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By M. Shamil AmitTwelve-year-old Manoj Thushara Perera, a grade nine student of Science College, Mt. Lavinia performed an incredible feat hitting a massive unbeaten 318 in an Under 13 inter-school cricket match against Arethusa College, Wellawatte. He also went on to establish a Sri Lanka schools record eclipsing the previous highest score of 315 not out held by none other than the former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Arjuna Ranatunga way back in 1978 in a Under 15 match against St. Peter's College, Negombo. The feature of young Manoj's marathon innings is that he accumulated his score by hitting 50 boundaries which is 200 runs and eighteen towering sixes that counts to 108 both put together accounts to 308 of the 318 he scored. AstonishingAn astonishing feat which any batsman would cherish to achieve but a milestone that anyone will have to work hard for. He also put on a record partnership of 437 runs for the second wicket with Indika Lakmal Silva, whose contribution was 128. His team hit a massive 498 for 3 wickets in just 61 overs, which is also another record. Arjuna's feat in contrast included fewer boundaries and sixes. Arjuna had a partnership of 300 odd for the first wicket and his team scored 445 for 1 wicket in that match. When the Sunday Times spoke to Manoj, who also captains the side, and asked what he felt when he heard that he had broken a record which was held by one of the greatest cricketers that Sri Lanka has produced, he was shocked. He said he was happy not because he broke the record and he kept on improving with every match he played. This record-breaking score cannot be taken lightly as it is not a fluke or a flash in the pan. Before this feat he has been in the runs in almost every match he played. He scored four half centuries - 57 against Piliyandala MMV, 50 against Dharmapala, Pannipitiya, 78 against Hindu College, Ratmalana and 63 against Piliyandala MMV in a second round game. With one century - 120 against Revatha MV, Balapitiya. PlansWhen asked about his plans for the future he said that his main ambition is to represent the national team. Manoj is the last child in a family of five children - three sisters and a brother elder to him. The irony of it is that he comes from a poor family; his father L. Rubert Perera has no permanent job. He is a painting contractor but that does not prevent him from allowing this talented boy playing cricket. The father said he (Manoj) was cricket crazy and was always with a bat in the hand and even in his sleep he shouts in his dreams; "Take that catch," as he is the captain he is always active. He is also grateful to the school as he was presented with a bat and they opened a savings bank account with the NSB in his name. When inquired as to how he manages his son’s expenses without a permanent job, he said that his wife's sister's son Chandana Pushpakumara who hires private cars helps out with most of his son's cricket commitments. ShockedHis mother Jayanthi Perera was lost for words as she was shocked to see the publicity that her son was getting and the after-glow of that. Probably she is unable to understand that her son has broken a long-standing record. The only thing she could tell was, "I am proud of my son's achievement and we will do every thing possible to improve his cricket". The most interesting part of the whole affair was when the boy was taken to the house of the previous record holder Arjuna Ranatunga in Nugegoda. Arjuna had been informed earlier and was keen to speak to the record-breaker. Arjuna greeted him warmly, and said, "So you are the one who broke my record. Come let's speak more about it." Having spoken to Manoj, the former Sri Lanka skipper in appreciation of this wonderful feat requested the parents that the boy should be looked after with care and be given better coaching which of course the parents could never dream of. ResponsibilityArjuna said that he will take full responsibility of this talented boy and the first steps he will be taking will be to take the lad to Arjuna's 'guru' and coach Lionel Mendis for more training and to polish his batting. Arjuna undertook to spend or give whatever help Manoj required for the betterment of his cricketing career. When the Sunday Times asked what he thinks of this extraordinary feat and his record being broken. He started by saying: "I was happy when I read this which was highlighted in a newspaper." Regarding the record being broken he said it was nice to see that there is hidden talent in lesser-known schools. Asked Arjuna, "Why was this not highlighted when it was established. When I scored my triple hundred it was in the papers the very next day!" Continuing Arjuna said: “I am proud to see players of this calibre. We should nurture them.” He also said that it was immaterial against whom the record was set up; whether it was a weak opposition or even a ladies team. “To score a triple hundred specially at this age is something special which I appreciate very much.” Encouraging words from a great player. He was sorry the boy was not allowed to continue his batting which most probably could have broken the world record of 411 (for schools) held by another batting star Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin scored this when he was 16 years. To end this happy day for the record breaker, Arjuna presented him with cricketing gear and promised that there was more to come from him. A promise he said he will oblige very soon. We left Arjuna with a mission accomplished.
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