A Century
of Sporting Excellence

The Panadura Sports Club (PSC)

Located 27 kilometers from Colombo, Pandura appears prominently across several chapters of Sri Lankan history. The historic debate of Pandura, led by Venerable Migettuwaththe Gunananda Thera, sparked a nationwide Buddhist revival. The city also produced notable philanthropists such as Mrs. Jeremias Dias—founder of Visakha Vidyalaya in Colombo—along with Mr. Arthur V. Dias, Sir Susantha de Fonseka, and Dr. Gunapala Amarasekara. It was in this culturally rich environment that the Panadura Sports Club was established in 1924, thanks to the generous contributions of respected local patrons. M.J. Jayatillake served as its first president, guiding the club during the era of British rule.

Dr. A. S. Goonewardene - First Patron

A member of the club and its first patron, Dr. A. S. Goonewardene, personally financed the construction of the club’s facilities. These premises were officially opened on July 1, 1927, by His Excellency, the Governor of Ceylon, Herbert J. Stanley. Among the distinguished members was Mahamanya D. S. Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Over the span of a century, under the leadership of 26 presidents, the Panadura Sports Club has been a powerhouse in sporting activities throughout the Kalutara district, consistently producing athletes who attain national-level success.

Mr. F. A. C. Tirimanna - First Cricket Captain

The club’s inaugural cricket team, led by F. A. Thirimanna, set the stage for generations of talented players. Cricketers from seven renowned schools in the Panadura area—including St. John’s College, Sri Sumangala College, St. Anthony’s College, Mahanama Vidyalaya, Royal College, and Wadduwa Central—have propelled the name of Pandudura Sports Club into both national and international cricketing history.

Figures such as Dhanasiri Weerasinghe—who represented Sri Lanka in 1958 before Test status was achieved—and other eminent players like Tissa Eleperuma, Ravin Wickramaratne, Don Anurasiri, Ravindra Pushpakumara, T. M. Dilshan, Charitha Budhika, Chamara Silva, and Dilruwan Perera have each brought immense honor to the nation. In addition to cricket, tennis and billiards were also nurtured by Pandutura Sports Club, leading many men and women to triumphs at the national level.

Neil Perera, the current patron, previously served as Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, and early pioneers including Susantha Perera, Mahinda Seneviratna, and Upali Seneviratna were also office bearers who made significant contributions to the sport’s development. Today, Ravin Wickramaratne serves as Vice President of Sri Lanka Cricket, playing a vital role in advancing the game’s future.