It's not dengue, but another fever by Richard DWIGHT The businessmen and the professionals will pause for awhile during the day, to hurriedly question as to how it is going. The clerical officers too will gather at their lunch break, to weigh the pros and cons and deliberate vehemently, as to how things will turn out in the end. The man in the bus or train will also speak on the same theme, anxiously asking what the outcome would be in the end. Be it the baas, the restaurants, the clubs and hotels the question that will plop up time and again is who will reach the top. This is very similar to those horse-racing days, when someone pats you on the dance floor, to ask you what's good for Saturday. Not forgetting the ordinary man, the driver in the opposite house where I live, on seeing me asked me as to what will happen and I quipped that we ought to wait and see - the trishaw drivers and the vendors, while preparing for the great days, also feel that all will be well. You guessed it right, what we were dwelling around here is not the unhealthy dengue, but on the exhilarating, speculative World Cup cricket matches. And as the days draw nigh (February 19) on the lips and minds of most if not all, will be the World Cup which will reach feverish proportions. A word of caution to those with weak hearts watching the action on TV - avoid the tense, decisive closing stages on the screen. Plenty of work awaits TV repairers and sellers too. Last time, in 1996, under Arjuna Ranatunga, when we triumphed over Australia, it was heralded by speeding cars tooting their horns, and Sri Lankan flags appearing all over. Many were the people who converged on the Galle Face Green, to have a rollicking time singing and dancing to the Papara bands and illuminating the place with colourful fireworks. There was much partying at hotels and clubs. Everybody seemed to walk with a spring in their step. Sri Lankan employees in Australia walked into their offices with their heads held high and a small Sri Lankan flag in their hands. This great victory in 1996 was most timely, for amidst the civil conflict it gave a morale boost to the country. The image of the country broadened out to a healthy economy - with an impact on both exports and imports. Yes, a victory in the arena of world cricket does all this, and more. The distinctive difference between the 1996 World Cup and the 2011 World Cup is that the matches scheduled for Sri Lanka would be played in a peaceful environment, which speaks much for the country. Sri Lanka is led by a very accomplished skipper, Kumar Sangakkara and has an equally competent deputy, Mahela Jayawardane. The other players are young and talented and able to give a good account of themselves. As we see it, Sri Lanka may come within the top three but one cannot be sure for Sri Lanka has the potential of coming out right on top to hold on to the prestigious Cup as the victor. If that happens during peace time here, all hell will break loose and the country will benefit in more ways than one!