School daze

To find out about Sanath’s early days at school, you walk across to St Servatius. Ajwad Ikram, who taught him commerce in the 12th grade, reveals Sanath’s serious lack of academic inclination. Ikram recalls a day when Sanath was asked to leave the classroom because he was late. Ikram followed him and had a conversation that he still remembers. “I told him two things that can happen if he concentrates on cricket: if he succeeds he would travel to foreign countries to play, but if he fails he would end up at the culvert outside the school,” he said.

It seems Sanath was ready to take the gamble — he didn’t merely play abroad but is today regarded as one of the game’s greats. He now inspires travellers to make a stopover at Matara and enthusiastic locals to become their willing escorts.