MP's overhaul Minister's XI in fun-filled softball match
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Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa (R), the Speaker of
Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa (2R), Leader of the main
Opposition, United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickremesinghe
(2L), and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa
watch a cricket match between Parliamentarians at the Sports
Ministry Grounds in Colombo on December 11, 2011. Cricket is
a national obsession and is a highly popular game after the
island won the World Cup in 1996. AFP
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CRICKET: Ministers and Members of Parliament took time off from their
onerous duties of Parliament and settled for a game of Cricket last
Sunday by the side of Independence Square on the much admired Sports
Ministry Grounds, Torrington Square.
The match between Ministers' XI and MP's XI evoked Olenty of interest
as there were quite a number of eye-catching names that had come to play
the game. A great day was had by all.
The MP's XI led by that dashing Sri Lanka skipper of the past Sanath
Jayasuriya had the good fortune of taking first lease of the wicket and
they ran up quite a formidable score of 176 for 8 wickets in alloted 20
overs with the skipper himself-Sanath Jayasuriya on top of them all with
36 runs, while Akila Viraj Kariyawasam made 32 and Neranjan
Wickremasinghe made 27. The MP's went on to grab the Speaker's Trophy.
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Sri Lankan ruling party legislator, Namal Rajapaksa (R)
congratulates former Sri Lankan cricket captain Sanath
Jayasuriya (L), who has since entered politics, after they
took a wicket of a fellow MP during an annual friendly match
involving Members of Parliament in Colombo on December 11,
2011. Rajapaksa is the eldest son of President Mahinda
Rajapaksa. Cricket is a national obsession and is a highly
popular game after the island won the cricket World Cup in
1996. AFP |
The Minister's bowling line-up was headed by Wimal Weerawansa who
captured 3 for 34 and showed that he had not lost touch with the game
from his early days and he was undoubtedly the best bowler of the side.
Came the time for the Ministers XI to bat, but they could not match
the MP's XI and they flopped to 105 for 7 wickets in their 20 overs. Top
scorer for the Ministers XI was Indika Bandaranayake with 19, while
Dullas Alahapperuma (11) and Mahindananda Aluthgamage (12) made useful
contributions.
The leading bowlers of MP's XI were Harsha de Silva 2 for 13 and
Sanath Jayasuriya 2 for 14.
The awards ceremony came on and Dullas Alahapperuma of the Ministers
XI was picked as the Man of the Match. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam of the
MP's XI was picked as the best batsman while Harsha de Silva of the MP's
XI was the best bowler.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the chief guest and keeping him
company was the Speaker of Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa and Opposition
Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe of the UNP.
MP's XI: 176 for 8 in 20 overs (Sanath Jayasuriya 36, Akila Viraj
Kariyawasam 32, Niranjan Wickramasinghe 27, Wimal Weerawansa 3 for 34).
MINISTERS' XI: 105 for 7 in 20 overs (Indika Bandaranayake 19,
Mahindananda Aluthgamage 12, Dullas Alahapperuma 11, Harsha de Silva 2
for 13, Sanath Jayasuriya 2 for 14.)
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MP Dilan Perera shakes hands with Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa.
Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and MP Lakshman
Seneviratne looks on.
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Batticaloa district MP Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan shakes
hands with Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa prior to the
commencement of the cricket match between Parliamentarians
MP’s XI vs Minister’s XI at Sports Ministry grounds
Torrington last week. Also in the picture are Keheliya
Rambukwella Media minister and Colombo District MP Wimal
Weerawansa. |
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MP Dullus Allahapperuma Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills
Development about to deliver the ball. Umpire Sagara Gallage
looks on.
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UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake is run out as MP Dullus
Allahapperuma breaks the stumps.
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Minister of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and
Common Amenaties Wimal Weerawansa - the former Tissa
Vidyalaya Kalutara cricketer delivers the ball for the
Minister’s XI. |
Colombo District MP Thilanga Sumathipala - the former
Nalanda cricketer turns the ball on the leg side.
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