Uncapped cricketering great Bernard Perera bids adieu

The death occurred on Friday morning of former Sri Lankan cricketer Bernard Perera. He was 56 at the time of his death.

An outstanding product of St. Anthony’s College Katugastota. Bernard Perera represented the school from 1972 to 1976. He captained in his last year, scored six hundreds, took over 50 wickets with his off breaks ands led his team to seven victories.

On leaving school he found employment at Maharaja Organisation and later on at Tobacco Company Kandy. He played for the CCC and Kandy CC.

He was unfortunate not to have played in the inaugural Test against England in spite of making hundreds in the two trial games and a sixty in the three day warm up game at Asgiriya. A brilliant fielder, Bernard was the twelfth man against England and in the three Test series in Pakistan that followed. Then came the South African tour.

Subsequently he coached both St. Anthony’s and Trinity. He was also a District Coach of Kandy.

A highlight of his career was a fourth wicket partnership of 250 with Bede, his brother, against St. Benedict’s.

Bernard is the fourth among the 1976 captains to leave our midst. Trevor Croner (St. Joseph’s), Malcolm Mack (St. Benedict’s), and Anura Ranasinghe (Nalanda) were the others. His deputy in 1976, Ajith Seneviratne also crossed the Great Divide two years back.

Bernard is survived by his wife Suivineetha, daughter Samudini and son Rusith.

The funeral will take place today.