Khalil impressed with Lanka

HIRAN H. SENEWIRATNE

Meher Mohammed Khalil who was at the wheel in the coach that drove the Sri Lanka cricket team towards safety at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore when it came under attack by a group of terrorist has been attracted to Sri Lanka to the level of sending his two sons to Sri Lanka for education.

“I have observed Sri Lanka on everything and I found that Sri Lanka’s education system is very high and if the Government permits I don’t mine sending my two sons to Sri Lanka for education,” Khalil told an exclusive interview with the Daily News.

An emotional Khalil said the Sri Lankan people are friendly and he feels Sri Lanka is the best place to holiday even better than Switzerland.

He said that he would tell his friends to visit Sri Lanka to enjoy its beauty and nature.

Khalil thanked God for providing him the strength and courage to perform this act of heroism and save the Sri Lankan cricketers from total danger but whatever it is, he will continue his God-given-job, he said.

He said the whole world is grappling with terrorism and there is no point in pinpointing Pakistan alone following this single catastrophic incident. “We have to wipe out terrorism from the world,” he said.

Khalil was awarded a plaque of appreciation by Aitken Spence Director Head of Business Development and Plantations Rohan Fernando.

Dr Fernando said as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and on behalf of the country, it prompted them to invite him for a fully paid vacation as a show of gratitude in rescuing the cricketers.

He said Pakistan and Sri Lanka have a close relationship and the support provided by Pakistan in every way is commendable.

Khalil received many cash prizes for his heroic act and he said that he is living in a small house in Lahore with his wife and two daughters and two sons along with his brother-in-law and his family.