The big match syndrome appears to have gone out of hand and now creating a law and order situation in the country that has to be checked and brought under control before something worse can happen.
The media for its part has to take a fair share of blame for further promoting these so-called big matches with slogans like March Madness thereby further inflaming the hysteria about school cricket in a way no other country on earth has it.
The latest curse came in the form of a player from Tissa Maha Vidyalaya in Kalutara suffering serious head injuries as violence broke out in their so-called big match called the Battle of the Mangosteens against Kalutara Central College last week.
It came a month after a student died while taking part in another so-called big match parade in the Badulla district.
In light of all this it is time the heads of schools think twice about promoting these so-called big matches (while all other cricket matches are small) in a way like there is no bigger event in the country and the government if it has any responsibility should step in and ban these so-called big match parades that is another curse that causes traffic congestion on the streets.
The media which is good at promoting virtues and telling off governments how to run the country should instead look at its own hypocrisy and turn the mirror inside and ask the question whether there is any logic in promoting big matches while being caught up in the hysteria.
Look no further. One has only got to take a look at two of the oldest cricket playing schools in the country, St. Benedict’s College and Wesley College with a history of over a century refusing to call their annual encounter a “big match” or brand it by some catch-line.
The way some schools are commencing big matches these days have reached insane levels.
In Sri Lanka there is a saying that when one cuts the tail the rest follow and it is the same with these so-called big matches.
A big bow to St. Benedict’s and Wesley for choosing to be virtuously different from the rest by setting the example.