Rex Clementine in The Island, June 2025
One of the most heartwarming sights at Monday’s SLC Cricket Awards was the image of two titans of yesteryear – Mr. Chandra Schaffter and Mr. Stanley Jayasinghe – seated side by side, deep in conversation, reminiscing about their golden days in flannels. It was a picture worth a thousand runs, capturing the essence of an era when cricket was more character than cash.
Stanley batting for Leicestershire in the 1950s
Chandra at ease today
At 95, Mr. Schaffter is the oldest living cricketer to have represented Ceylon. Nine months his junior, Mr. Jayasinghe is a close second. But they are more than just former players; they are pillars upon which Sri Lankan cricket was built – men who played the game, served the game, and shaped it for generations to come.
An old boy of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Mr. Schaffter turned out for Tamil Union and Ceylon before making his mark in the corporate world. A smart businessman with a heart for sport, he built one of the country’s leading insurance firms, which today stands as a proud sponsor of cricket.
Mr. Jayasinghe, a proud son of Nalanda College, carved out a two-decade career in England, representing Leicestershire in county cricket – an achievement few Ceylonese could dream of back then. A man of principles, he famously refused to play against the all-white South African side who were touring England during the apartheid era, taking a stand long before it became fashionable.
Both men served Sri Lankan cricket across multiple roles – selectors, coaches, administrators and team managers. Their stints as Manager of the national side were marked by discipline and dignity. They were known for calling a spade a spade, earning both respect and results in the dressing room.
As they made their way up to receive their Lifetime Achievement Awards from SLC President Shammi Silva, the audience rose as one – giving a standing ovation to two men who helped lay the foundation for Sri Lanka’s cricketing journey. Their innings may have ended long ago, but their legacy is still playing on.
Joining them on the honours list was another stalwart – Mr. Ranjit Fernando. Renowned for his coaching stints with the national team in the 1990s, Mr. Fernando was instrumental in transforming Sri Lanka into a world-class fielding unit. A lifelong servant of NCC, he has been a mentor and father figure to generations of cricketers – from Aravinda de Silva to Kumar Sangakkara.
Mr. Janaka Pathirana, a leading force behind the Kandy District Cricket Association, was also felicitated.
The evening, in all its colour and splendour, celebrated excellence both past and present. Kamindu Mendis walked away with the Men’s Cricketer of the Year award, while Chamari Atapattu had a clean sweep – pocketing six of the seven international women’s awards, once again underlining her towering presence in Sri Lanka’s cricketing landscape.
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Chandra Schaffter at Hockey: For School, University & Ceylon
SOME PICTORIAL ‘STRIKES’ in THUPPAHI and OTHER WORKS
Stanley batting for Leicestershie in England in the 1950s
Jayasinghe was instrumental in Clive Inman joining the Leicester ranks. They comprised the backbone of the middle order for a little over 5 years.