Within the tranquil confines of the Thomian cricket grounds by the sea at Mount Lavinia, on a sunny day, you could close your eyes and be conscious of nothing else except the soft thud of bat on leather and the faint salty tang of the sea.

It was against this idyllic setting that Bandula and Lakshmi Gunawardena introduced their mischievous eight-year-old son Aruna to that redoubtable Thomian cricket coach Lassie Abeywardena.

Lassie having instantly recognised the significance and potential of the boy, drafted him into the Thomian under-11 team in the year 1977. Little Aruna seized the moment and happily for cricket, converted his ebullience and effervescence to competitiveness, progressing through the junior ranks to the First XI side by virtue of runs acquired.

That he was assertive and opinionated even at a very early age was evidenced by the fact that he was elected to lead the schools under-11, under-13 and under-15 junior hopefuls prior to adding muscle to Anura Bulankulame’s First XIers in 1988.

Aruna’s blistering 54 before lunch ensured that the Thomians comprehensively demolished the Royalists by noon on day three at the 109th Battle of the Blues after a lapse of 24 years.

Gunawardenas’ ascendency into first class cricket was rapid, appearing under Duleep Mendis in the year 1988. The club probably coveting Aruna’s neat, compact, wristy, unhurried style, jettisoned him at the deep end to rub biceps with a galaxy of stars the Sinhalese Sports Club perennially paraded. That he held his nerve amidst the heavy weights speaks volumes of his ability and strength of character.

Right handed bat and right arm bowler, Aruna’s showpiece however was his batting. His cover drives could be crisp as anyone’s. Chunkily built, he could flick an in-dipper powerfully off his chunky pads into a flower bed over square leg and his succulent square cuts are tastefully executed. 5600 first class runs at an average 38.00 is an adequate reflection of his consistency.

Certainly more runs than some pretenders have made out to have made. Annexe to this his hawk eyed fielding at slip and short leg, having wrapped his palms around 88 catches at first class level is an impressive bag by any account.

Aruna could roll his arm over occasionally trafficking his slow to medium seamers, separating a couple of cozy partnerships in the process.

As per the first class figures depicted herein under his belt, coupled with his air of quiet confidence on the field, saw him being elevated to SSC’s captaincy in 1996, to lead a unique collection of exotics such as Arjuna Ranatunga, Asanka Gurusingha, Promodya Wickremasinghe with Marvan Atapattu manning the wings as his deputy.

Besides he is the first to lead the club in the under 24, the Premier Division, 2nd Division and 3rd Division in its 110 year existence.

Stats heavy laden with performance, Aruna’s single appearance for Sri Lanka defies explanation.

It is the view of some pundits of the game that Gunawardena deserved more than that stray appearance against India in February 1994.

Aruna remains the last Thomian to have worn the lion on his cap and blazer since 1994.

Of his exploits, a brilliant 145 not out against Western Province during our Sojourn in South Africa against the likes of Brett Shultz and Richard Snell both highly rated quickies underline his class.

Among several tons in first class cricket his 158 not out against Antonians stands out.

His 60 on a spiteful, wicked wicket against Punjab, the eventual Ranji Trophy winners in 1994 was apparently worth much more.

Possibly his many faceted personality may have got in the way of Test selection.

Aruna could be articulate, abrasive, charming, aloof and blunt in a single breath. Or perhaps his eccentricity and swagger may have swayed the hand that approved the team sheet on the dugouts door.

Despite whatever disappointments, Aruna my colleague breezes through life, blissfully single, philosophically cheerful, bearing responsibility for developing business at the branch of the bank that employs him.

A bit thicker around the equator, still plying his trade in the lower divisions of the game he loves.

A splendid companion to down a chilled can or two or even more at the end of hard day’s work or play.