Jayasuriya star attraction at T20 World Cup

First assignment after becoming an MP in Sri Lanka’s parliament:

by Leslie FERNNADO

CRICKET: Sanath Jayasuriya has a tendency to set up records both on the field as well as out of it. His a latest record is that he will become the first Member of Parliament to ‘don’ pads and bat in the forthcoming T20 World Cup to be played in the West Indies starting on April 30.

Last Thursday when he walked into Parliament at the opening ceremony, he was given a rousing welcome by all Parliamentarians acknowledging his great achievement in the field of cricket. Sanath Jayasuriya, newest sensation is in politics in Sri Lanka.

It was one of the best things that happened to me in 1988 when I won the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in the Outstation Section,” said Jayasuriya.

“That’s an experience I will never forget. It was a good achievement and it is still in my memory.

“That was the stepping stone for me, to continue playing the game. I must thank the Observer a lot for giving the Matara schools and school cricket the much needed push”. Jayasuriya said playing for St. Servatius College, Matara brought him immense joy. The Matara stalwart said that the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest should not be the end, but the beginning of better things to follow when playing in big company as against the top - notch cricketers from other countries.

A contest of this nature means a lot to young cricketers. When I was picked as the Best Outstation Cricketer in 1988, it gave me a lot of satisfaction and spurred me on and I am what I am now, because of inter-school cricket and the encouragement it gave me,” Jayasuriya said. Jayasuriya said that ANCL and the SUNDAY OBSERVER should continue with the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest to unearth talent from the outstation schools in the years to come.