Salgado solid at the top

BATA-THE SUNDAY TIMES MOST POPULAR SCHOOLBOY CRICKETER OF THE YEAR CONTEST

Deservingly, Thurstan skipper Sajeewa Salgado still remains the leader for the ninth consecutive week in the Bata-the Sunday Times Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2012 competition. Salgado, who already accumulated 1069 runs by last week, added another century to his tally with a well compiled and memorable 114 in 125 deliveries against their archrivals Isipathana in the annual 49th big match encounter. He already has a huge gap of 3685 votes over his closest rival in the competition, who is Angelo Jayasinghe of Maris Stella.

Jayasinghe, with 3003 votes so far, has the largest following next to Salgado in the All-island category. Others in the competition remain at their respective spots except for St. Peter’s Thanusha Jayawardane, who swapped into S. Thomas’ skipper Sachin Peiris’ place. Other contenders such as Madhawa Fernando of Royal Panadura, his team mate Charith Ruchiranga, Shiran Anuruddhika of De Mazenod, Lakshan Edirisinghe of Zahira, Kavindu Ashan of Royal Panadura and Dishan Dissanayake of St. Joseph’s remain in the same places as last week.

The Emerging Schools category is still led by Sasindu Perera of St. John’s College Panadura while Shehan Deelaka of Piliynandala Central and Mohamed Shilmy of St. Anthony’s Panadura are in contention for the second and third places. Meanwhile the International Schools category is fired up to be the most talked about out of all three competitions, as Lakshan Kodagoda of Gateway regained his lost prestige by obtaining 5067 votes, which is the highest ever in this year’s edition. As a result Nishan Perera of Lyceum International had to slip down to the second spot but the deficit between the two competitors is just 509 votes, promising yet another highly anticipated week to come. To make the competition more interesting, readers can send in as many coupons as they wish until May 23.

Readers prizes go to: 1. Ms. Prashanshani, 373/D, Temple Road, Thalawathu- goda. 2. Harindi Lathika, 141/A, Bakmeegaha Road, Pore, Athurugiriya. 3. Fathima Nuzra, 87/2, Samsudeen Mawatha, Eluwila, Panadura. 4. Nishantha Wasana, 183, Airport Junction, Katunayake.

ALL-ISLAND SCHOOLS

Sajeewa Salgado Thurstan College Angelo Jayasinghe Maris Stella College Madhawa Fernando Royal College Panadura Charith Ruchiranga Royal College Panadura Shiran Anuruddhika De Mazenod College Lakshan Edirisinghe Zahira College Kavindu Ashan Royal College Panadura Dishan Dissanayake St. Joseph’s College Thanusha Jayawardane St. Peter’s College Sachin Peiris S. Thomas’ College Jason Perera St. Benedict’s College Shehan Dilasri Maris Stella College Sasindu Perera St. John’s College Panadura Shenal Deelaka Piliyandala Central Mohamed Shilmy St. Anthony’s Panadura Tharindu Guruge Presidents College Kotte Samitha Ratnasuriya Seethawaka National School Aruna Dharmasena Sri Sumangala Panadura Anas Mohamed Azhar College Kandy

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

Lakshan Kodagoda Nishan Perera Shehan Hettiarachchi Amjad Ifthikar

EMERGING SCHOOLS

Gateway International Lyceum Nugegoda Royal Institute Leighton Park