In the history of cricket of many lands there has occurred the presence of families famous in their sphere, families in sport, who personified the game of their choice. They made a lasting impression on cricket in particular so that they live in memory as colossi of the game.

English cricket was blessed with the Grace family – brothers Dr. W. G. and E. M. South Africa had brothers Graeme and Peter Pollock, and Peter’s son Shaun. India were blessed with the Nayudu brothers, Col. C. K. and C. S. In Pakistan, there were Hanif, Mustaq and Sadiq Mohammed. Sri Lanka (Ceylon) was the proud possessor of the Gunasekara Brothers, D. B., E. I. and Dr. C. H., each renowned in the sport that was cricket, in particular.

C. H. Gunasekera (Doctor of Medicine) is known as the "father" of Ceylon cricket. He qualified in Medicine at the Middlesex Hospital and played County Cricket for Middlesex.

At that time, in the 1920s, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) knew nothing of international cricket. There was some domestic cricket but not organised as a regular event, although there was a Ceylon Cricket Association.

There had to be some greater incentive for progress to a higher level of skill and proficiency. This inspiration came in 1920. Dr. Gunasekera approached the Secretary of the M. C. C. (W. Findlay) and requested a fixture in Colombo when the England team sailed for Australia for the "Ashes" games. On being assured by Dr. Gunasekara that Ceylon had a governing body for the sport, Findlay agreed and the M. C. C. played in Colombo on their way to Australia. Australia, and the other cricket playing nations, soon followed the M. C. C.’s example. Colombo, therefore, began to see many famous players, including Don Bradman, in action.

The foundation had been laid and Ceylon Cricket prospered!

Today we remember, with a certain mixture of sadness and pride, the passing away, a year ago, of Dr. Gunasekara’s son, Channa, who carried on the great Gunasekara tradition of sport, cricket in particular, for which the foundation had been laid by his father.

Channa, as we all knew him, represented Sri Lanka against several visiting teams and also toured India. He was an opening batsman of definite class and pleasing style.

He played several long innings of great character and sure technique against Australia, M. C. C., India and Pakistan.

Outstanding was the opening partnership he built with Makkin Salih against Australia’s Lindwall and Johnstone and Keith Miller at the Colombo Oval in 1953, the most feared fast bowlers of the day. And that was on a green Colombo Oval wicket! This wicket, said the Australian bowlers, they would like to take with them to England for the Tests!

Channa Gunasekara, with Makkin Salih, stood up to the pace and bounce and menace of the Australian trio and earned the admiration of Captain Lindsay Hassett and the bowlers!

Channa followed in his father’s footsteps in playing for the Singhalese Sports Club (S. S. C.) with great success. He went on to Captain the Club in the standard expected of him.

It was a time when the S. S. C. was at its most powerful. The Club even entered two teams for the premier cricket tournament of the day. Channa opened batting for S. S. Jayawickrama’s team which, however, lost in the Final of the Daily News Trophy to S. S. C.’s ‘A Team’ captained by the notable F. C. De Saram. This "dual" club success is celebrated by a historic picture of the two teams "A" and "B" hanging on the walls of the S. S. C. pavilion!

Channa was not an accumulator of runs. Class and grace characterised his play, and even if he did not make a big score, he did create an impression of the finer side of batsmanship’s beauty.

Channa once played a magnificent innings, opening the batting as usual, against Madras in the Gopalan Trophy fixture. He scored 150 on the Chepauk Ground in Madras. It was the showpiece of an innings which gave great pleasure to an appreciative crowd who had the good fortune then of witnessing one of cricket’s delights!

Channa was before his time. He did not have the good fortune, as did others, of playing in regular fixtures internationally or, indeed, in a World Cup! Sri Lanka had not entered the world sphere. With his style and technique and skill he would surely have savoured the opportunity.

As a human being, Channa lived as an example of the highest calibre. He was devoted to his family and took pride in his antecedents. He loved good music devoted as he was to the classics, Beethoven in particular. He also loved dancing showing equal grace and style as he did in his cricket.

Channa demonstrated courage in his writing on subjects cricket, particularly when players or administrators acted in a manner, that he perceived, to be detrimental to the game. He beat no popular drum, but described it as he saw it, for the betterment of the game.

Channa also enjoyed travelling regularly to the jungles of Sri Lanka to enjoy its natural beauty and charms, Wilpattu in particular. That was before he succumbed to the charming beauty, Shanthi, who became his wife and source of support and strength to the very end.

Channa played for Royal College, captaining the team in 1949. He batted with distinction and a certain style – and success.

In that year as captain, Royal College has a good season till they came up against St. Thomas’ College in the "Big Match"!

In the final innings, St. Thomas’ were left a gettable total and were going well when there was an unfortunate incident. The Thomian batsman Chellaraj, in going for a quick single, was obstructed by a close-in fielder, and was declared out!

The run-out batsman Chellaraj had almost reached the pavilion on his way back, when one witnessed one of the greatest sporting gestures ever seen. Channa Gunasekara, sensing that the batsman was out "unfairly", ran to the pavilion and called Chellaraj back to the batting crease.

There were loud and long cheers from the Thomian tent and the crowd which had witnessed one of the great sporting actions on the field of cricket. The result did not matter any longer. Cricket had won!

This is a fitting epitaph for the passing away of a cricket gentleman – a rare good fellow! Cricket was his forte and he lived his life according to cricket’s tenets – fair play and justice being his constant guides.

Today we remember Channa, this first anniversary of his passing away, and offer Shanthi and Chanaka our sincere regrets at his untimely departure. We pray for their solace and a strength to uphold them.

We who knew him feel the sadness of his passing and remember him with pride and affection.