By Elmo Rodrigopulle
Six members of the epoch-making Sri Lanka cricket team which registered their maiden Test victory in England over England will return today.
The seven are - Marvan Atapattu, Romesh Kaluwitharane, Kumara Dharmasena, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Chandika Hathurusinghe and Pramodya Wickremasinghe.
Chaminda Vaas who went to England for medical treatment for his ankle will also be on the same flight with physio Alex Kountouri.
The remaining members of the contingent will return on Sept. 4.
The sporting Minister of Sport who was elated over Sri Lanka's splendid and convincing victory along with Ministry Secretary, Dr. R.M.K. Ratnayake, other ministry officials, Chief Executive of the Cricket Board Dhammika Ranatunga and R. Rajasingham, Cricket Co-Ordinator BCCSL will be at the airport to greet the cricketers.
Sri Lanka has one more game to play in England. The team for this game will be picked from the 12 remaining players there.
Proud of you all
To Arjuna Ranatunga, officials and the world champion team.
Sincere congratulations on the historic victory on English soil.
We Sri Lankans are indeed proud of you all. Keep up the good work. Hope and pray that you all will bring back the World Cup next year too.
With all good wishes.
Jeevan Kumaranatunga
Deputy Minister of Sports
It was a great team effort
``My congratulation on the historic victory achieved by the Sri Lanka cricket team in the Test match against England. It was a great team effort combined with skill and dedication. I do hope this will serve as an eye-opener to other Test-playing nations to give us more test-matches than they have done hitherto.''
C. V. Gooneratne
Minister of Industrial Development