On the field, I’m a cricketer, not a politician - Jayasuriya

Gros Islet (St Lucia): “On the field, I’m a cricketer, not a politician, so there’s no conflict,” is how Sanath Jayasuriya responded to calls from some quarters that he end his career as a sportsman.

The 40-year-old, who started his Sri Lanka innings just weeks after Sachin Tendulkar’s November 15, 1989 beginning, got elected to Parliament last month.

“I’m thankful to the people of Matara... I was busy with cricket, but they stood by me... My mother (Breeda) and brother (Chandana) did all the hard work... They did the campaigning on my behalf,” Jayasuriya told.

Jayasuriya, who won on the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance ticket, is the second cricketer in Sri Lanka, after the 1996 World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, to enter Parliament.

They haven’t met after the elections, though.

“It feels good to be in Parliament... This, obviously, is a very different pitch... But, then, I’m passionate about everything I do,” Jayasuriya said.

Having quit Test cricket after 110 appearances (6,973 runs, 14x100), Jayasuriya is now focusing on the ODIs (13,428 runs in 444 matches, 28x100) and T20 Internationals.

“I’m looking to play till the 2011 World Cup, let’s see how things go... I don’t take my place for granted and, so, I’ll have to keep performing and stay fit,” Jayasuriya pointed out.

Laughing, Jayasuriya added: “The people, in fact, want me to play till the World Cup... One reason, perhaps, being that Sri Lanka is one of the hosts... It’s going to be a big event for us and, yes, the expectations will also be big.”

Once through with cricket, what exactly will he do?

“Give all my time to the people... They expect me to deliver and I can’t let them down. I think, through my cricket, I’ve given joy to the people... As a Parliamentarian, I have the chance to actually work for them,” Jayasuriya maintained.

Jayasuriya, incidentally, refused to stick his neck out and predict who’d win the ongoing World Twenty20. “In this format, any team can beat the other... It’s hard to even guess,” he signed off.

The veteran should know — his franchise, the Mumbai Indians, topped the league stage of IPL III, but still lost in the final, to the Chennai Super Kings.

Jayasuriya star attraction at T20 World Cup 2010

First assignment after becoming an MP in Sri Lanka’s parliament

Sanath Jayasuriya has a tendency to set up records both on the field as well as out of it. His a latest record is that he will become the first Member of Parliament to ‘don’ pads and bat in the forthcoming T20 World Cup to be played in the West Indies starting on April 30.

Last Thursday when he walked into Parliament at the opening ceremony, he was given a rousing welcome by all Parliamentarians acknowledging his great achievement in the field of cricket. Sanath Jayasuriya, newest sensation is in politics in Sri Lanka.

It was one of the best things that happened to me in 1988 when I won the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in the Outstation Section,” said Jayasuriya.

“That’s an experience I will never forget. It was a good achievement and it is still in my memory.

“That was the stepping stone for me, to continue playing the game. I must thank the Observer a lot for giving the Matara schools and school cricket the much needed push”. Jayasuriya said playing for St. Servatius College, Matara brought him immense joy. The Matara stalwart said that the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest should not be the end, but the beginning of better things to follow when playing in big company as against the top - notch cricketers from other countries.

A contest of this nature means a lot to young cricketers. When I was picked as the Best Outstation Cricketer in 1988, it gave me a lot of satisfaction and spurred me on and I am what I am now, because of inter-school cricket and the encouragement it gave me,” Jayasuriya said. Jayasuriya said that ANCL and the SUNDAY OBSERVER should continue with the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest to unearth talent from the outstation schools in the years to come.

(Source)

Jayasuriya takes oath in Sri Lankan Parliament

Apr 22, Colombo (Sanath Jayasuriya Blogspot): The newest members of the parliament, veteran cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya, Namal Rajapaksa, and Prof. Rajiva Wijesinghe took oaths along with the seasoned members at the first session of the 7th Parliament.

(Pictures by Nalin Hewapathirana and Chandana Perera)

Jayasuriya wins Parliamentary Elections from Matara

According to the results declared by the Department of elections, Srilanka - Sanath Jayasuriya has won the parliamentary general election under the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) from his native Matara district.

Earlier Sanath Jayasuriya was allowed to cast his vote a day before as he had IPL commitments in India.

More report to follow..

