Camillus Abeygoonewardena, the former Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) president, Disciplinary head of Sri Lanka Cricket and think tank of St. Peter’s College sports passed away on Thursday and his funeral was held yesterday at the General Cemetery in Mount Lavinia.
Abeygoonewardena was also the chairman of St. Peter’s College Rugby Foundation in 1995 when the college was the team to beat as they ended unbeaten champions.
The team was captained by his son, Number Eight Sanjeewa Abeygoonewardena. Abeygoonewardena’s second son Dilan also captained the college team in 2001 and played for Sri Lanka as a centre.
Abeygoonewardena also became a household name when he functioned as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and headed the Traffic Police to set up several public-police relations activities.
His particular emphasis was on road safety and the welfare of both motorist and pedestrian.
“He was a truly honourable gentleman officer of the Police who never compromised the integrity of that Institution”, said S. Skandakumar, a former Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket and ex-High Commissioner in Canberra, Australia on hearing of the passing away of Abeygoonewardena. He was 79 years at the time of his death.