Palitha Gunasekera, an old Anandian is an outstanding cricketer and a coach as well. He won the United Nation’s Outstanding Volunteer Award (‘V’ award) in 2012 and was presented with this prestigious award for the excellence of his voluntary service rendered towards the Underprivileged and disadvantaged female cricketers spread throughout the Country.
Palitha played cricket for Ananda College in all age groups from 1960 to 1970 and after leaving school he represented Nomads Sports Club in the premier league
Sara Trophy for 2 decades from 1971 to 1991. He also represented State Serivces Cricket Association from 1971 to 1991 and toured India. Gunasekera Captained the Sports Ministry cricket team . As a Coach, Palitha trained the Sports Ministry cricket team and also the State Trading (General) Corporation Cricket team. In addition he is the Head Coach of Palinks School of Cricket from 1998 to date.
During his coaching period he has produced five Sri Lankan captains in Women’s cricket teams. They are K.M.Indrani, Sashikala Siriwardena, Chamari Polgampola, Sripali Weerakkody and Hasini Perera. As the Cricket coach of Malay Cricket Club from 2000 to 2002, he helped the team to come up to Division I cricket after 45 years. He became a recognized coach of the International Cricket Council for his long and dedicated service to cricket and had the opportunity to coach cricket in Thailand, Nepal, Kuwait, Malaysia, Canada & Singapore. Palitha was the President of the Col. Henry Steell Olcott Memorial Sports Foundation of Sri Lanka in 2013.