Centurion Nalanda still rooted in cricketing class and tradition

In a country where cricket is religion and education its sacred scroll, Nalanda College — one of Sri Lanka's proudest institutions — turned 100 this week, bringing up its century with the poise of a seasoned Test cricketer.

- BY REX CLEMENTINE

What began in 1922 as a humble offshoot of Ananda College at Campbell Place has since carved out its own identity, a name synonymous with discipline and distinction. From military leaders to medical pioneers, business magnates to political stalwarts, Nalanda has been a cradle of excellence. But where it's truly bowled the nation over is in sport — especially cricket.

For decades, Nalanda has punched above its weight, producing a steady pipeline of Test cricketers and captains of the highest pedigree. From Bandula Warnapura, Sri Lanka's first Test skipper, to Mahela Jayawardene, Nalanda College has contributed strokes of brilliance to the canvas of Sri Lankan cricket.

There's an old-world charm in the way Nalanda approaches its sport, a brand of play that values grace over grit, style over slog. They've often been ahead of their time, the first school to erect an indoor basketball court, a move even seasoned basketball playing schools have struggled to match. With school basketball now mushrooming, this facility has served not just Nalanda but also the national and international school circuits with distinction. And in true Nalanda spirit, the court was gifted anonymously by an old boy — a gesture of such quiet nobility that it puts many so-called benefactors to shame. Catholic schools have much to learn from Nalanda.