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Cricketers rally round tsunami victims
By Marlon Fernandopulle
The Sri Lankan cricketers toured the tsunami hit areas around the island to get a first hand look at the damage and destruction and uplift the spirits of the survivors following the unprecedented catastrophic that has left the nation and its people in a state of shock.

Their champion off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who is also a designated goodwill ambassador of the United Nations was first off the blocks when he visited Jaffna last week and Trincomalee earlier this week. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene joined Murali when he visited the Eastern Province.

Skipper Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas, Upul Chandana, Dilhara Fernando and Nuwan Zoysa were seen visiting the Southern towns of Galle and Matara.

After witnessing the devastation and speaking to the injured and the victims who have lost their loved ones, the cricketers are of the view that a huge effort is required to recover from this tragedy. It is on this backdrop that they teamed up with Sri Lanka Cricket to launch Cricket-Aid, the disaster assistance fund for the victims.

The Sunday Times spoke to some of the cricketers who had visited the affected areas for their views.

Be generous and contribute -Atapattu
Sri Lanka Cricket captain Marvan Atapattu appealed to the nation to be generous and contribute as he launched the disaster assistance fund in aid of victims of the tsunami.

The Lankan skipper's appeal was later followed by brief statements by five senior cricketers Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Chaminda Vaas who outlined the strategies of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) who is gearing up to raise funds.

The beach where I played is a graveyard today -Sanath
When I visited my hometown Matara I strolled down the beach and remembered how I used to play softball cricket there. Today that playing field has turned out to be graveyard with bodies all over and scattered debris. I find it difficult to imagine such a situation. Thousands have lost their lives, and even my mother was injured and had a lucky escape. I have seen all the destruction, which occurred, and the suffering people have undergone. My heart goes out to all the victims. It is time that we, as responsible citizens, respond to the call of our people.

He lost his child, but inquired how we lost to NZ -Vaas
I visited some of the refuge camps in the South and spoke to the survivors. One man related his tale of woe and said how he lost his seven-year-old daughter despite embracing her in his arms. He was sad, but quickly questioned me and asked how we lost the game in New Zealand. For a moment I couldn't imagine how a father who had lost his seven-year-old daughter was asking me about a cricket match? But that again shows how much these people care and feel for the country and us. They still have a heart to talk of cricket. We know thousands have perished, lost their loved ones and their belongings. They are our fans. They have supported us all the way; today I think it is our turn. We need to look after these people and their children and in the future too.

I visited some areas and camps in Galle and Matara. The people in these areas cannot believe what has happened to them. The tsunami has left a trail of destruction. I saw the amount of houses that have been destroyed. It's a very very sad sight. A lot of work needs to be done.

I personally feel it will take at least 2-3 years for us to help these victims to stand on their feet again. I am aware that a lot of people have come forward to help the victims. I am also happy that SLC has also planned to do a lot of work. I hope many more people will come forward and support this cause.

Three storied hospital reduced to three feet -Mahela
I visited Trincomalee and Kinniya. I must admit that Kinniya was very badly affected. The hospital we visited was a three-storied unit and that has been reduced to just 3 feet. I was told that all the Doctors, Nurses and Patients in the hospital died.

I also visited the refugee camp in Kinniya. The facilities there are a minimum. But I think at this stage that is okay. We met a lot of families who have lost their loved ones. Some of them are shocked but a few have learned to live with these shocks. They have realized that they have to get on with life. We must help these people soon.

Nilaveli was also badly hit. The hotel is wiped off. The refugee camp we visited was getting aid. It was good to see a lot of volunteers there. But I think they need more volunteers in these camps.

We also visited Batticaloa. It was one of the hardest hit places. We also went into a camp that was partially controlled by the LTTE. There was a lot of unity in this camp. Everyone is helping each other. In fact the LTTE has commended the work done by the special security forces in this camp.

Everything was flattened in the Kalkudah village. A colonel and eight soldiers also died here. Around 800 villagers lost their lives. The survivors in this village who spoke to us said that they were happy to be alive. We feel that a lot of work has to be done in these areas. It's going to take a long time for these villagers to get back to their normal life. We must do whatever is possible to expedite this process.

The damage and destruction is unbelievable -Chandana
Soon after I returned from New Zealand I traveled to Galle. What I saw on the way and in Galle was unbelievable. The damage and the destruction that the tsunami has caused in these areas is terrible. I still cannot believe that such a thing happened to our country and our people.

I still believe that as a nation we have a lot of unity and we can overcome this calamity. It's a very daunting task and it will take a lot of time but I still think we can come out of this. We all must unite in this dark hour and help our people in whatever way that is possible to come out of this tragedy.

Basic aid for survival is reaching - Sangakkara
I travelled with Murali and the World Food Programme (WFP) after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) gave us permission. I visited Batticaloa, an army camp in Kalkudah and saw with my own eyes the devastation caused by the tsunami, and it's hard to comprehend-the absolute destruction that has been caused and the amount of people that are displaced and suffering. But there are a few positives. Aid is reaching the people.

The refugees are able to at least satisfy their basic and immediate needs. I know that there are difficulties. These are still early days. For instance in some camps food is available, but there are no plates, Water is available but no cups. However the main thing is that the basic aid required for survival is reaching the refugees. There is some hope for them.

But what remains to be done is enormous. It's a huge effort. Not just today or tomorrow. It has to be sustained and I believe we need the support of the entire country to carry out this task.

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