During PM Narendra Modi’s recent two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, he met with the victorious 1996 ICC World Cup-winning cricket team, including legendary cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya. The team presented a memento to PM Modi as a tribute to their shared cricketing heritage and friendship.
However, it was Sanath Jayasuriya, now the head coach of the Sri Lankan national team, who took the opportunity to express gratitude and make a heartfelt request.
While thanking PM Modi for the Indian government’s support during Sri Lanka’s tumultuous civil war, Jayasuriya highlighted a significant issue. “When we had unrest, problems in Sri Lanka, you and the government helped us a lot. We are always grateful to you for helping Sri Lanka,” he remarked, acknowledging the long-standing ties between the two nations.
Sanath Jayasuriya urged PM Modi to assist in bringing international cricket to Jaffna, a district in northern Sri Lanka that has remained untouched by major cricket fixtures.
ALSO READ: Team India Home Schedule for 2025
“As the coach of Sri Lanka, we play all over Sri Lanka except Jaffna. If India can help us to bring international grounds to Jaffna, it would greatly aid the people in Jaffna and the Northern and Eastern provinces,” he stated.
His request is not simply about cricket; it reflects the deeper social implications embedded in the sport. Jaffna has a significant Sri Lankan Tamil population and has faced immense challenges during the civil war, which resulted in the loss of approximately 100,000 lives.
By developing international cricket in Jaffna, Sanath Jayasuriya believes it could play a crucial role in uplifting the community and fostering a sense of hope and unity.
FOLLOW US ON OUR FB PAGE
In a country where cricket acts as a unifying force, Jayasuriya’s appeal to PM Modi could pave the way for renewed development in Jaffna, illustrating how the sport has the power to bridge divides and heal communities.
