Palitha Gunasekera, an Old Anandian veteran cricketer and the head coach at Palinks Girls School of Cricket passed away at the age of 72 on Friday following a heart attack.
Gunasekera won the United Nation’s Outstanding Volunteer Cricket Award in 2012 for his voluntary service rendered towards the underprivileged and disadvantaged female cricketers throughout the country.
After representing Ananda College as a wicket keeper batsman he played in the Premier League Sara Trophy tournament for 20 years from 1971 to 1991 while also representing the State Services Cricket Association from 1971 to 1991 and toured India.
He captained the Sports Ministry cricket team and as a coach trained the same team and the cricket team of State Trading (General) Corporation.
During his coaching at Palinks he moulded five players for the Sri Lanka women's team in K.M.Indrani, Sashikala Siriwardena, Chamari Polgampola, Sripali Weerakkody and Hasini Perera.
He became a recognized coach of the International Cricket Council for his long and dedicated service to the sport and had the opportunity to coach in Thailand, Nepal, Kuwait, Malaysia, Canada and Singapore.