| Thousands of Sri Lankan cricket enthusiasts gathered in front of their television sets at home and at wide screens installed at many public places to be a part of the historic day when Sri Lanka took on India at the finals of the World Cup at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
Cricket fever was mounting from early Saturday morning with flag-waving fans gathering to watch the match.
Commuters passing through Pettah were able to witness a ceiling of national flags that covered the entire area with traders proudly displaying the ‘lion’ flag, decorating streets and houses.
Though Sri Lanka was defeated, ealier in the day, papare bands were heard as thousands gathered around mega screens telecasting the World Cup final. Clad in Sri Lanka T-shirts and painted faces, young men and women cheered their team a thousand miles away across the ocean.
It was not only the roads that were deserted, most shops put up their shutters by noon. The usual buzz at bus stops, hospitals, police stations and supermarkets was dampened by the cricket fever.
From the Welikada prison, where inmates were given special permission to watch the match, to the humblest of homes, they were all joined in silent prayer for Sri Lanka’s success.
Our photographers M.A. Pushpa Kumara, and Gemunu Wellage captured these scenes in Colombo City.
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| Patients at the National Hospital Accident Ward
watch the match |
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| Go Lanka go: Cricket fans at Parliament Grounds |
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