Awards Ceremony 2020
Navod Paranavithana Mahinda College - Galle
Former Sri Lanka captain and ex-Chairman of Selectors Sanath Jayasuriya was the chief guest at the 42nd Observer-SLT Mobitel School Cricketers of the Year mega awards ceremony at the BMICH last Tuesday. Here Jayasuriya and his son Ranuk being welcomed to the venue by ANCL Chairman W. Dayaratne PC, along with Director Operations Canishka G. Witharana, Director Finance Janaka Ranathunga, Director Legal and Administration Rakhitha Abeygoonawardhana, Editor-in-Chief Dinesh Weerawansa, Director Editorial Dharma Sri Kariyawasam (partly covered) and Acting General Manager Sumith Kothalawala. Although a couple of competitive similar award shows had begun in recent times, their sponsors abandoned them following the Covid-19 pandemic last year, making SLT Mobitel and the Sunday Observer the only combination to reward school cricketers during the last season. Pic: Chinthaka Kumarasinghe
Chief Guest Sanath Jayasuriya being conducted to the venue by ANCL Chairman W. Dayaratne PC, along with ANCL Director Finance Janaka Ranatunga , Director Operations, Canishka Witharana, Acting General Manager Sumith Koteawala, Director Editorial Dharma Sri Kariyawasam, Master Ranauk Jayasuriya, Director Legal and Administration Rakhitha Abeygoonewardena, Editor-in-Chief of Sunday Observer Dinesh Weerawansa and Manager Channel Publicity Chanaka Liyanage
Lighting of the traditional oil lamp by Director Editorial Dharma Sri Kariyawasam
Lighting of the traditional oil lamp by Director Operations, Canishka Witharana
Sanath Jayasuriya addresses budding school cricketers at the Observer-SLT Mobitel Cricketer Awards
Observer-SLT Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2020 Navod Paranavithana from Mahinda College receives his award from former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya
Observer-SLT Mobitel Schoolgirl Cricketer of the Year 2020 Kavesha Dilhari from Devapathiraja College receives her award from Sanath Jayasuriya
Observer SLT Mobitel Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2020 - Anuda Jayaweera of Ananda College, Colombo receives his trophy presented by the Sunday Observer Editor-in-Chief Dinesh Weerawansa
Most Popular Schoolgirl Cricketer Nimesha Wijesundera of Marapola MMV receives her award from Editor-in-Chief of the Sunday Observer Dinesh Weerawansa
Observer SLT Mobitel Most Popular Schoolgirl Cricketer of the year 2020 - W.P. Nimesha Wijesundera of Marapola Madya Vidyalaya, Marapola receives her cash prize from Chanaka Liyanage Manager Channel Publicity of ANCL
Best batsman Navod Paranavithana of Mahinda College accepts his award from ANCL Chairman, President’s Counsel W. Dayaratne
Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2020 runner up Ahan Wickramasinghe of Royal College receives his trophy from Senior Associate Editor, Sunday Observer Dudley Jansz
Most Popular Schoolboy cricketer runner-up Ahan Wickremasinghe receives his cash award from Ranjeewa Seneviratne Sports Editor Daily News
Navod Dinusri Paranavithana of Mahinda College, Galle also received the best All Rounder’s award in the National category presented by Daminda Cooray president of the Sri Lanka Umpires’ Association
Captain of the Best Schoolgirl Team of the Year 2020 receives the award from Chairman of SLT Mobitel Rohan Fernando
Captain of the best up-and-coming girls school Princess of Wales College receives the award from Media and Information Ministry Secretary Jagath P Wijeweera
Best all-rounder girls Kaveesha Dilhari of Devapathiraja College, Ratgama receives her award from Chief Editor of Thinakaran T. Senthilvelavar
Best All-rounder Girls Runner up - M. Umasha Thimeshani - Devapathiraja College, Rathgama receives her Award from Chief Editor of Thinakaran T. Senthilvelavar
National Award Best Bowler - Dilshan Madhusanka of Vijayaba National School, Hungama presented by ANCL Managing Editor of Government Relations Department Samantha Karunasekera
Best schoolgirl bowler Janadi Anali of Anula College, Nugegoda receives her cash award from Chief Editor Daily News, Pramod de Silva
Best Bowler (Girls) - Runner up - W. Kaveesha Dilhari of Devapathiraja College, Rathgama receives her Award from Editor in Chief Daily News, Pramod de Silva
Best Batswoman Umesha Thimeshani of Devapathiraja College, Ratgama receives her award from Champika Weeratunga the Secretary of the Girls Tournament Committee of SLSCA
Best Batswoman - Runner up W. Kaveesha Dilhari of Devapathiraja College, Rathgama presented by the Girls Tournament Secretary of the SLSCA, Champika Weeratunga
Best Fielder Nipun Dananjaya receiving the award from Thilak Wattuhewa president of SLSCA
Dimuth Sandaruwan of Richmond College the best wicket keeper receiving his award from Nishantha Kumara U-19 Tournament Secretary SLSCA
