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| Wednesday, 13 October 2004 |
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Canada stands behind Murali's projects From Dirk Tissera (in Ottawa & Toronto) Dubbed the Wayne Gretzky of Sri Lanka, Test cricket's world record wicket holder, Muthiah Muralitaharan wrapped up his five-day two-show fund raising tour here on a high note. Ministers from the Federal Government both in the Canadian capital of Ottawa and Toronto commended the Sri Lankan hero for his humanitarian efforts towards the underprivileged children and communities back home. Parliamentarians from the Hill also assured the Lankan superstar of a permanent spot in Canada's international cricket team and promised all their support towards his projects in the future. "Murali is our national treasure and we are all proud of our son," said Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Ottawa, Geetha de Silva who organized the felicitation dinner together with the Sri Lanka Canada Association of Ottawa, at the Delta Ottawa Hotel on Friday, October 8. Sri Lanka's Ambassador, Consular C.S. Poolokasingham sent out an SOS to Murali at the Toronto fund raiser to use his influence through sport to bring about peace in the island nation. "All Sri Lankans in Canada, be it Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Malays and Burghers will rally around you to seek peace in our motherland," Poolokasingham said to thunderous rounds of applause at the Delta Hotel in Toronto, on Saturday, October 9. Murali's fans and well wishers from all Lankan communities in Canada were confident that their sporting idol could play a major role in bringing peace to their country which has been wracked with more than 20 years of war. Murali's visit received wide coverage in the Canadian media here. The daily broadsheet Toronto Star splashed a full page headlined: Controversy: It's not cricket"...Top notch Sri Lankan bowler battles for respect and raises funds for underprivileged children...Arm defect has Australian foes all upset about Muralitharan's delivery. The Ottawa Citizen also played up the Lankan's visit while OMNI news and Asian Television Network (ATN) ran prime time specials on the world's greatest spin king. Memorabilia of the Lankan legend in the form of cricket balls, bats, tee-shirts and books went under the hammer at both shows which were well attended while his adoring fans - from school kids to adults, posed and got their autographs from the master of spin. This was Murali's first North American trip and Canada is all ready to welcome the Lankan star back with open arms. He is a shining light at the end of the tunnel to all Sri Lankans not only here in Canada but all round the world. David Kilgour, MP Edmonton-Beaumont, one of the two longest-serving MPs in the current House of Commons, David McGuinty, Ottawa South resident & Chief Executive Officer of The National Round Table on the Environment & the Economy (NRTEE) Ottawa-Canada, Maria Minna, M.P., President of Canada-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Group and Dan McTeague, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs graced the shows. Chief organiser and presenter, Ranjith Wickremasinghe of Voice of Lanka was the man behind Murali's visit to Canada with sponsors Otis & Korman, Barristers and Solicitors. The media sponsors were The Sri Lankan Anchorman and ATN. |
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