Jayasuriya casts his vote a day ahead of elections

Apr 07, Matara: Sri Lanka cricketer and ruling party candidate for Matara District, Sanath Jayasuriya cast his vote for the General Elections in Matara today (7) after receiving special permission from the Elections Commissioner.

He cast his vote a day before the general election, as he has to travel overseas to participate in the IPL cricket tournament.

Jayasuriya cast a postal vote at the Matara District Secretary's office. Under Clause 20C of the Parliamentary Elections Act, the vote would be considered a postal vote.

Sanath Jayasuriya Sports Development Fund launched by President Rajapaksa

Apr 01, Matara: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday launched a sports development fund in honor of Sri Lanka's legendary batsman and ruling party candidate for Matara, cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya.

Launching the Sanath Jayasuriya Sports Development Fund at a ceremony Matara Sanath Jayasuriya Ground yesterday, the President said it is intended for the welfare of the youth in the country.

The President said the government has focused on the universities, technical colleges, and vocational training institutes which will assist to mould a future generation of youth who can fit into any role in the world. He promised to create a strong future generation with the development of the country.

At the meeting the chief organizer for the opposition UNP party in Hakmana, Indika Jayathunga crossed over to the ruling UPFA and pledged to support the government's development plan.

Cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya and Minister Dullas Alahapperuma were also present at the event.

Jayasuriya not first, but questions galore

Sanath Jayasuriya is not the first cricketer to enter into politics while still playing. The former England captain Ted Dexter continued playing for the country having contested for the Conservatives, and losing, in the UK general election in 1964.

And the legendry England cricketer, footballer and holder of world long-jump record C. B. Fry stood, unsuccessfully, for the Liberal Party three times.

But Jayasuriya, who holds many cricket world records may be on his way to creating another one. He will be the only cricketer ever to have played international cricket while being an MP.

Jayasuriya's decision to run in April's parliamentary elections has also created fresh controversy in the cricket loving nation.

Sri Lankan Sports Minister, Gamini Lokuge, told the BBC Sinhala service that even every member of the national cricket team has a right to be a parliamentarian while playing international cricket.

"We are not concerned whether they are parliamentarians or not. If they are qualified and still playing cricket, they all have the opportunity to play for the country."

"They all can be MPs but they should attend practice sessions and obey the rules of the game," he adds.

Jayasuriya who had retired from Test cricket said he would continue playing one-day internationals (ODIs) representing Sri Lanka and in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"Since I am not playing Test Cricket, I will have enough time for politics," he said.

Speaking to the BBC Tamil service Jayasuriya said: "I have already campaigned for the president in the last elections. He requested me to contest this election."

Sri Lanka's former Test captain Arjuna Ranatunga said about Jayasuriya’s decision to enter politics while still playing. "Jayasuriya is in the last stages of his career and we know very well that he currently holds no permanent place in the team”."Jayasuriya has indicated that he would continue to play until the 2011 World Cup, so as he has currently no permanent place, perhaps he might be trying to use his political influence to get a permanent place in the team, " says Ranatunga.

Sri Lanka's only woman Olympic medallist, Susanthika Jayasinghe, is another sports personality contesting the parliamentary election.

Jayasinghe claimed that she was invited to enter into politics a few years ago but she refused.

"Then I could not chose one political party over another as I was representing my motherland and I needed everybody's blessings for that journey," she said.

Legal experts say there is nothing in the law to prevent sports personalities from contesting elections while playing for the country.

But a former chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises, Wijedasa Rajapaksa, PC, said it was "unfortunate" that Jayasuriya had decided to break a long-standing tradition of sports personalities not being involved in politics while still active in sport.

Some critics also say the sports minister's decision to support Jayasuriya appears to contradict some of the choices he has made in the past.

They point to the time when the minister rejected a proposal by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to appoint former Test captain Hashan Thilakaratne, currently an opposition politician, as the manager of the team.

"The same minister then rejected Hashan's nomination saying he should either chose sports or politics," says Arjuna Ranathunga, who was the then president of the SLC.

Minister Lokuge says he still holds the same view regarding the issue.

"Jaysuriya is a player but Thilakratne was to be appointed as the manager who controls the team. If we appoint a politician as the manager of the national cricket team, he might have been biased towards one political party," he says.

“The apparent duplicity in authorities' views is an indication of the direction the country is heading in”, said Wijedasa Rajapaka.