Division One Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2020 Pawan Ratnayake receives his award from Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella
Division one Best All Rounder - Runner up - Muditha Lakshan of D.S.Senanayake College, Colombo recieving the award from CMO of Sri Lanka Telecom, Prabhath Dahanayake
Best Bowler - Division One - Winner Sineth Sithara Dissanayake of St. Thomas’ College, Matara receives his Award from SLSCA Treasurer, Manjula Vaas
Division one - Best Bowler - Runner- up Lohan Aroshana de Zoysa of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda recieves award from Chanaka Liyanage Manager Channel Publicity of ANCL
Lohan Aroshana de Zoysa of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda receiving his Award for being the runner-up in the Division One Best Bowler category from Shirajiv Sirimanne the Associate Editor of the Daily News
Best Batsman - Division one - winner Pawan Ratnayake - Mahanama College Colombo. His mother receives the Award on behalf of him from official statistician Batsman.com CEO Kumara Gamhewage
Best Batsman runner-up division one Avishka Perera of Nalanda College receiving his award from Kumara Gamhewage CEO of Batsman.com
Division one - Best Fielder winner Pawan Ratnayake of Mahanama College. His mother receives the Award on behalf of him from SLSCA Treasurer, Manjula Vaas
Division Two Best All-rounder Samith Isuru of Karandeniya Central College is presented with his award from Acting General Manager of ANCL Sumith Kotalawela
Awards Best All Rounder - Division Two - Runner up Sandaruwan Chinthaka of Galahitiyawa Central College receives the Award from Acting General Manager of ANCL, Sumith Kothalawela
Best bowler Division Two Manuja Dulneth of Rahula College, Matara is presented with his award given by Chief Editor Dinamina, Gamini Jayalath
Best Bowler - Division Two - Runner up Samith Isuru of Karandeniya Central College receiving his Award from Chief Editor Dinamina, Gamini Jayalath
Division Two - Awards Best Batsman Winner - Sandaruwan Chinthaka of Galahitiyawa Central, Ganemulla receives his Award from Chief Editor Silumina, Dharman Wickremaratne
Division Two - Awards Best Batsman - Runner up - Ashan Dilhara of St. John’s College, Panadura receives his Award from Chief Editor Silumina, Dharman Wickremaratne
Division Two best fielder Sithum Sanjana of Holy Cross College, Kalutara gets his award from Additional Deputy General Manager Advertising ANCL, Prasanna Jayasundara
Best Wicket Keeper Division Two Bashitha Perera of Holy Cross College, Kalutara is presented with his award by Deputy General Manager, Establishment ANCL Narada Sumanaratne with DGM Sales Nath Adikri
Best All-rounder - Division Three Hashen Lalindra of Loyola College, Negombo receiving the award from Senior Deputy General Manager ANCL, Kamal Wijesuriya
Division Three - Best All-rounder - Runners up - Shakthi Udara Jayathilake of Rajasinghe Central College, Hanwella receives his Award from Senior Deputy General Manager ANCL, Kamal Wijesuriya
Division Three - Best Batsman Runner up - Salindu Malmin of Nalanda Boys School Minuwangoda receives his Award from Deputy General Manager/ Advertising ANCL, Waruna Mallawarachi
Best bowler Division Three Shakthi Udara Jayathilake of Rajasinghe Central College, Hanwella gets his award Deputy General Manager, Finance ANCL, Virajith Bois
Awards Best Bowler - Division Three - Runner up Venuk Dilwan Hettiarachchi of Ananda Shasthralaya, Kotte receives the Award from Deputy General Manager/Finance ANCL, Virajith Bois
Division Three Best Fielder Sachin Dilhara of Madampa MMV Ambalangoda receives his award from Deputy General Manager Corporate Affairs ANCL Chandana Bandara
Division Three - Best Wicketkeeper – winner Ramuditha Disal of Vidyaloka College, Galle presented by Deputy General Manager/ Sales ANCL, R.S.N. Adhikari
Group Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom Rohan Fernando presenting an award
CMO Mobitel, Shashika Senarath presenting an award
Best School Team - Western Province (Runner up) Royal College, Colombo recieving the award from GCEO of Sri Lanka Telecom Group, Lalith Seneviratne
Best School team - Northern Province Runner up - Jaffna Central College, Jaffna receive their Award from the ANCL Director Finance, Janaka Ranatunga
Best School team - Eastern Province St. Michael’s College, Batticaloa recieving the award from Company Secretary of ANCL, Mrs. H.W.S. Prasanga
The show presenters Sonali Perera and Clifford Richards
Chief Guest Sanath Jayasuriya presents the Observer SLT Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2020 Trophy to Navod Dinusri Paranavithana of Mahinda College, Galle
