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Murali to say 'I do' amidst a host of local and Indian celebrities
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Cricketers past and present, Politicians, Actors and arch foes Arjuna Ranatunge and Thilanga Sumathipala will be among the guests when one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated cricketers Muttiah Muralitharan says 'I do' and ties the knot with his Indian bride Mathimalar Ramamurthy in Chennai, India tomorrow.

Muttiah Muralitharan who is Sri Lankas most successful test and one-day bowler finalized his life long partner after an hour-long meeting with Mathimalar only last November, which was brokered by an Indian Actor who has been a friend of both families. Mathimalar’s family are the owners of the Malar Hospital, a multi-speciality hospital in Chennai.

Tomorrow’s wedding ceremony will be held at the Rani Meyyammai Hall in Egmore, Chennai at an auspicious time between 9.00 and 10.30 in the morning and will be followed by Cocktails and dinner on Tuesday at the Park Sheraton Hotel in Chennai.

Arjuna Ranatunge, Muttiah Muralitharan’s long standing skipper and Sri Lanka’s World cup winning captain who is now the Deputy Minister of Tourism will sign as the witness for the wedding. Ranatunge’s cabinet colleague Dr Sarath Amunugama who is the Minister of Finance and a close associate of the Muralitharan family is also expected to be at the wedding.

Despite a tight schedule for the Sri Lankan Cricketers, most of them including skipper Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas,Upul Chandana and Kumar Sangakkara along with their wives are expected at the wedding on Tuesday and will return the next day as they will be flying to New Zealand on Thursday.

Indian cricketers were also expected but with the second test against Pakistan in progress none of the present cricketers will be present. However past cricketers like Kapil Dev, Robin Singh and a few others will be present. Leading politicians from Tamil Nadu including DMK's Karunanandhi and actors who are friends of the Ramamurthy family are among the list of invitees expected to grace the occasion.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) President elect Thilanga Sumathipala who only recently openly criticized the organizing of the Murali-Warne Charity dinner by the Murali-Gunasekera-Vaas foundation is also scheduled to attend the wedding. Sumathipala’s aspersion on the charity dinner drew stinging reactions from Muralitharan as well as Arjuna Ranatunge, one of the attendees at the charity function and an arch rival and critic of the former Cricket Board President.Current SLC President Mohan de Silva CEO Duleep Mendis and manager of the cricket team Brendon Kuruppu are also scheduled to attend.

Meawhile Channa Wijemane Director George Steuarts Travels, a leading travel agent in Sri Lanka confirmed that his company has finalized travel plans for over 150 persons from Sri Lanka for the wedding in Chennai and that includes Murali’s relations, friends and Business Associates.

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