Sri Lankan Patriots congratulate Lankan cricketers

LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles-based Sri Lankan Patriots, a leading West Coast expatriate organisation that actively engages in upholding Sri Lankan sovereignty and opposing the LTTE lobby, said the cricket team’s conduct and achievements mirrored the nation’s axiom of playing by the rules while resisting overshadowing international pressures.

“Never shall we be overcome through terror or undue and coerced influence of irrational internationals that aspire to bring our nation under their wing,” the group said in a congratulatory message to the team which stormed in to the coveted World Cricket Cup finals to be played against Australia today in Barbados.

On April 20, the organisation demonstrated opposite the Amnesty International’s (AI) office in LA against the AI’s intended ball campaign to discredit the Sri Lankan Government’s alleged poor human rights record, amidst a fierce confrontation with the LTTE.

The “Sri Lankan Patriots” of California, USA congratulated Mahela Jayawardana and the rest of the team for their splendid achievement in reaching the finals of the 2007 World Cup.

“The team has exemplified the great heights that can be reached through hard work, determination, and the will to succeed,” a release said.

It added: “They have brought our nation great pride by the cohesive effort invested in the long journey to success an d are a symbol of the national amity, brotherhood and the determination of our Sri Lankan people to succeed as a true nation.

They have shown the international organisations, which insisted on obedience to even errant umpires, that they can obey and win by the rules.

As exemplified by our cricketers, we can also accept defeat and uphold the letter and spirit of the rules, if the opponent is worthy of victory.

Congratulations once again cricketers, we are with you in your victory and defeat, for your journey personifies that of our nation’s arduous path towards progress.”