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Message From The President
Of Dharmaraja College Cricket Foundation

Nalin Dhammika Abeykoon

President - DRCCF
Dharmaraja College Cricket Foundation.

Col. Henry Steele Olcott, founder who was established Dharmaraja College on 30th June 1887 as
theKandy Buddhist High School. The name was changed to Dharmaraja College in 1899.Cricket was
introduced to Dharmaraja College during the period Sir D.B. Jayathilaka was the Principal (1890
-1897). Cricket and football clubs had been formed and the members of the staff also had played
in the teams. The cricket team had been captained by the Principal Mr. D.B. Jayathilaka. The first
Buddhist schools cricket match had been played in 1893 between Dharmaraja and Maliyadeva
College (Kurunegala Buddhist School).Cricket matches with Ananda College (Colombo Buddhist
English School) had also been played during that time.

In the latter part of 1891 both Cricket and Football clubs have ceased to function due to shortage of
funds.

With the appointment of Mr. K.F. Billmoria as the Principal in 1902, there had been a revival of the
cricket and football clubs. As a solution to the problem of fund, he had imposed a fee of cents 60 per
term from each senior student. He had emphasized the advantages of playing cricket in molding the
character of the students.Very soon cricket had become very popular in the school, and two cricket
teams ( 1st and 2nd X1) had been formed. Regular Inter class cricket matches had been very popular.
First inter school match after Billimoria took over had been played with the Balapitya Buddhist School
(Dharmasoka College ) which the Rajans had won. Dharmaraja played Second match with Mahinda
College, Galle.

Mr. P de S Kularatna Principal, Dharmaraja College, 1932-36 revived cricket in 1933 and commenced
playing matches with Ananda, Nalanda, Mahinda, and Sri Sumangala. Since then these matches have
been regular annual fixtures. Now Rajans are playing with all eight leading Olcott schools; Ananda,
Nalanda, Dharmasoka, Dharmapala, Mahinda, Maliyadeva and Rahula as an annual fixture.

Col. Henry Steele Olcott Memorial Sports Foundation, formed in 1996 by distinguish old boys of
Dharmaraja, Ananda, Nalanda, Dharmasoka, Dharmapala, Mahinda, Maliyadeva and Rahula. Since
1996 up to 2021 Olcott Memorial Sports Foundation done tremendous work to build strong brotherhood
and support to school cricket. One of the main events is annual cricket tournament and get-to-gather.
As the president of Dharmaraja college cricket foundation I wish to express my great honour and wish
all the success in endeavors of Col. Henry Steele Olcott Memorial Sports Foundation at their 25th
anniversary, “Silver Jubilee”.

Col. Henry Steele Olcott Memorial Sports Foundation - 2021