England has the Barmy Army, India, the Bharat Army and Australia the Boonie Army, to cheer their cricket teams. Now, Sri Lanka too has got its own cheering squad.

And guess what the name is? It’s Appu Army.

Initiated by Sri Lankan expatriate Lal Samuels, a web designer by profession in Sydney, the Appu Army was launched on Friday and there was a significant number as the Sri Lankans were trying to cheer their team on as a group at the Sydney Cricket Ground, during the One-Day International against Australia.

Samuels, who said his parents still live in Negombo, has even set up a website, which is, www.appuarmy.com.

Speaking to ‘The Island’ Samuels (39), said that he passionately supported the team and wanted many other Sri Lankans to come support ‘Mahela and the Boys’.

When asked about the name that he picked for the cheering squad, he said, "Appuhamy is such a common name back in Sri Lanka and we just played around with the letters and called the cheer squad Appu Army," he said.

The Appu Army had Sri Lankan supporters beating their drums and trumpets right from the start and they really rocked the SCG when Kumar Sangakkara was batting.

Probably, they should name Percy Abeysekara, the greatest supporters of them all, as their Honourary President.

Courtesy - SNNI