Veteran cricket coach Nelson Mendis launches his autobiography

Nelson Mendis a well known Cricket Coach in Sri Lanka who has the honour of coaching thousands of students for more than six decades, launched his autobiography titled “Disciplining Many” at a function held at the Malalasekera Hall of Nalanda College, on Friday.

Hemaka Amaarasuriya, Former Chairman of Singer (Sri Lanka) Ltd, where mendis had worked after he left Nalanda College, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest while Former Sri Lankan Cricket captain  and ICC Match Referee. Roshan Mahanama was a a special guest at the event.

Also gracing the occasion was Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and a galaxy of former Military personnel, Judges from the official bar, Lawyers, Doctors members of the academia and many other leading personalities who had been students at Nalanda participated as special invitees.

President of Sri Lanka Cricket . Shammi Silva and former President of SLC. Thilanga Sumathipala, who were  Mendis’s students at Nalanda participated as special invitees.

Principal of Nalanda College Iran Champika Silva, former Principal Thilak Wattuhewa and the Principal of Ananda College  Lal Dissanayake and the past teachers of Nalanda were also present on the occasion. Several past and present cricketers who had gained national recognition as well as past crickeers from Nalanda added glamour to the proceedings.

After a short video presentation on the life and times of  Mendis who presented first copy of his autobiography to the chief guest  Hemaka Amarasuriya and followed by the other distinguished invitees. This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by  Upul Gamage the 1979 Cricket Captain of Nalanda with Dr. Jayantha Pathirana, Hemantha Devapriya, Madawa Warnapura and  Madura Wijewickrama, all past Nalandian Cricketers.

His autobiography “Disciplining Many”, carries many interesting episodes of his inspiring story, which would certainly become lessons for life, for any young reader. It comprises different chapters on his early days and family members, his education at Dharmasoka Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda where he has later served as a cricket coach, his Teachers Training College days, and career in the Army and Volunteer Force, his days at Nalanda as a Cricket Master, his involvement with cricket as player, a coach, an umpire and administrator. He describes several incidents in his book where he had used different methods to correct and discipline many young students and guide them to become useful citizens of the country in later years.

Former President Sri Lanka Cricket Thilanga Sumathipala speaking at the event said he and Most of the Sri Lankan Team Players were coached by the veteran coach  Mendis such as Shammi Silva present Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket, who captained Nalanda in 1980, Bandula Warnapura the First Test Cricket Captain of Sri Lanka, Roshan Mahanama, Mahela Jayawardene etc. He also stressed  Mendis has done most of the sports in his school and Cricket, Rugger and Athletics in his school days and  Nelson Mendis is the best cricket coach in the world.

Former Sri Lankan Cricketer and ICC Match Referee  Roshan Mahanama, Hemaka Amarasuriya, Former Chairman Singer (Sri Lanka ) and Nelson Mendis addressed the gathering.

“Disciplining many” authored by  Nelson Mendis has been compiled by Athula Jayasekera and edited by Varuna Ratnaweera with designs and illustrations by  Wasantha Siriwardene, all three of them were his students at Nalanda.

The 320 paged book printed with all colour pages, will be available for purchase at the CCC School of Cricket at the CCC.

 Source:Daily News