Sri Lanka News Round-up (8 Nov 1997)

Saturday 08, November 1997

Sports in brief

Daily News

People's Bank by 3 wickets

People's Bank beat Petroleum Corporation by three wickets in a Nationalised Services Cricket Veteran's Tournament match.

Petroleum Corporation 146 all out in 35 overs (S. Perera 55, A. Senanayaka 36, R. Wijesooriya 3 for 6).

People's Bank 147 for 7 wickets in 28.2 overs (Nihal Fernando 62, M. I. Kichilan 16, M. Adnan 15, R. perera 2 for 33).

No play in four school matches

No play was possible in four key inter-school cricket matches which were to commence in Colombo and Mt.Lavinia yesterday. The inter-school match between Nalanda and Isipatana did not come off due to a water logged outfield.

Heavy overnight rain also washed off the St.Peter's v St.Sylvester's game at Bambalapitiya and St.Joseph's v De Mazenod match at Darley Road. It was the same ground conditions at Mt.Lavinia where S.Thomas' were to host Thurstan. House of Commons Cavaliers cricket dinner

World champions honoured

The House of Commons in the Palace of Westminster echoed to the sound of cheers as the Cavaliers Club, presided over by Sri Lankan business tycoon Lakhi Liyanage honoured the Sri Lankan team - the World Champions led by Arjuna Ranatunga.

The dinner held in the Members Dining Room was the first ever function honouring our cricketers - it was hosted by the Hon. Tom Brake M.P. The chief guests were Mr. Kingsley T. Wickremeratne M.P. Minister of Trade and Commerce and Mr. C. V. Gooneratne, M.P. Minister of Industries - both Ministers made outstanding speeches which were well received by the high powered guests who came from the world of business, sports and politics. It was an enjoyable evening and the British guests were impressed by the whole function.

Lakhi Liyanage, President of the Cavaliers spoke eloquently against Lord Tebbit's remarks about ethnic minority communities and said that Sri Lankans and their children were playing a vital role in British society. Earlier the guests were taken on tours of the Palace of Westminster by staff attached to parliament - they were enthraled by the House of Lords and the House of Commons chambers. Christopher Martin - Jenkins entertained the guests with a typical cricket dinner speech - he paid tribute to Sri Lanka's cricketers and backed the three test campaign. The Daily Telegraph Correspondent who has visited Sri Lanka several times wished Arjuna Ranatunga and the team well for their 1998 tour of the U.K. The vote of thanks was given by Ivan Corea.

Among the VIP guests were - Alan Comfort, former football star who played for Queens Park Rangers, the eminent Dr. Daya Panditha Gunewardena, London Representative of the BCCSL, Business tycoon Sarath Abeysundera, Managing-Director of Duke's Court Travel Sarath Liyanage, Assistant Country Manager of Air Lanka Nalin Rodrigo, Trade Commissioner of the Sri Lanka High Commission Mr. Ariyaratne, Former Deputy Foreign Minister and ex-President of the BCCSL - Tyronne Fernando, M.P., Club cricketer Deepal Ahangama, Digital executive Hilary de Zoysa, Property developer Gamini Gunewardena, Managing Director of Glen Carriers Mr. Edwards and a host of top businessmen.

Sanath Jayasuriya - Sri Lanka's top batsman received two awards for his outstanding performance - the Sri Lanka Today Magazine Trophy for the Cricketer of the Year and the Wisden Cricketer of the Year award - he was one of 5 cricketers selected by Wisden for 1997. The trophy was accepted on Jayasuriya's behalf by Minister Kingsley T. Wickremaratne and Tyronne Fernando.

The guests thanks Lakhi and Cassie Liyanage for a splendid evening which was a credit to Sri Lanka and generated positive publicity for the cause of Sri Lankan cricket. The `Thunderer' the London Times and the Daily Telegraph mentioned the prestigious function attended by over 150 guests.

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