2.2.2008

Canberra Community excels in Grand Function for Sri Lankan Cricketers.

The evening began with the cricketers arriving at 7.30 pm in brand new Audi
cars looking very smart and though they had only just arrived from Sydney an
hour earlier they were very attentive to the needs of their fans who had
gathered in large numbers outside the venue at the Canberra Racecourse.
They were whisked away by the officials to a separate area where autographs
and pleasantries were exchanged and they had the chance to mingle with a
number of children, cricket fans and an amazing gathering of well-wishers
before venturing into the main reception and dining areas for the official
reception and dinner which began at 8pm in the beautiful Thoroughbred Park
and Convention Centre.

Canberra's leading Radio KIX 106.1 Disc Jockey got the evening away to a
great start with a pleasant 'Welcome to the Team' and the other members of
the diplomatic corps present with special guests that included The High
Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Australia Mr. Kusum Balapatabendi under whose
auspices the function was held.

The traditional lighting of the oil lamp by His Excellency the High
Commissioner, Mahela Jayawardene,Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya,Dr.
Quintus De Zylva and Alston Koch followed by the welcome speech by The High
Commissioner for Sri Lanka Mr. Kusum Balapatabendi who mentioned that this
was the first event hosted by the Sri Lankan community in Canberra for
visiting Sri Lankan cricketers although cricket has been played between the
nations for almost 124 years.

He also mentioned that Australian cricketers have played the one day version
of the game in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) more than a hundred years ago when
visiting teams took the chance to shake of their 'sea legs' and get useful
match practice on their way to England. Some of the more famous were Don
Bradman,M.A Noble, Lindsay Hassett,Keith Miller, Richie Benaud, Ian
Chappell, Doug Walters and Bill Lawry to mention a few.

The compere then invited Mahela Jayawardena to the podium and a 'live'
interview took place with the Captain of the Sri Lankan team given the
chance to answer questions from the very distinguished audience which was
very informative and proved to everyone present that Sri Lanka and it's
cricketers always play the game in its true 'cricketing' spirit and were
worthy winners of the 'Spirit of Cricket' awarded to them recently.

A very successful auction of memorabilia took place followed by the surprise
appearance of Alston Koch to sing the 'Murali' song written by him in
tribute to Muralidaran the World record holder. Invited for this command
performance by H.E The High Commissioner Alston 'moved' the very receptive
crowd and the cricketers with his live rendition and set the mood for what
was later a grand finale with a 'live' discotheque with all of the 'young at
heart' dancing to the music of 'Chad' bringing the curtain down on
Canberra's first and best reception to the Sri Lankan Cricket Team hosted by
the Canberra Sri Lankan community helped by a hard working committee that
deserves the accolades handed to them by everyone present who enjoyed this
memorable and pleasant evening in the capital city of Australia.

Venue: Thoroughbred Park Function Centre - Canberra
Official coverage (SNNI) & Pics Johann Jayasinha