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The Sri Lanka Rugby team which will take part in the 18th Rugby Asiad in Bangkok, Thailand from November 16 to 23 will be sponsored by the Sri Lanka Tea Board.

The Minister of Plantation Industries, Lakshman Kiriella speaking at a press briefing at his Ministry yesterday said that rugby was immensely popular in the country and he initiated this sponsorship package which would help the national ruggerites to get the much needed foreign exposure. Several youngsters including several schoolboys will be representing Sri Lanka at the Rugby Asiad and the experience gained will stand them in good stead in the future.

The chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board Ronnie Weerakoon said that they came forward to sponsor the Sri Lanka team to the value of Rs. 1.5 million as the team comprised several youngsters who were a disciplined lot with exemplary behaviour on and off the field. Next year too the Tea Board will come up with a sponsorship package which would help the SLRFU to honour its international commitments.

The president of the SLRFU commodore Harsha Mayadunne paid a glowing tribute to Minister Lakshman Kiriella who was instrumental in obtaining this sponsorship package. "When he was Sports Minister Lakshman Kiriella rendered yeoman service to promote rugby in Sri Lanka and he was still taking a keen interest in the development of rugby, said Mayadunne who also thanked the Sri Lanka Tea Board for its generous sponsorship package. - (R.S.)

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