sri Lanka’s cricketing future.
As part of the 125th Anniversary Celebrations, SSC has outlined a series of events, starting with a Masters Games that will see participation from legendary sports figures across various disciplines. An Invitational T20 cricket tournament scheduled for September highlights SSC’s dedication to fostering sporting excellence.
Expressing gratitude, Mr. Wijesekara acknowledged the support of primary sponsors, including Sri Lankan Air Lines, Singer Sri Lanka, and others, whose contributions have been pivotal to the success of the 125th Anniversary Banquet.
SSC’s cricketing heritage is unparalleled, with a record of winning the Main Club Cricket Competition 33 times and producing 130 players who have represented Sri Lanka. The club takes pride in its contribution to the national team, including World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga and other cricketing legends who have brought glory to the nation.
As SSC celebrates this significant anniversary, it reaffirms its commitment to nurturing the spirit of sportsmanship and contributing to the sporting legacy of Sri Lanka for future generations.
Mr. Samantha Dodanwela – Chairman Cricket House Committee also stated “Starting from Anura Tennakoon, who led Sri Lanka in the 1975 World Cup, many more SSC players went onto Captain Sri Lanka and bring glory to the nation. SSC has produced the first test centurion in Sidath Wettimuny, First Twin Centurian in Duleep Mendis, Holder of the highest individual test score by a Sri Lankan and the highest no of test centuries at a single venue in Mahela Jayawardena and the fastest Spinner to 50 test Wickets in Prabath Jayasuriya among numerous other achievements in International Cricket by SSC cricketers but above all the epic moment of its was 1996, when Sri Lanka won the ICC Men’s 50 over World Cup under the leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga.”
