From the time 19-year-old GH Jayatissa played for Matale HA at the first National Championships in 1956, he was earmarked as a future star.
A year later, he was selected for Ceylon’s tour to Madras. A brilliant left extreme, he rode the crest of the wave of success right through his career.
He played in every match on tours to India. The 14 matches he played in the Jan/Feb 1960 tour was memorable, as there were many a Press raving over his dazzling stick work.
In his early club hockey, he played for Havelock SC but moved to the Burgher RC in the mid sixties up to 1976, captaining the team in 1969.
He played for Matale, Colombo, Government Services and Nationalised Services at the Nationals and holds the unique record of playing in 25 consecutive Nationals from 1956 to 1985.
His national and international record speaks for itself. A true legend to remember.
PROFILE
GH JAYATISSA (born 1937)
Position: Left extreme
Clubs: Havelock SC, Burgher RC, Matale, Government Services, Nationalised Services and Colombo HA
1957 Tour of Madras
1958 vs Madras HA
1960 Tour of North India (Jan/Feb)
1960 Tour of Madras and Bangalore (Dec)
1960 vs Indian Olympic Team (2 Tests)
1960 vs New Zealand
1961 vs Indian Wanderers
1962 Asian Games, Djakarta
1962 vs Pakistan (3 Tests)
1963 vs Mysore HA
1963 vs Madras HA
1965 vs Indonesia (2 Tests)
1966 Asian Games, Bangkok
1967 vs India
1968 Tour of Lahore, Pakistan (pre-Olympic International Festival)