"If Jayasuriya was to contest from an opposition political party while playing for the country, he would have been shown the door from the team on the same day. This is the reality in Sri Lanka.", said Rajapaksa.

Best of Luck, Sanath - You served cricket – Dedicate yourself to serve the country

"From the age of nine years, he used to play tennis ball cricket with the neighbouring children. This became a problem for me, as this child used to rocket the ball and deposit it in the adjoining Temple premises, by hoisting "sixers". The kind hearted Nayaka Thera, tolerated all this. I thought that it is not proper to disturb the Nayaka Hamuduruwo. So, I sent him for Under-11 cricket practices at St. Xervatius College."

These sentiments were expressed sometime back to me by Mrs. Breeda Jayasuriya, the beloved mother of Sanath Tehran Jayasuriya.

The tiny tot, Sanath, who deposited "sixers" at the Temple premises then, presently holds the One Day International world record for sixers by recording 270 sixers during his career, at all the world famous international cricket arenas, playing in 444 matches, and 432 innings. He collected 13,328 runs and remained unbeaten on 18 occasions. His highest ODI score is 189. He has an average of 32.43 and a strike rate of 91.22, with 28 centuries and 68 half centuries with 1500 hits to the ropes. As an outstanding fielder, he has held 123 catches in this ‘Cow-Boy Game’.



In his Test cricket career, Sanath whacked 59 sixers, and 910 boundaries. He played in 110 Tests, and in 188 innings, he remained unbeaten 14 times, collected 6973 runs. His highest score was 340. I had the fortune of commentating during this record-breaking innings at the R. Premadasa Stadium in 1997.

He made 14 centuries and 31 half centuries in his his Test career. Further, he held 78 catches.

He bowled 8188 balls, gave away 3366 runs and captured 98 wickets in his Test career. Further, in his ODI career, he bowled 14,838 balls, gave away 11,825 runs and captured 322 wickets.

I always highly appreciated his sterling, charming qualities and his fighting spirit. I have been following his unique and epic career right throughout. For a moment, I think cricket is a ‘Sansaragatha Puruddak’ in the sojourn of ‘Samsara’. He is undoubtedly a born cricketer. He is the most feared batsmen in the world - he mauled many bowlers in the world.

Today, Matara and Sanath Jayasuriya is synonymous, inseperable. It’s like treacle and honey of Ruhuna.

I always witnessed leadership qualities in him. He always put country before self. He is a simple, unassuming village lad. He respects his parents, teachers and elders and is very religious. In fact, his ‘Pirith Noola’ symbolises Buddhism and culture and his firm belief.

Sanath took up the captaincy in 1999 after the ‘Arjuna Ranatunga debacle’ at the World Cup 1999 in England. Sanath was never a haughty or head-strong character. He is loved by everyone.

Today, he has entered into a new lane - politics. He is contesting from the Matara District. I am positive that he will maul his opponents in his own inimitable style. He is quite capable of doing it.

I must congratulate His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa, for nominating him and giving an opportunity to Sanath to contest from his home base of Matara. This village lad will always remember his roots and he will always put country before self.

My memory goes back to 9th March 1996, when I commentated from Faisalabad on the England-Sri Lanka World Cup quarter final. I really enjoyed the swashbuckling innings of Sanath Jayasuriya. He blasted the Englishmen and scored 82 blistering runs in just 44 balls. For a moment, I felt sorry for the English attack. They looked liked merely pedestrians. The 100,000 spectators who watched this encounter at Faisalabad will forever remember this ‘massacre’.

Probably, Sanath Jayasuriya will play his normal game on 8th April 2010, and the grateful people of Matara District, will make Sanath - Man of the Match in this great battle, and strengthen the hands of our President, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa.

I draw your attention to a ‘box story’ carried on 10th March 1996 in Pakistan’s English daily - Dawn. The headline read; ‘Has Sanath fixed a spring inside his magical bat?" The writer of Dawn translated this story from an Urudu Daily ‘Jung’. The way that Sanath pummelled the English attack at Faisalabad was unbelievable. The poor Englishmen would have thought for a moment, why on earth did we introduce cricket to Ceylon in the good old days.

In presume, Sanath in his new game will maul and thrash his opponents right royally. For many of his opponents, Sanath’s ‘innings’ at his pocket burrow - Matara, on April 8th, will be their swan song.

