Sujeewa Wijayanayake, the only international baseball referee in Sri Lanka was felicitated by Ananda College recently.
The school named a new building after him following the opening of a room for baseball.
Wijayanayake is now in Sri Lanka on holiday. The Youth Observer caught up with him to discuss baseball.
Q: Your school felicitated you?
A: Yes. My school, Ananda College, Colombo felicitated me today. I am glad about it. I think it is a very rare opportunity for a pupil to be felicitated by his or her college.
Q: What was the reason?
A: The school administration, especially the Principal and staff told me that they think this is the time to honour me. It is because of my contribution to my school, country, society and the world as a proud son of Ananda College.
Q: You donated a new room for baseball players at Ananda College. Could you give some details about it?
A: Yes. I played baseball for the school and left school in 2002. At that time there was no separate room for baseball. I was keen to build a room for baseball. Under the guidance of the Principal of Ananda College, my friends and I donated money to build the room. Now Ananda College baseball players have a room to put their sports items and plan their sports activities as well. I know that this is only a little help. But it is a good start for school baseball players.
Q: Is it true that you helped to build a temple in Japan?
A: Yes. Not only me. A number of Sri Lankans living there donated funds. We bought a piece of land on Qushu Island in Japan and the temple has been built on it. Last year I was selected as the chairman of the Qushu Island Sri Lanka Buddhist temple society and I gave my leadership to fulfill the task. I was determined to complete the construction work during my tenure and I am glad that I was able to complete it.
Q: How did you find success in life?
A: As a Sri Lankan living in Japan I do my work very neatly. I never give up anything that I need to do. I learned that very well in school, from my parents, teachers and society. I polished it in Japan. That is the secret behind my success.
Q: You were on the organizing committee for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. How did you get selected for that position?
A: As an International Baseball referee living in Japan I applied for it. They called on everyone who wished to contribute to this mega tournament and conducted several interviews. Following which they selected me as Deputy Technical Manager of Baseball and Softball Games in the Olympics. The Covid pandemic delayed it and finally I got a promotion as a chief of the Baseball and Softball Technical Committee. I was the only foreigner that got that position in the Tokyo Olympics.
Q: You had a good relationship with former Japanese Prime Minister Shinso Abbey who was assassinated recently. What do you have to say about his sudden departure?
A: I was shocked when I heard the news. I was at the Singapore airport at that time. He was a very simple and honest politician. He treated me as an unofficial ambassador of Sri Lanka. He was one of the best and cleverest politicians that I have met. May he attain Nibbana.
Q: Coming to Sri Lanka, what do you think about the situation in the country?
A: I am very sad about it. I never thought that the country would have to face a situation like this. But we have to face reality. We must get together and work hard to uplift the economy. We have a good example of Japan which was down economically after the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. They united and worked hard to rebuild the country.
Sri Lanka has the ability to face this crisis. I believe we can get back on our feet again by making sacrifices.
Q: Sri Lanka now makes items used in baseball. It started during the Olympic Games. You comments?
A: We make baseball balls in Sri Lanka now. These were used in the Olympics last year. I got an opportunity to display our country’s name on the ball that was used in the matches. It was a very valuable opportunity for our country in the world business arena.
Q: The surface of balls used in baseball does not display the country in which it was made. Isn’t this true?
A: Up to now that was the World Baseball Federation rule. However, this time I managed to change that rule and got a special opportunity to display the country of origin on the ball. That was my personal victory that I achieved.
Q: How did you manage to do that?
A: I discussed with the officials of the World Baseball Federation and had convened my request. They studied it deeply. After several rounds of meetings they finally gave permission. That was a remarkable moment in my life as a baseball official.
Q: Where is the ball factory situated?
A: The factory is in Dunagaha in the Gampaha district.
Q: Are you the owner of this company?
A: No, No. I am not the owner. But you might think I worked like the owner of this company? This is a Sri Lanka based company and I love to help it reach international heights.
Q: What is the name of the company?
A: SSK is the name of the company. It will supply products to the USA, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. I hope Sri Lanka can become an international supplier of baseball equipment in a short period. This may be the first step.
