Make no mistake. Theeraka Ranatunga is no ordinary sportsman or he likes to think it that way. He hails from Trinity College and is a right hand middle order batsman who also bowls left arm spin.
He has already hit the top as a schoolboy and played for the Sri Lanka Under-19 team as well as for the ACE Capital Cricket Club in Colombo in the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Premier division one tournament.
For Ranatunga nothing came on a platter taking into account his achievements so far and he is prepared to work harder to reach his future goals asking no favours from anyone as he believes in himself and what he does.
Sport found him and that seems to be the cause he is prepared to prove a point in whatever he wants to achieve.
“Sport chose me”, he told the Sunday Observer in an interview.
“I am really happy with the career path I’ve chosen right now and I will continue down this path as a cricketer giving it hundred percent”.
Excerpts of an interview:
Q: Describe yourself in one word?
Motivated
Q: Any words or phrases you overuse?
Enjoy the game boys
Q: What is your most marked characteristic?
Discipline
Q: If you could edit your past, what would you change?
There’s nothing I would change in my past, because every decision I have made and every experience I’ve had in my life has led me to be who I am today. So I’m proud of it
Q: What is the most important thing in your life?
My family
Q: Who has influenced you the most?
My parents
Q: Are you fashionable?
Very fashionable
Q: If you had access to a time machine what would you change?
There’s nothing I would change, but if there was a Time Machine, out of curiosity I would like to take a sneak peak of the future.
Q: What motivates you in your life?
The mirror (myself)
Q: If you could choose any career right now, what would it be?
I am really happy with the career path I’ve chosen right now and I will continue down this path as a cricketer giving it hundred percent
Q: What forms of music do you listen to?
Country, Hip Pop, Rhythm and Blues
Q: What’s the best thing you would like to hear from someone?
The best I would like to hear from someone is something knowledgeable that I didn’t know
Q. What made you choose sports?
Honestly I didn’t choose sport, sport chose me. It runs in my blood
Q. Thus far what was your most unforgettable sporting incident?
Scoring a century in my under-23 Major Clubs tournament debut match against NCC
Q. What’s your best school sporting achievement?
Receiving school colours after taking over 60 wickets
Q: What is your idea of happiness?
My idea of happiness is converting my vision to my reality
Q: What is the trait you like in others?
Honesty
Q: What has been your biggest disappointment?
Losing someone who I loved the most in my family
Q: Most important lesson life has taught you?
Quote: “Wings are not only for birds; they are also for minds. Human potential stops at some point somewhere beyond infinity” - Toller Cranston