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Colombo, 3rd October 2007 , Sri Lanka Insurance together with the Cricketer's Association (SLCA) kicked off the first phase of Cricket legends – a friendly six- a-side cricket carnival held at the SSC grounds, Colombo . The carnival organised by SLCA's official insurance provider, brought together the national team as well as several cricketing stars of yesteryear in the true spirit of the game.
The match which commenced at 8.30 a.m. on 26 th September got off to a thrilling start for all spectators who gathered to watch their cricketing hero's in action. Both past and present Cricketers were equally segregated into 8 different teams from A to H.
It was also a day for cricketing legends to meet and greet with current players and spectators at the one day tournament. The atmosphere brought the crowds alive and cheers galore. A special appearance by Percy , Sri Lanka 's legendary cricketing cheer leader, added to the fun and excitement of the day.
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Team ‘A' comprised of Bandula Warnapura (Captain), Avishka Gunawardene, Chamara Dunusinghe, Saliya Ahangama, Athula Samarasekera, Don Arunasiri, Piyal Wijetunga, Malinga Bandara, Mahela Jayawardene, Jayananda Warnaweera .
Team ‘B' was captained by Duleep Mendis and comprised of team members, Indika De Saram, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Susil Fernando, Niroshan, Bandarathilake, Sajeeva Silva, Rohan Jayasekera, Kumar Sangakkara and Gamini Perera.
Captaining team ‘C' was Roy Dias, with team members, Thilina Kandambi, Guy De Alwis, Ashantha De Mel, Keerthi Ranasinghe, Sanath Kaluperuma, Nuwan Zoysa, Dulip Samaraweera, Upul Tharanga and T.M Dilshan .
Ravi Rathnayake was Captain of team ‘D' with Upul Chandana, Gamini Wickramasinghe, Granville De Silva, Charith Senanayake, Rojer Wijesooriya, Eric Upashantha, Chamara Kapukedara, Hasantha Fernando and Dilhara Fernando as team members.
Team ‘E' comprised of Arjuna Ranathunga (Captain) Saman Jayantha, hemantha Devapriya, Kosala Kuruppuarachchi, Uvais Karnain, Ajith De Silva, Naveed Naavaz, Sanath Jayasooriya, Manjula Munasinghe and Lasith Malinga .
Team ‘F' comprised of (Captain) Aravinda De Silva, Michael Vandort, Prasanna Jayawardene, Kapila Wijegunawardene, Chandika Hathurusinghe, Asoka De Silva, Hemantha Wickremaratne, Chamara Silva, Gayan Wijekoon and Nisal Fernando.
Captaining team ‘G' was D.S. De Silva, while Thilan Samaraweera, Brandon Kuruppu, Champika Ramanayake, Ruwan Kalpage, Kumar Dharmasena, Ashley De Silva, M. Mahroof, Muttiah Muralidaran and J.C Gamage made up the rest of the team.
Finally, team ‘H' was Captained by Hashan Thilakaratne and team members Anura Gunawardene, Dhamikka Ranatuga, Vinodhan John, Ranjith Madurusinghe, Sanjeeva Weerasinghe, Jayantha Amarasooriya, Jehan Mubarak, Chaminda Vaas and T. L. Fernando.
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Following the Cricket carnival was a special Legends Night held at the Waters Edge, in recognition of all cricketing legends who have contributed immeasurably to the national sport. The ceremony was marked with the handing over of the policy exchange made by Mr. Damien Fernando, Director of SLIC to Mr. Sidath Wetamuni, President of Sri Lanka Cricketer's Association (SLCA).
Cricketing legends from several decades starting from the early 1950's to today's cricketing heroes were felicitated at this gala event which featured music from different eras, performed by top artistes, Latha Walpola, Neela Wickremasinghe, Ranil Mallawarachchi, Annesley Malewana and Bathiya & Santhush.
The star studded night was graced by many spectators who attended the event to witness ‘for the first time in history' all their cricketing heroes on one stage.
Whilst felicitating the 1996 world cup team amidst much cheering, former national cricketer and master batsman Aravinda de Silva commended the efforts made by Sri Lanka Insurance and the Sri Lanka Cricketer's Association. “A felicitation ceremony such as this is a much needed exercise” he said and took the opportunity to urge the public to be considerate of the sacrifices and vigorous training and stress players go through to bring glory to Sri Lanka. Mahela Jayawardene, who was also felicitated along with the Sri Lankan cricket team for being runners up to the World Cup 2007, said “I'm extremely grateful to these veteran cricketers who came before us and paved the way for us to achieve what we are today.”
The highlight of the evening came shortly when the 2007 World Cup Team presented a life size photograph of past cricketers starting from the 1950's to the oldest national player of the country –Tita Nathanialzs who played for the Ceylon team in 1948.
Sri Lanka Insurance is the largest and strongest composite insurance provider in Sri Lanka , with over Rs. 50 Billion in assets under management, over one million policies in force and an average claims settlement of Rs 21 million a day. Sri Lanka Insurance is the only Insurance Company in Sri Lanka to be assigned a global rating for financial strength and stability from a world renowned rating agency. The company received the AA- Sri from Fitch Ratings London for the third consecutive year for Financial Strength & Stability. |
