Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai hosts reception for visiting Lankan cricket team

• Event held in association with Lanka Lions Sports Club

 The Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, in association with the Lanka Lions Sport Club in Dubai, hosted a reception for the visiting Sri Lanka cricket team on 21 October at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai. 

Over 300 guests participated in the event including Sri Lanka’s national cricket team, foreign dignitaries, office bearers and members of the Lanka Lions Sports Club as well as other Sri Lankan associations together with a large number of Sri Lankan expatriates based in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. 

Welcoming the Sri Lankan cricket team and the foreign dignitaries gathered at the event, Consul General Charitha Yattogoda conveyed the nation’s appreciation to the Sri Lankan test cricket team over their victory in both test matches played against Pakistan. He reassured them of the constant support of all Sri Lankans based in the UAE despite their recent setbacks in One Day cricket.

Sri Lankan cricket team Manager Asanka Gurusinghe, speaking at the event, told the crowd that the Sri Lankans would regain their former glory.

The evening also featured music and traditional Sri Lankan dances performed by the Meshan Dissanayake Dancing Academy. A video clip displaying the talents of the 1996 Sri Lankan cricket team was also displayed at the event.

At the occasion, special awards were given by the Olcott Schools Union in the UAE to Rangana Herath for his exceptional achievement of taking 400 test wickets and to Dinesh Chandimal and Upul Tharanga in their capacities as Test and One Day captains respectively. 

The current fast bowling and batting coaches of the Sri Lankan team, Rumesh Ratnayake and Hashan Thilakarathne respectively, former cricketer and commentator Russel Arnold and Sri Lanka’s Head Coach Nic Pothas also attended the event.

The Consul General of Pakistan to Dubai and the Northern Emirates Zyed Javed Hassen and former Pakistani Captain Rameez Raja represented Pakistan at the reception.