The Colombo Malay Cricket Club (CMCC) began its 150th anniversary with a series of sports events at the Padang complex in Slave Island yesterday.
Dr Nalaka Godahewa, State Minister of Urban Development, Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness, was the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony where a First Day Cover was launched by the Philatelic Bureau to mark the momentous occasion.
Among the distinguished gathering was Indonesian Ambassador Her Excellency Dewi Gustina Tobing, Malaysian High Commissioner His Excellency Tan Yang Thai, Deputy Postmaster General (Development) Thusitha Hulangamuwa, Director of the Philatelic Bureau Shantha Kumara Meegama, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket Ashley de Silva and Sri Lanka Rugby president Rizly Illyas.
Dr Godahewa lauded the contribution made by the Malay community in various fields and for the rich diversity they bring to the nation’s culture. “Malays are the most peaceful and friendliest people in Sri Lanka’s brotherhood,” he said.
The country’s oldest cricket club, CMCC, founded in 1872 after a historic cricket match was played between an All-Malay team of the Ceylon Rifle Regiment and a British Regimental team on March 23, 1872. Consequently, the British government gifted the Rifle Green Parade ground in 1872 which led to the founding of the CMCC.
Cricket, sepak takraw and netball matches were played to mark the historic occasion with CMCC pitted against Army and Police teams.
According to the CMCC the significance of playing a cricket match against the Army was because of the historic encounter in 1872.
The first sepak takraw match in Sri Lanka was played at the Padang in 1985 and playing a netball match against Police was because the then IGP (Inspector General of Police) MWF Abeykoon ceremonially declared open the Padang ground in 1961.
Army won the 10-over cricket match by 66 runs and the best of three sets sepak takraw clash 2-0. CMCC featured in a thrilling 11-11 draw in the netball match against Police after leading 5-4 at half time.