ROYAL THOMIAN MATCHES OF THE EARLY FIFTIES PLAYED AT THE OVAL

Inside the Oval grounds in the early fifties the set up was completely different from the present day. The Thomian tent and the Royal tent were two different enclosures, adjoining each other in the Main Pavil­ion under the supervision of tent masters and prefects of both schools. Immediately behind the pavilion, huts of bamboo and cadjan (as no aluminium sheds were available), to accommodate the caterers. Police personnel etc. The Thomian .tent catering was done by the College tuck shop under Mr Gauder's supervision. During intervals and other breaks the boys and visitors had their meals in this area.

We had a hectic morning session on the road in our Old Crocks and arrived at the Oval in the afternoon. We felt as if we were in school as we met most of our contemporaries and friends. Our group did a few parades accompanied by the famous "Sakkili "band. We had a very good response from the spectators, mainly for introducing the band. Some cool drinks were what we needed but cash was not available as all the money was spent at the Pepper House, Kotahena. The money spent for the Royal Thomian was only our weekly pocket money which was only about twenty rupees!! We saw Mr Gauder selling iced coffee to the boys. This was just what we wanted, we rushed to the tuck shop, lifted one full bottle of iced coffee and rushed out. Mr Gauder was furious and shouted that the boys had raided the tuck shop, and taken the Winchester quart bottle of iced coffee. Mr Weerasinghe (Pol Weera) and the school prefects came rushing to us and said that we should return the bottle. By that time we had emptied it. He was furious and reprimanded us not to go anywhere near the tuck shop, and if we were seen again that he would get us locked up by the police. The crowd cheered and hooted him. This went on for some time and Pol Weera was more furious and started scolding ev­erybody in sight. Our group boys quietly started collecting to the won­derful music provided by Sarath Fernando (Suruttuwa) and Ranjith Dias Abeysinghe. All of a sudden we noticed that smoke was coming out of the cadjan. We also observed that L. L. Fernando was armed with a fire brand. The smoke became a big fire, the flames almost reached the pavilion roof. Boys were like Red Indians going round the fire screaming and dancing to the strains of the Wonderful 'Sakkili' band.

The incident became uncontrollable. Mr Weerasinghe and the Police decided to call the fire brigade to douse'the fire. It did not take much time for the fire brigade to reach the Oval. complete with their horns, flashing lights and sirens. All the spectators in the grounds were alerted by the huge din. The fire engine was a brand new Bedford. The crowd took control of the fire engine. Kingsley, and Fonseka were the two chauffers. They drove the engine over the fire and stopped it against the wall of the pavilion. The drivers couldn't see anything as the boys were on the bonnet. The fire officers minus their uniforms bare bod­ied were trying their best to fix the water hose to the tank. They managed with difficulty, and were adjusting the flow of water. Then the boys took over the hoses. They shoved the hoses inside the firemens' uniforms. The poor fellows were howling in pain because the trou­sers had swelled up to twice their size with water. Some hoses now doused the fire. The entire area looked as if there had been a heavy shower of rain. Meanwhile the boys were ducking the prefects and the Police with water. The fun became a serious affair. Boys were pulling the hoses out of the nozzles, others were trying to cut the canvas with knives. It was becoming uncontrollable (the sakkili band played through it all). My self, Nimal Jayawardena, Abeyratne, de Mel, and Fonseka rushed there and requested the boys not to damage the engine. We tried to push them aside. Then pol Weera and Wikramanayake and the College cops accused us saying we were responsible for all the damage. We told them that we were trying to stop the boys from damaging the engine, but Poll Weera was adamant (recalling the iced coffee issue). He told the Police to take us into custody. The police took into custody Nimal Jayawardena, Fonseka, Abeyratne and de Mel to the Borella Police station. At the Police sta­tion Fonseka played havoc. He wanted to call Mr Osman de Silva (IGP) and was refused, and in turn Fonseka Kicked the telex ma­chine, breaking it. Aberatne joined him smashing the objects on the table and broke some glassware. Cop got annoyed took the four of us by force and pushed us into the cell.

At about 7. 30 pm the OIC came to the station. He was very angry and upset over what had happened at both the grounds and the station. It was plain that someone had intervened on our behalf and he managed to control himself and glared at us and said the he would produce us in Courts the next day and charge us for arson and looting. In the night there was an identification parade at the Borella Police Station. The fire department personnel were called to identify us as the persons who had damaged the fire engine (fortunately for us we had removed all our fancy dresses before being taken we thanked the lawyers and Mrs. Abeyratne profusely and walked out of Court.

A week later Abeyratne had received summons to appear in Courts.

but not the rest of us. He had gone to Courts and a Warrant had been issued to the rest of us. Abeyratne's lawyer instructed us to appear in Courts the next day. We duly appeared the next day. and the case was taken up before Justice Parinda Ranasinghe. The Police opened the case accused us for damage caused to the fire engine and various other charges. The Judge looked at us and asked whether we were represented by lawyers. Only Abeyratne had retained a lawyer but not the rest of us. At this very moment three lawyers from the Bar arose saying that they were appearing for the three of us. Our lawyers and the Police had a lengthy debate at which it was pointed out that if the Police were to file proper charges over a thousand boys should have been charged. Also at the identification parade none of the accused boys were identified by the fire department personnel. Simply because a master in charge instructed the Police to arrest these four boys that did not make them responsible for damages caused, and the lawyer appealed to the judge who dismissed the case. Furthermore, these school boys in the atmosphere of a Big Match tend to become mis­chievous, and appealed that the case be dismissed.

The Judge informed the Court that as three was damage to Govern­ment property he was unable to dismiss the case but was willing to compound it if suitable compensation could be made for the damages. The case was put off for the afternoon. Only Abeyratne's parents were present in Courts. The Police, the Fire Department and the law­yers had a discussion and it was found that two hoses were damaged and the brass nozzles were missing. The total cast was Rs. Four thousand. Mrs. Abeyratne the only parent present agreed to settle this. During the afternoon session the Judge called the case and Mrs. Abeyratne's lawyer said that the whole payment would be met by her and the case was compounded.

We thank the lawyers and Mrs. Abeyratne profusely and walked out of ourt.

Lincoln Fernando & Nimal Jayawardena.

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