President congratulates Lankan cricketers

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday sent a congratulatory message to the Sri Lankan cricket team after their convincing victory win over New Zealand.

He has commended the fighting qualities of the Sri Lanka team, which crushed New Zealand by 189 runs in the fourth one-day international played at Eden Park, Auckland yesterday. The win enabled Sri Lanka to level the series two-all with the decisive fifth and final ODI to be played in Hamilton on Tuesday.

President Rajapaksa has wished Mahela Jayawardene and his team all success in the crucial game to win the five-match ODI series. The President has also commended veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya (who made an explosive innings of 70 off 44 balls with five sixes and seven boundaries) and Kumar Sangakkara (who made 79 off 103 balls) and the accurate pace bowling of Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga (who captured three wickets apiece).