In the years to come this cricket-crazy island will throw up more freaks, mavericks or audacious stroke makers but Kalu will retain his place in history as the man who changed the concept of opening batting — an innovation that resulted in Sri Lanka coming of age in the World Cup. In this slam-bang age, the Kalu-Jaya formula is worthy of making it to cricketing text books.

Ask him about the early days of the new experiment and Kaluwitharana paints a vivid picture. “I was batting at No.7 but Arjuna Ranatunga, Duleep Mendis and coach Dav Whatmore suggested that I should open. We were both stroke players and our idea was to attack the bowlers”.

Finally, it’s the mention of IPL that makes Kaluwitharana a bit pensive. “Actually, I had a few years left in me. But with Sangakkara in the wings, I retired. T20 would have been a new challenge, but I have no regrets,” he says as looks at his watch. In his starched shirt and stripped tie, Sir Kaluwitharana remains as busy as Little Kalu.