One of the most prominent figure in Sri Lanka Cricket Michael De Zoysa passed away last week and former players, including Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, went all out on social networking sites like Twitter, mourning his loss.
Michael, a former Sri Lanka Team manager and a stalwart of prestigious Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), breathed his last in Nawala following a massive heart attack on September 30, a day before his 73rd Birthday.
In his funeral yesterday in Colombo, Sri Lanka Cricket stalwart Nishantha Ranatunga, Anura Tennakoon, Ranjan Paranavithana, Hashan Tilakaratne, Brandan Kurruppu, Michael Tissera, Hemantha Wickramaratne, Charith Senanayake, Carlton Bernadus, Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne, Avishka Gunawardane and majority of SSC present and past cricketers were present.
Even, Navin Dissanayake, the most graceful and humble Sports Minister Sri Lanka has had ever blessed, attended the funeral, despite his political commitments amidst upcoming presidential election.
But shockingly, as if they will live forever, not a single official from SLC was present at the funeral.
SLC top administrators – President Shammi Silva, vice president Ravin Wickramaratne, Secretary Mohan De Silva are currently in Pakistan for Sri Lanka’s ongoing tour, spreading peace and harmony in neighbor country, by showing solidarity with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
However, at Micheal’s funeral, no one from the SLC bothered to attend the last rites. Cricket Age understands that in the absence of Mohan De Silva, it was the responsibility of Crysantha Kapuwatha as acting secretary, but he also didn’t attend the funeral.
A legend like Michael De Zoysa, who worked for the betterment of the Sri Lanka cricket till his very last day and has been credited to discover former world cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga and many more, certainly deserved a better farewell.
