Murali Harmony Cup Unity Tour to UK

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The Foundation of Goodness confirmed on Friday that it is organising a Murali Harmony Cup Unity Tour to the United Kingdom in June.

The Unity Squad includes exceptionally talented U19 cricketers from 14 different schools island-wide, including seven boys from previously war-affected areas in the North and East.

The young cricketers were invited to participate in the tour after their outstanding performances during the 2013 Murali Harmony Cup initiated by Sir Ian Botham.

The Unity Tour, designed to showcase Sri Lanka’s cultural diversity while promoting nation-building and reconciliation, will depart for the UK on 9 June and play three matches against top English schools.

The 50-over limited overs matches will be played against Emanuel School (11 June), Eton College (12 June) and Oundle College (15 June).

The 14-member squad will be captained by all-rounder Janith Liyanage from St. Peter’s College and vice-captain is Paramanatham Thuvarakaseelan from St. John’s Jaffna.

Organised with the kind assistance of Sarah Botham of Solo Events, the 8-day tour has been sponsored by Sri Lankan Airlines, the Beefy Foundation, MAS, Tesco and Hameedia’s.

The tour will include an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Lord’s and watch the third day of the Sri Lanka v England Test match following an invitation from the Marylebone Cricket Club.

The British High Commissioner H.E. Mr. John Rankin hosted a farewell tea for the Unity Team on Friday 6 June prior to their departure to the UK.  He said “sport is a universally unifying factor, bringing together young people who share the same dreams, aspirations and hope. As they head off to the UK, the Unity Team will discover that they have much in common with their British counterparts. Youth to youth contacts like this are the future of UK-Sri Lanka relations. I wish the team all the very best on their tour.

Unity Squad

Janith Liyanage (St Peter’s College, Colombo) – Captain

Paramanatham Thuvarakaseelan (St. John’s College, Jaffna) – Vice Captain

Ravin Sayer (Trinity College, Kandy)

Manokaran Dikshan (Central College, Batticaloa)

Nowfar Aslam (Kinniya Central College, Trincomalee District)

Jeyekumar Thannushan (Hindu College, Kilinochchi)

Arokkiyanathan Vinoshan (Vidiyananda College, Mullaitivu)

Puvirasasingham Haribavan (Siththivinayar College, Mannar)

Kanagaratnam Thanushan (Tamil MMV, Vavuniya)  

Kaveesh Dilranga (Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda)

Roshen Fernando (St Sebastian’s College, Katuneriya)

Kasun Weeranga (Anuradhapura Central College)

Sudesh Indunil (Nissanka MV, Monaragala)

Dilshan Kanchana (Devapathiraja College, Ratgama)

Team Manager – Anura de Silva

Assistant Manager – Sriyan Chaminda de Silva

About the Murali Harmony Cup

The Murali Harmony Cup is a reconciliation and community-building Twenty20 cricket tournament played annually featuring U19 schoolboys and U23 women cricketers designed to promote unity, goodwill, teamwork, the spirit of fair play and, more importantly, service to disadvantaged rural communities.  Started in 2012, this year’s third edition will be played in October-November 2014.