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Jan 14 2013.

When the lions roared again

March 17th 1996 - a day many Sri Lankans wish they can relive and celebrate the hype surrounding Sri Lanka’s world cup victory. The team led by “Captain Cool” Arjuna Ranatunga had automatically qualified for the quarter finals as a result of Australian and West Indian officials refusing to send the respective teams to our tiny little island paradise which was co-hosting the games for the first time, citing security concerns. Making the best of this excellent opportunity, our fearless lions marched forward and lifted the Wills World Cup beating the mighty Australians.

Since that eventful day, Sri Lanka has been known as the “land of the lions” and Sri Lankan Cricket has been at its peak until recent times. However at the time this article was being written the present Sri Lankan team had just registered a win after suffering humiliating back to back losses against the same country they had beaten to mark their name in history.

It always feels good to do something for charity but to do something for charity and also make an entire nation happy takes thing to an entirely different level. That is exactly what Baby Cheramy did with their “Big Heart Project” over the last weekend. The whole of Sri Lanka anticipated the return of the 1996 World Cup team to play a friendly match against the current SL team, in aid of raising funds to provide education for the children of this country who are less fortunate.

Speaking to Daily Mirror Life, Shiranaaz Kaney, group product manager of Hemas said, “We found out that so many children in this country do not have access to quality education and that is when this project blew up and the 96 world cup team came forward to support this cause.”

Kaney also said, “It is the youth that can take this country forward and that is why Baby Cheramy will continue to bring forward events like this in order to make sure that the youth will grow up to be good leaders of this country.”

The event began with the 96 team taking the field, managing to restrict the Sri Lankan eleven

comprising greats such as Sidath Wettamuny, Brendon Kurruppu and many more, to 137 runs within their allotted 20 overs.

Rohan, a spectator, says, “It is disappointing that Murali is not playing this match; that would have made this game simply perfect.”

Following the exciting bit of skills displayed on the field by the World Cup champions who made it look as if they had just got off the field a month ago after winning the world cup, it was their turn to take the crease.

Following the early dismissal of “ Master Blaster” Sanath Jayasuriya, Asanka Gurusinghe played a few hard shots before his wicket fell, it was Arjuna and “Little Kalu” who took the innings forward with Kalu top scoring (56 runs).

Final decision: The champion side still had it in them and it was indeed a fantastic day of cricket where everyone had the time of the lives knowing that they had contributed to making sure that the future of this country lies in safe hands.