World champions honoured in London (4 May 1999)

4 May 1999

World champions honoured in London

Ivan Corea

Over eight hundred people applauded Arjuna Ranatunga and the world champions when they arrived at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London. The Sri Lankan team were accorded this singular honour at the World Cup dinner attended by diplomats, sports personalities, top businessmen and members of the Asian community. Even Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis were present at this charity dinner aimed at raising funds for the Dambulla region to bring cricket to all the people of this area.

Gypsies provided the right kind of entertainment with Dalrene joining the group on vocals. A poignant moment of the whole evening held under the massive golden chandeliers of Grovenor House was when the entire Sri Lankan team got on stage and joined he Gypsies in their tribute to the world champions. This moment said it all - Sri Lanka had won the World Cup, this developing nation, spurned by the cricket pundits, dismissed as 'minnows' had stamped on the arrogance of the Australians and lifted the cup. It was moving, the team were saying thank you to their motherland.

What a sight it was to see Arjuna Ranatunga taking lead vocals with Sunil Perera of the Gypsies - the whole team joined in song much to the astonishment of the top British media men present among them Simon Qynne-Perry of BBC TV News, James Pierce of BBC TV News, Matt Davies of BBC World Service, Adam Licudi of Eastern Eye/Asian Times.

Celebrated author and TV personality Sri Lnaka born Shyama Perera compered the glittering evening. Eloquent speeches were made by Asitha Jayaweera, Chairman of the UK Representative Committee of the BCCSL, Duleep Mendis, Manger of the World Champions and the charismatic Dhammika Ranatunga, Chief Executive of the BCCSL who was resplendent in national dress.

The star of the evening was Tony Lewis, President of the MCC. His witty speech brought the house down. Tony Lewis paid tribute to the 'excellent cricket' played by Arjuna Ranatunga and the team. His jokes were spot on - most of them about David Gower. During the evening the BBC TV men told me that former England captain David Gower counted his 1985 tour of Sri Lanka one of the best.

The President of the MCC recalled how David Gower had got up and gone down for breakfast at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo. Suddenly a bellboy walked around with a board calling out for David Gower. On seeing this Gower acknowledged the bell boy who turned around and told him, 'Sir, this is your early morning wake up call!' The guests all burst into laughter at Tony Lews' marvellous accounts. He praised the world champions for their grit and their exciting brand of cricket.

The entire evening was conducted with decorum and it was a fitting tribute to Arjuna Ranatunga and the team. The MCC were fully behind the Sri Lankan team and it showed in the genuine warmth and affection Tony Lewis had for the people of Sri Lanka and her cricketers. It's people like this who keep the British flag flying rather than the thuggery in words and deeds of others.

Chitranganie Wagiswara, Deputy High Commissioner was herself brilliant and made valid points of Sri Lankan women playing their role in the scheme of things where cricket was concerned.

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