From left: Dinesh Weerawansa (Editor in Chief Sunday Observer), Shashika Senarath (CMO SLT-Mobitel), Lalith Seneviratne (GCEO SLT-Mobitel), Thilak Waththuhewa (President-Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association), Kavesha Dilhari (Observer-SLT Mobitel Schoolgirl Cricketer of the Year), ANCL Chairman and President’s Counsel W. Dayaratne, Chief Guest and former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya, Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Media and Information, Rohan Fernando, Group Chairman of SLT Mobitel and Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2020 Navod Paranavithana
Best schoolboy team 2020 (all island) Trinity College Kandy receive their trophy presented by guest of honour, Minister of Information and Media Keheliya Rambukwella in the presence of ANCL Chairman W. Dayaratne PC (Pix: Sudath Malaweera)
Best School Team - National Awards ( Runner up) St. Joseph’s College, Colombo presented by Guest of Honour, Minister of Information and Media, Keheliya Rambukwella in the presence of Editor-in-Chief of Sunday Observer, Dinesh Weerawansa, Group Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom, Rohan Fernando, Chairman, President’s Counsel W. Dayaratne and Secretary to the Ministry of Media, Jagath P. Wijeweera
Best schoolgirl team of the Year 2020 Devapathiraja College, Ratgama receive their trophy from the Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom Rohan Fernando in the presence of Sunday Observer Editor in Chief Dinesh Weerawansa and guest of honour Minister of Information and Media Keheliya Rambukwella
Best schoolgirl team runners-up Ratnaveli Balika Vidyalaya Gampaha get their award from SLT Mobitel Group Chairman Rohan Fernando in the presence of Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Ministry Secretary Jagath P Wijeweera, ANCL Chairman W Dayaratne PC and the Editor in Chief of the Sunday Observer Dinesh Weerawansa
Best team of the Western Province 2020 S. Thomas’ College receive their award from the GCEO of Sri Lanka Telecom Group, Lalith Seneviratne
Captain of the Best School Team of the Central Province St. Anthony’s College is presented with their award given by ANCL Director Editorial, Dharma Sri Kariyawasam
Best school team - Central Province Runner up - Dharmaraja College, Kandy receive their Award from the ANCL Director Editorial Dharma Sri Kariyawasam in the presence of Acting General Manager of ANCL Sumith Kotalawela, Director Legal and Administration, Rakhitha Abeygunawardhana, Director Operations, Canishka Witharana and Director Finance, Janaka Ranatunga
Captain of the Best School Team of the Southern Province St. Thomas College, Matara is presented with their award given by ANCL Director Operations, Canishka Witharana
Best School team - Southern Province ( Runner up) Richmond College, Galle receive their Award from the ANCL Director Operations, Canishka Witharana
Captain of the Best School Team of the North Western Province St. Sebastian’s College, Katuneriya is presented with their award given by ANCL Director Legal and Administration, Rakhitha Abeygunawardhana
Best school team - North Western Province Runner up - Maliyadeva College Kurunegala receive their Award from the ANCL Director Legal and Administration, Rakhitha Abeygunawardhana
Captain of the Best School Team of the Northern Province St. John’s College Jaffna is presented with their award given by ANCL Director Finance, Janaka Ranatunga
Best school team - Sabaragamuwa Province - Dudley Senanayake Central College Tholangamuwa get their award from CMO of Sri Lanka Telecom, Prabhath Dahanayake
Best school team - North Central Province - Anuradhapura Central College get their award from CMO Mobitel, Shashika Senarath and GCEO of Sri Lanka Telecom Group, Lalith Seneviratne
Best School team - Uva Province - St. Thomas’ College Bandarawela get their award from CMO Mobitel, Shashika Senarath
Best up-and-coming girls school team of the year 2020 Princess of Wales College Moratuwa receive their trophy from the Secretary to the Ministry of Media Jagath P Wijeweera in the presence of Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Group Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom Rohan Fernando, ANCL Chairman W Dayaratne PC and Editor in Chief Sunday Observer Dinesh Weerawansa
Best Promising and behaved Team - National Awards - Karunarathne Buddhist School, Ragama get their award from CMO Mobitel, Shashika Senarath and GCEO of Sri Lanka Telecom Group, Lalith Seneviratne
From left: Editor-in-Chief of Sunday Observer, Dinesh Weerawansa, Chairman, President’s Counsel W. Dayaratne, chief guest Sanath Jayasuriya and Group Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom, Rohan Fernando with his wife
Madhuvy Vaithialingam
Randhir Witana performs
Tehani Imara and Falan Andrea perform
The Gayan Dance Troupe entertaining the audience