Lankans to be felicitated today in grand style

CRICKET - Sri Lanka cricketers Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga are to be honoured by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) at a dinner at the Cinnamon Grand hotel today, for their recent achievements on the international fold.

Jayawardene, who took over as captain from Marvan Atapattu, was named the captain of the year in the recent ICC Awards held in Mumbai. His excellent leadership and batting, especially during Sri Lanka's tour of England and in the home series against South Africa, helped him win the prize.

He established a world-record partnership of 624 with Kumar Sangakkara in the first Test against South African at the SSC, the highest partnership in Test and first-class cricket history for any wicket. Jayasuriya and Tharanga also figured in a world-record stand when they put on 287, the highest opening partnership in ODI history, against England at Leeds last summer. Jayasuriya scored 152 and Tharanga 109.

"We must honour the players who bring glory to the country with their achievements on the cricket field," said K Mathivanan, the Sri Lanka Cricket secretary.

"This sort of recognition will motivate not only the national cricketers further but others as well." The 400 guests will include past presidents and secretaries of Sri Lanka Cricket, the 47 clubs affiliated to SLC and former national cricketers. Among the honoured guests expected to grace the occasion are Arjuna Ranatunga, the former Sri Lankan captain, Aravinda de Silva, Jayantha Dharmadasa, SLC's interim committee president and Jeevan Kumaratunga, the Sports Minister.