Sanga pays glowing tribute to Khalil

Chris Dhambarage

Sri Lanka new captain Kumar Sangakkara paid a glowing tribute to Meher Mohammad Khalil who was the hero in Lahore, during a felicitation ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Headquarters in Maitland Place on Monday.

Khalil was the driver of the coach that drove the Sri Lankan cricket team to safety when they came under terrorist fire on March 3 in Lahore, Pakistan.

Sangakkara said that Khalil’s quick thinking and prompt action saved the lives of many while reminding the sacrifices made by the security personnel on that day with deep regrets.

May I extend the deepest condolences to their families and relatives. I would like to say a big thank you and express our deepest gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives in Lahore so that others may live.

Sangakkara said that they were able to experience something which they have never dreamt of and wanted to say a big thank you for Khalil and his family members. In Lahore last month, we experienced something that we never dreamt of. Our belief that after post 1972 Munich a sports team would not be attacked by terrorists were shattered,”

Sangakkara said that a lot of things have happened since that incident and many have helped them in different ways and wanted to thank everyone who helped them. The journey from Lahore to Colombo has been a rollercoaster and there have been various people who have helped us to do what we are doing today

First of all I would like to thank the doctors who took care of Thilan Samaraweera, Tharanga Paranavithana and Ajantha Mendis who were the most injured and for helping them to return back from Pakistan with the rest of us.

We would like to thank the medical team who responded immediately and promptly and for treating us in the dressing room in Lahore.

We would like to thank the Government of Pakistan and the Air Force of Pakistan especially for airlifting us and guiding us safely and offering us accommodation in their Base and making sure that we caught the plane on time.

We would like to thank President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his prompt action in providing us the necessary facilities and transport to come back home safely and for Srilankan Airlines for diverting an aircraft to Lahore and to doctor Pinto and his medical staff.

Sangakkara also thanked Dr. Geethanjan Mendis who came on that flight to make sure that the players received the best medical treatment during the flight and after. He also thanked Nawaloka Hospital and Jayantha Dharmadasa for providing them with the best medical facilities.

To The Art of Living Institute in Bangalore we say a thank you for taking care and helping us in no small way to reach some sort of normalcy in both physically and mentally.

And finally a big thank you to Meher Khalil. In a world that has gone mad in thirst for war and domination, when we were attacked by the terrorists, who had brought so many different types of weapons, we are here today thanks to one unarmed man, who had no military expertise.

Khalil you are an example of the triumph for human spirit. We also thank Mrs. Khalil. All of us who are married know that wives play no small part in holding us to who we are today. And we thank you for being his life partner.

We thank you that your children, grand children and their children will look at Khalil not as a hero of that day but a shining example to the World of what love, courage, generosity can stand against all evil, terrorism and violence.

His courage and his quick thinking saved so many of us. We will always have a special place for you in our hearts,” concluded Sangakkara.