One of the innings that is etched in my memory is the one he played against India, at Kotla. In that match Sanath scored 79 runs, at almost a run a ball. What was the outcome of this match? At the conclusion of the World Cup 1996, the Indian opening bowler, who was really blasted by Sanath Jayasuriya, gave up his cricket career. It was Jayasuriya who pushed the Indian opening bowler Manoj Prabhakar to Indian politics.

At the conclusion of the World Cup 1996, Sanath jayasuriya earned the title ‘Most Valuable Player’. Don’t be surprised, if after the conclusion of ‘2010 battle’, Sanath will earn another title - ‘Man of the Match - Matara District’.

I still remember, his 111 against New Zealand in Napier, Maclean Park, when he associated with Upul Tharanga, another Southerner, in the ODI series in New Zealand. In this match, they were associated in a partnership of over 200 runs for the first wicket and Sanath’s contribution was 111 runs with five sixers and 14 hits to the ropes.

He made his Test debut against New Zealand in Hamilton on February 22 in 1991. His last Test was against England at Kandy from December 1-5, in 2009.

I commentated when he scored his epic 300 plus against India played at R. Premadasa Stadium in 1997.

Born on June 30, 1969, in Kotuwegoda, Matara, his beloved parents are Dunstan Jayasuriya and Breeda Jayasuriya. His elder brother is Chandana Srinath Jayasuriya. He learned his basics in cricket from Lionel Wagasinghe and Gratien Liyanage. The then Principal at St. Servatius, Mr. Galappati and the staff-members, old-boys and well-wishes were a tower of inspiration to Sanath Jayasuriya.

The major teams Sanath has represented are - Sri Lanka, Asia XI, Bloomfield C and AC, Colombo Cricket Club, Dolphins, MCC, Mumbai Indians, Ruhuna and Somerset. He is a left-hand bat and slow left arm orthodox bowler.

In 1996, Sri Lanka did not annex the Wills World Cup on 17 March 1996 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan, purely because of the ‘Matara Mauler’, ‘Master Blaster’, unassuming southerner Sanath jayasuriya. But I am positive that they could not have lifted the Trophy without Jayasuriya and that great all-rounder and batting artist, Aravinda De Silva, who scored 107 n.o. No doubt, it was a brilliant team effort.

The gentle Sanath Jayasuriya, although he has harmed many international bowlers of repute, is a perfectionist. He takes up challenges and is committed to his job. He spends many hours in the gymnasium and he is as fit as a fiddle.

Once Shane Warne said that his hand was so strong that "his handshake could crush a walnut."

Sanath not only turned ODI cricket up side down. He also opened the gates to outstation cricketing talents of Sri Lanka to blossom. He was never jealous and never had private agendas. He always gave opportunities to deserving cricketers.

Some day when the cricket chronicle of Sri Lanka is written, his name will be written in Gold as the man who crushed the so-called ‘Colombo elite schools’. His leadership was democratic. Jayasuriya served commendably, as Sri Lanka’s cricket captain after Arjuna Ranatunga was sacked in 1999 and Sanath Jayasuriya built a happy and united team.

He had the distinction of producing the fastest century and fifty. Singapore was the scene. Sanath broke the record for the fastest ODI century and fifty within six days.

Married to Sandra, that charming epitome of womanhood, they are blessed with sweet daughters, Savindi, Yalindi and son Ranuk. Sanath’s wife Sandra is the wind behind this cricketer turned politician.

Sanath - Obata, Ratata, Suba Anagathayak!

History awaits Sanath Jayasuriya

Sanath Teran Jayasuriya, known as the ‘ Master Blaster’ or the ‘Matara Mauler’ is no doubt god’s gift to the game. From the time he was knee high to a bat at St. Servatius College, Matara, big run making came naturally to him.

His natural promise began to grow and representative honours was not long in coming. He first served notice when he toured Pakistan with the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team and reeled off two double centuries.

That was his launching pad and since then has mesmerized the cricket world with his unbelievable and amazing stroke play with the willow that has made everyone watch in awe and applaud his brilliance.

Records came naturally to him and now he is in line to create another world record when he becomes a Member of Parliament from Matara in the coming General Election.


Sporting the cap of the UPFA gifted to him by the sports loving and promoting President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he will now take his stance and strike it rich for his party. President Rajapaksa has the god given ability to spot a winner, and in Jayasuriya he has certainly picked an easy winner.

