Northern and Eastern cricketers make history
View(s):Making history in the annals of local sports, a Twenty20 cricket match was held between a combined school team from Sri Lanka’s 
Northern and Eastern provinces against the visiting Ferntree Gully District Cricket Association from Melbourne and the Australian Hellenic Federation Combined cricket team. The match was played at the Kilinochchi Central College ground.
The Kilinochchi Central College playground was packed to capacity with schoolchildren, sports enthusiasts and the general public, who had come in large numbers to witness this historic event. Having won the toss, the host team opted to bat first and piled up a strong total of 174 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs. A.L. Nadeeshan’s knock of fifty contributed immensely to the local team’s victory as 
the visiting Australians were routed for a mere 104 runs in just 19 overs. Thus the hosts won the match by 70 runs at this historic occasion. Well-executed bowling and excellent fielding by the local lads led to the downfall of the young Australians. It was a show of emerging young talent from the once war ravaged North and East.
During the cricket encounter 84 schoolchildren from Kilinochchi received brand new bicycles from the Foundation of Goodness through the generous contribution of national cricketer Kumar Sangakkara. The North- East combined cricket team members were also awarded a bicycle each making it a total of 100 two-wheelers. The victory over the visiting young Australian cricket team was so significant that it inspired new hopes and dreams in the hearts and 
minds of thousands of youths in the former conflict zone.
It was a historic and victorious moment not only for the young cricketers but also for the people of the North and East. This single event stands as testimony to the enduring desire, unmatched courage and mental robustness of the people of Sri Lanka 
to meet the challenges in life with positivity and their ability to be victorious in the end. It is also an indication that normalcy and peace has dawned on Sri Lanka and the people of the North and East are at last privileged to join mainstream society and live with dignity and pride.
It was also a moment of joy and happiness for all the security forces personnel in Kilinochchi. It was the military troops in Kilinochchi who organised the colorful cricket match under the leadership of Kilinochchi Security Forces Commander Major General Udaya Perera with the assistance of the Foundation of Goodness. – NA
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