Sports

Sports

Goodwill gesture by wellwishers
By Bernie Wijesekera
Its encouraging to help the less affluent cricketers to go places in the willow wielding sport at grassroots level. Its a goodwill gesture said, the Australian High Commissioner David Binns, at the presentation of cricketing gear to 54 rural schools (a full bag) held at the BMICH on Feb. 26. H.E. Binns commended the personal interest taken by Sri Lanka's H.C. in Australia Maj.-Gen. Janaka Perera. Maj.-Gen. Perera, collected A.$ 14,000. It was not among only the Lankan expatriates, but other wellwishers too - including Australian firms, who are ardent supporters of Sri Lanka on and off the field. Mr. Binns assured that he will give all encouragement and support at this and for its continuity in the years to come.

Ronnie Weerakoon, thanked Sri Lankan-born Harry Solomons the Managing Director Kingsgrove Sports Centre, who has been regularly helping Sri Lanka's Rural schools with similar packages in collaboration with Glibert Jayasuriya. Solomons, an oldboy of St. Aloysius College, Galle, is here with a tour party to watch the one-day series and the tests boosting Lanka's tourism too. Harry was interviewed by The Sunday Times said the gear given to the 54 rural schools cost A.$ 37,000. Each bag valued at A.$ 600.

He was able to order direct from the suppliers and thereby save A.$ 200 from each kit. The vice-president of the Sri Lanka Board, Aravinda de Silva, M. Weeratunga President of the S.L.SCA, Secretary B.S. Perera and Bertram Jayasuriya, Duleep Mendis were present. at the ceremony.

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