There have many hockey players who represented Sri Lanka against State teams on overseas tours and although they were not classed as Internationals they were the best players picked for Ceylon and later Sri Lanka at that time.
It was the time when the quality of the game and players were of paramount importance and the best always mattered.
This account is the final instalment of a two-part series of the illustrious players and an insight into who they were.
VP Kulatunga: He was a Left-extreme who played for YMBA, Matale, CR and FC and Nationalised Services HAs and made tours of South India (1967) and North and South India (1969). The slightly built Kulatunga would surprise the opponents with his change of pace, stick-work and an array of clever passes. He represented the Matale HA at the National Championships in 1967 and the Nationalised Services.
TMS Saldin: A Right-half he played for Malay CC and the Mercantile HA and made a tour of North and South India in 1969. He was a very hardworking player who played for the Mercantile HA from 1966 to 1969.
Sanath Jayawardena: He was a Right-half who donned the jersey of Old Bens and Colombo HA and made a tour of North and South India in 1969. Sanath was solid in defence and would surprise his opponents in attack and represented the Colombo HA at the National Championships from 1963 to 1969, captaining in 1970 and again in 1974.
Sam Abeysekera: He played for the Burgher RC and Colombo HA and in 1969 toured North and South India. He was a wily player, a creative Forward who kept his opponents guessing having represented the Colombo HA at the National Championships in 1964 and 1966.
SBS Galagama: He was a versatile player who could have changed his game and style of play at any time as a Left-inside who played for Burgher RC, Matale and the Nationalised Services HA at the Nationals. He toured North and South India in 1969 and in the following year played against the Mysore Hockey Association.
NMM Fouzer: Light on his feet the tall and lanky Right-back played for Old Zahirians, Malay CC and Matale HA while touring North and South India in 1969 and Mysore in 1970. Fouzer was a classy defender whose positional play was impeccable. He would stem any dangerous move in the ‘D’ and simultaneously create an attacking move. He represented Matale HA from 1960 to 1967.
Clifford T Rodrigo: He was a Forward that any team would have liked to have in their ranks having represented Old Wesleyites, Burgher RC, Colombo HA and the Mercantile HA and made a tour of North and South India in 1969. A tireless player both in attack and defence, he was a match winner at all levels with the knack of deflecting passes into the net, surprising deep defenders and goalies. He represented the Mercantile HA at the National Championships from 1964 to 1970, captaining in 1971 and 1973 and also the Colombo HA in 1972, 1974/75.
M Zaheer: He toured North and South India in 1969.
KP Dias: He represented the Colombo HA and toured North and South India in 1969.
TA Kamaldeen: He was a Forward who played for the Colombo HA and toured Mysore in 1970.
AM Mihiladeen: He played for Old Zahirians SC, Matale and Mercantile HA and toured North and South India in 1971. He also represented Matale HA at the National championships from 1967 to 1969 and the Mercantile HA in 1972.
Clarence Xavier: He toured North and South India in 1971 and played for the Old Bens, Colombo HA and Mercantile HA. He represented Mercantile HA at the National championships from 1972 to 19675 and 1979 and Colombo HA in 1970.
R Mahendran: He made three tours of India from 1973 to 1975 playing against North and South India, Tamil Nadu HA and North India. He was a Half-back who played for CH and FC, Colombo HA and Mercantile HA. He played for the Mercantile HA at the National Championships in 1974 and 1980.
Anton Perera: As a Half-back he played for the Kandy HA and toured North and South India (1973), North India (1975) and Karnataka (1976).
H Jeganathan: He toured North and South India in 1973 and played as a full back for Old Wesleyites, Colombo HA and Mercantile HA. He represented Colombo HA at the National Championships from 1971 to 1973 and the Mercantile HA in 1977 and ’78.
Dr. Shanti McLelland: One of the best all-round sportsmen of Wesley College who also played for Bloomfield, Colombo HA and Mercantile HA. As a fullback he was a heart-and-soul man for hockey and toured Mysore in 1973 and North and South India in 1974. He was a prominent figure in the formation of the Old Wesleyites Hockey Club and his style of play made him a tireless defender. He played in the National Championships for the Colombo HA from 1969 to ’75.
A prominent academic, he was the principal of Wesley College from 2009 to 2013 and mainly responsible for initiating and building the swimming pool among other developments.
Alban David: He was credited with making tours of North and South India (1975), South India (1975), North India (1975) and Karnataka (1976) and played for Old Bens, Colombo HA and Mercantile HA. He also played in the Mercantile Championships from 1973 to 1979.
S Kumarasiri: He made a tour of North and South India in 1974.
Ranil Abeynaike: He played for SSC, Colombo HA and Mercantile HA and toured North and South India in 1974 having also played in the National Championships from 1974 to 1976.
H de Silva: He made a tour of North and South India in 1974.
F Ravi Fernando: He was a goal keeper who played for United Youngsters and the Colombo HA at the National championships in 1977 and 1978 and toured North India in 1975.
TR Sadikeen: He played for the Burgher RC, Colombo HA and the State Services HA and toured Karnataka in 1976.
