SL: Sri Lanka Players In Spotlight In London (7 Jun 1996)

7 June 1996

Lankan cricketers in the spotlight

The Sri Lankan cricketers led by Arjuna Ranatunga were feted across London, mobbed by fans at the Festival of Cricket and over fifty three members of the British media - the press, radio and six television crews attended a press luncheon organised by Ivan Corea, Editor of Sri Lanka Today Magazine who brought out a special cricket supplement for the occasion. The supplement included an article by Dr. Daya Panditha - Gunewardena of the BCCSL.

The Sri Lankan cricketers received unprecedented positive publicity as a result with virtually every British sports writer backing a three test campaign launched by Sri Lanka Today Magazine. Arjuna Ranatunga spoke about Sri Lanka`s historic World Cup win and said the team would like to play a good solid series with England - at least with three tests.

Sri Lanka were awarded two trophies for the Team of 1996 by Sri Lanka Today Magazine/Travel Days Europe and Eastern Eye. Aravinda de Silva was adjudged Cricketer of the Year by Sri Lanka Today and Sanath Jayasuriya as Cricketer of the Moment. Tim de Lisle, Editor of Wisden Cricketer Monthly awarded Sanath Jayasuriya the honour of being Wisden Cricketer of the Month and Aravinda de Silva as Wisden`s Cricketer of the Year.

The press luncheon was judged a huge success for the cause of Sri Lankan cricket by the distinguished gathering of Britain`s top sports writers. Sky TV, BBC TV, LIVE TV, Sky TV Sports `Pavilion End` program and ZEE TV televised the historic function.

Source :: Daily News (http.//www.lanka.net)