Sri Lanka Cricket lends a helping hand

It was a day of HOPE for 225 innocent children, from Hambantota and Matara who unfortunately lost both or one parent in the Tsunami disaster. This was the first batch of beneficiaries of the Foster Parents Scheme inaugurated at Rahula College Matara by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) through Cricket-Aid (CA) on 28th February 2005.

One thousand children will benefit from this scheme.

In a simple colourful ceremony held at Matara, these children were presented with gift packs, which included Bank books, Health Insurance Cover and school materials in addition to which each child will receive a sum of rupees 1000/- per month for period of ten years.

The highlight of the ceremony was the presence of Surrey County Cricket Club Chief Executive Mr. Paul Sheldon, who was the Guest of Honour.

Paul Sheldon in brief speech stated "Thilanga is a great man. He is a highly respected personality in the world cricket scene. Driven by his dynamism, and his commitment to cricket, we, decided to help Cricket-Aid - an arm of Sri Lanka Cricket by making a generous gesture of sterling pounds 250,000 towards building one of the Cricket Villages. I'm deeply touched with the hospitality and the smiling faces of your people".

Mr. Mohan de Silva - President of Sri Lanka Cricket said that having faith in Thilanga Sumathipala's ability SLC unanimously appointed him Chairman of Cricket-Aid and within a short period of time, Sumathipala saw to the opening of refugee camps that has now led to this first phase launch of the Foster Parents Scheme.

The Chief Guest of the ceremony Thilanga Sumathipala paid a glowing tribute to everyone who constantly supported the Cricket-Aid, "As the Chairman of Cricket-Aid, I am proud of them for their hard work and we were able achieve all these through teamwork", and thanked the cricketers for assisting Cricket-Aid.

Ven. Gatamanne Dharmakeerthi, Ven. Gammedagama Chandrajothi, Mohan de Silva - President SLC, Chaminda Liyanage - Coordinating Secretary to Hon. Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Ravin Wickramaratne - Assistance Secretary - SLC, Asantha de Mel - Chairman - Selection Committee, Brendon Kuruppu - Manager National Cricket Team, Marven Attapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando and Lasitha Malinga were also present.