Sri Lankan cricketers visit Sigiriya grounds

By Ivan Corea

31 July 1998


In the heart of Leicestershire there is a little bit of England's green and pleasant land named Sigiriya, in the parish of Illston village, an hour away from the Leicestershire County Cricket Grounds in Grace Road. The view is breath taking, situated between two churches and stunning green fields, the Sigiriya Grounds takes you back to Nuwara-Eliya.

The owner is an extraordinary man. Self-made millionaire Sarath Abeysundera is a dedicated, committed backer of Sri Lankan cricket. Chairman of Leicester Dyers, a thriving company within the textile industry in the Midlands, Sarath Abeysundera is a name so well known in cricketing and business circles in Leicester. He has backed the county club, raised funds for the cause of Sri Lankan cricket. His dream is now a reality - cricketers from all over the world have made their way to Abey's club to play on this stunning ground. Arjuna Ranatunga and the World Champions have played here. Arvinda de Silva has knocked sixes past the cows grazing on the adjoining field. Muttiah Muralitharan's wily spin has bamboozled many a cricketer on this ground.

Abeysundera hosted the entire Sri Lankan team including Manager Ranjit Fernando and coach Roy Dias at a reception in their honour in his club house. It was a marvellous sight to see the entire team in smart casual dress with their rust coloured shirts with a golden lion motif - the coach winding its way down the leafy countryside lanes finally reaching Abey's cricket club in the tiny village hamlet where only 60 inhabitants live. The sound of baila echoed around the club house and Sri Lankans from various parts of Leicester descended on the club to pay tribute and honour the World Champions who beat the country their first win on the UK tour. Also present were members of the UK Representative Committee of the BCCSL of which Abeysundera is a member. It was a glorious night as the team relaxed deep in the countryside on land claimed by a Sri Lankan renamed Sigiriya.


Source: The Daily News

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Date-stamped : 31 Jul1998 - 10:16