Lasantha Rodrigo (born 28 May 1938) is a former cricketer who played 14 matches of first-class cricket for Ceylon between 1959 and 1971.

Lasantha Rodrigo
Personal information
Full name
Lasantha Naomal Genoris Rodrigo
Born (1938-05-28) 28 May 1938 (age 86)
Moratuwa, Ceylon
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm off-spin
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 14
Runs scored 455
Batting average 16.85
100s/50s 0/2
Top score 89
Balls bowled
Wickets
Bowling average
5 wickets in innings
10 wickets in match
Best bowling
Catches/stumpings 3/–
Source: Cricinfo, 14 April 2017

Life and career

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Lasantha Rodrigo was born in Moratuwa and attended Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa, where he captained the cricket team in 1958 and 1959, and also captained the Ceylon schools team.[1] His father, J. B. C. Rodrigo, was principal of Prince of Wales' College from 1933 to 1959.[2]

He made his highest first-class score on his debut, in the Gopalan Trophy match in 1958–59, when he scored 89.[3] Batting at number three, he top-scored with 44 for Ceylon in their one-day match against the touring Australians in April 1961.[4] He toured India with the Ceylon team in 1964-65, playing in all three matches against India, but with only moderate success.

He worked for Ceylon Cold Stores for 31 years as a mechanical engineer. Inability to take time off work to play cricket shortened his cricket career.[1] In 2014 he was formally honoured by Sri Lanka Cricket for his services to cricket in Sri Lanka, and awarded 300,000 rupees.[5] In September 2018, he was one of 49 former Sri Lankan cricketers felicitated by Sri Lanka Cricket, to honour them for their services before Sri Lanka became a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC).[6][7]

Rodrigo lives with his wife Sweenie in Moratuwa, opposite Prince of Wales' College. They have a daughter and a son.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Thawfeeq, Sa'adi (25 July 2010). "Rodrigo, a fine technician". The Nation. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  2. ^ Aponso, Hyasti (7 October 2013). "Remembering Rodrigo, a principal with a passion for cricket". Island Cricket. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  3. ^ "Ceylon Cricket Association v Madras 1958-59". CricketArchive. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  4. ^ "Ceylon v Australians 1960-61". CricketArchive. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  5. ^ "SLC Felicitates Past Cricketers of Ceylon". Sri Lanka Cricket. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  6. ^ "Sri Lanka Cricket to felicitate 49 past cricketers". Sri Lanka Cricket. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  7. ^ "SLC launched the program to felicitate ex-cricketers". Sri Lanka Cricket. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
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