The First Sporting Event 

The First Sports Event at the University of Peradeniya

The University cinder track was still under construction when the University shifted to Peradeniya in 1952. Early 1953 the Director of Physical Education G. Brant Little and the first Captain of Athletics University of Peradeniya, A.R.N.Perera organised the meet. 

It was a cross country race which started from the paddy fields in the Muruthalawa valley ending at the Arts Theatre. Each of the four Halls of residence (Arunachalam, Jayathilake, Marrs, and ....)  could field any number of runners but only the first 10 to complete the race were counted for the championships. The first 10 runners who finished the race were awarded handsome cups. The enthusiasm among the undergraduates was high. They gathered along the sides of Galaha Road from Jayatilleke Hall upto the Arts Theatre.

The winner was D.M.de Alwis a middle distance runner from Colombo. He held the University record in the 5000m. The second was S.H.Embuldeniya from Marrs Hall, a University boxer who had won his weight class at All India and Ceylon Inter University Boxing Championships. Later he migrated to Canada, was involved with the Canadian Boxing Association, and finally ended as Vice President of the World Boxing Body. 

I can remember late Tikiri Abeysinghe who became the Professor of History finished within the first ten.

When I reached the top of Jayatilleke Hall I fellt I had some wind and I sprinted from there. On the way I had overtaken several runners and I finished ninth.

Arunachalam Hall won the Championships.

The Warden Prof D.E. Hettiarachchi hosted the athletes at Dinner at his residence down Peradeniya Road.

K.L.F. Wijedasa