In a heartwarming move to cement the foundations of women’s cricket in the country, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that its premier domestic competition, the ‘Major Club Women’s 50-Over Tournament,’ will be rechristened the ‘Gwen Herat Memorial Trophy’ starting in 2026.
This decision serves as a profound tribute to the late Gwen Herat, the visionary founding president of the Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Association, whose leadership in 1997 charted the path for generations of female cricketers to follow.
The official handover of the newly instituted trophy took place at the SLC headquarters last week, with Mrs Herat’s children, Shamarra, Parveen, and Avancka Herat, presenting the commemorative prize to SLC Honorary Secretary, Mr Bandula Dissanayake.
Mr Dissanayake emphasised the importance of this gesture, noting, “The significant role played by the late Mrs Gwen Herat in laying the foundation for women’s cricket is well remembered by the cricketing fraternity. By naming a tournament in her honour, Sri Lanka Cricket aims to preserve her legacy for future generations”.
The ceremony was attended by key figures, including CEO Mr Ashley de Silva and esteemed guests Mr Chandra Schaffter and Mr Hemaka Amarasuriya, underscoring the deep respect the sporting community holds for her trailblazing contributions.
This tribute arrives at a time of burgeoning success for Sri Lankan women’s cricket, as the national team currently finds itself in fine form across the Palk Strait. Under the dynamic leadership of skipper Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka recently celebrated a hard-fought 2-1 ODI series victory against Bangladesh, led by skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, showcasing the depth and resilience of the squad.
As the team pivots their focus toward the white-ball challenges ahead, the upcoming three-match T20I series in Bangladesh, scheduled to commence on 28th April 2026 (Tuesday), serves as a crucial building block in their preparations. These encounters are vital for fine-tuning strategies before the team heads to the United Kingdom for the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, hosted by England and Wales from 12th June to 5th July 2026.
By honouring a pioneer like Gwen Herat while the current team reaches new heights on the international stage, Sri Lanka Cricket is perfectly balancing the preservation of its proud history with an ambitious vision for its future.
(Quotes sourced from Sri Lanka Cricket Press Release)
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