A schoolboy from Jaffna Central College has made history by booking a place in the Sri Lanka side for the current home series against the Bangladesh Under-19 team.

Vijayakanth Viyaskanthan, a fast bowler, received his youth cap from former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga at the start of the four-day match on Tuesday becoming the first player from the peninsular to receive such an honour from the World Cup winning captain of 1996.

Ranatunga said it was one of his happiest moments to be part of the occasion at the NCC ground in Colombo.

“It was one of my dreams to see a boy from Jaffna come into the Sri Lanka team. I am very happy that I saw it all happen”, said Ranatunga.

He hoped it will mark the start of more players from the north to make the grade and be part of the Sri Lanka set-up.