Reconciliation through cricket sponsored by FOG and the Bothams

Murali Harmony Cup Unity tour to UK

The Foundation of Goodness confirmed last Friday that it is organising a Murali Harmony Cup Unity tour to the United Kingdom. The Unity squad includes exceptionally talented U-19 cricketers from 14 different schools island-wide, including seven from the previously war affected areas in the North and East.

 click PIC to enlarge

The young cricketers were invited to participate in the tour after their outstanding performances during the 2013 Murali Harmony Cup, initiated by Sir Ian Botham. The Unity Tour, designed to showcase Sri Lanka’s cultural diversity, while promoting nation building and reconciliation, will depart for the UK on Monday (tomorrow), and play three matches against top English schools. The 50-over limited overs matches will be played against Emanuel School (11 June), Eton College (12 June) and Oundle College (15 June).

Janith Liyanage –St. Peter’s, C’bo (Captain)

Paamanathan Thuravarakaseelan — St. John’s, Jaffna (Vice-Captain)

Ravin Sayer – Trinity, Kandy,

Manokaran Dikshan — Central College, Batticaloa

Nowfar Aslam — Kinniya Central, Trinco

Jeyekumar Thunnushan— Hindu College, Kilinochchi

Arrokkiyanathan Vinoushan — Vidiyananda College, Mullaitivu

Puvirasasingham Haribaan — Siththivinayar College, Mannar

Kanagaratnam Thanushan — Tamil MMV, Vavuniya

Kaveesh Dilranga — Dharmasoka college, Ambalangoda

Roshen Fernando – St. Sebastain’s, Katuneriya

Kasun Weeranga — Anuradhpura central

Sudesh Indunil — Nissanka MV, Monaragala

Dilshan Kanchana – Devapathiraja, Central, Ratgama

The 14-member squad will be captained by all-rounder Janith Liyanage from St. Peter’s College and the vice-captain is Paramanatham Thuvarakaseelan of St. John’s College, Jaffna.

Organised with the kind assistance of Sarah Botham of Solo Events, the eight-day tour is sponsored by SriLankan Airlines, the Beefy Foundation, MAS, Tesco and Hameedias. The tour will include an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Lord’s and watch the third day’s play of the Sri Lanka vs England Test match, following an invitation from the Marylebone Cricket Club.

The British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, John Rankin hosted a farewell tea for the Unity Team on Friday, June 6, prior to their departure to the UK. He said; “sport is a universally unifying factor, bringing together young people who share the same dreams, aspirations and hope. As they head off to the UK, the Unity Team will discover that they have much in common with their British counterparts. Youth to youth contacts like this are the future of UK-Sri Lanka relations. I wish the team all the very best on their tour.

 Unity Team meets John Rankin: John Rankin shakes hands with Roshen Fernando of St. Sebastian’s College, Katuneriya, while Unity Team captain, Janith Liyanage of St. Peter’s College, Colombo, and vice captain, Paramanathan Thuvarakaseelan of St. John’s College, Jaffna, along with Foundation of Goodness Founder/Chief Trustee, Kushil Gunasekera and Head of Sports, Anura De Silva look on.

 For the FOUNDATION OF GODDNESS, see http://www.unconditionalcompassion.org/indexc.php

For Sanga’s Bikes for Life Campaign see http://www.unconditionalcompassion.org/sub/Sanga_BikesForLife_Gallery.html