Jayasuriya’s next record will come when he takes the field for Sri Lanka at the next 50 over World Cup tournament to be conducted in the sub-continent as a Member of Parliament. He will be the first in the world to do so. He has promised to make his bat do the talking by scoring heavily and then taking his rightful place in the team.

[VIDEO] Sanath Jayasuriya - Political speech

Jayasuriya cleared for politics and sport

Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya has been cleared by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board to play cricket while engaging in his political campaign to contest the upcoming General Elections.

Sri Lanka Cricket spokesman Nishantha Ranatunga confirmed to Daily Mirror online that the cricketer has been given the green light to engage in politics while remaining a contracted cricketer. (ISA)

[PICS] Jayasuriya election Rally in Matara

Sri Lanka’s master blaster, cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya is seen here greeting his political supporters in Matara today. Jayasuriya recently announced he was going to contest the upcoming General Elections from the Matara district for the UPFA. 

Pic by Krishan Jayaruk (Daily Mirror)

Jayasuriya to balance sport with politics

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya will embark on a political career by taking part in the upcoming parliamentary polls on April 8.

Jayasuriya is seeking to become a Member of Parliament under the ruling coalition United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in the south coast district of Matara, his hometown.

Jayasuriya is seeking to become a Member of Parliament under the ruling coalition United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in the south coast district of Matara, his hometown.

The 40-year-old was recently dropped from the Sri Lanka ODI team but he has no plans to end his cricketing career despite his entry into politics.

“I have no plans to retire from international cricket at this stage as I believe I can successfully balance the workload of playing for Sri Lanka while also serving the people of Matara as an MP,” Jayasuriya said on Thursday.

“It has been an honour representing Sri Lanka on the cricket field during the past 21 years and after careful consideration I believe now is the right time for me to serve the people of Matara.”

Jayasuriya’s marathon international cricket career started in 1989 and has spanned 110 Tests and a record 444 one-day internationals.

Sanath Jayasuriya’s ‘Devani Meheyuma’ - The 2nd Innings

Will Sanath Jayasuriya become the first MP to play cricket for Sri Lanka, that too in a Cricket World Cup? Here he is seen addressing a political rally last month in support of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. (Files)

"I don’t’ have a soft, soothing voice. My voice is rough. I don’t look handsome. I think I’m ugly. I’m not a tall chap but a very diminutive man. Therefore why shouldn’t I be happy about what I’ve achieved in this field?"

- Sunil Perera, local pop music icon and founder of the pop band ‘Gypsies’

Sanath Jayasuriya became ‘Sanath Jayasuriya’ through a lifelong journey across the unknown. A rollercoaster ride of a ‘simple man’ from Matara in the eyes of the most erudite, Jayauriya had to fashion his own destiny through sheer passion, grit and vigour. Luck, though, must have played a great role, as many would argue, in shaping his fascinating life story.

Now, one can imagine Sanath Jayasuriya, dressed in a national costume, walking into parliament next April. It was only last Tuesday (Feb. 16), that he confirmed that he will be contesting from Matara for the April 8 Parliamentary Elections. Critics believe he will win a parliamentary seat. Then will he instead wear western attire unlike his predecessor in politics, Arjuna Ranatunga? And there is yet another interesting thing to look forward to. Will he become the first MP to play cricket for Sri Lanka, that too in a Cricket World Cup? (One is coming up here in Asia soon.) As the political front predicts his definite entry into the legislature, cricket soothsayers say he will make a grand comeback into the Lankan team as well!

Daring dreams

Who had ever thought that this dark and chunky ‘pol adi’ hitter by the Matara beaches would one day become a trend-setter in the art of cricket batting in the world? Who had in his/her wildest dreams could have predicted in the mid 1980s – when only Colombo-based players held sway in local cricket — that this ordinary man from a far off southern town could become Sri Lanka’s most successful cricket captain? Who thought this bashful, inert and soft-spoken youngster would one day become a celebrity in the entire sub-continent.

His story, the ‘Sana’ saga, doesn’t stop there. Last year he became Sri Lanka’s longest serving international cricketer of the post-Test era. His continued stay in the cricket field later on was frowned upon by many a critic, and at the same time, loved probably by a majority of the ordinary folk, his long time fans.

It was noteworthy that Jayasuriya’s last four, five years in cricket fell parallel to an extremely prospective era for the Southerners in Sri Lanka, simply due to the emergence of the giant figure of Mahinda Rajapaksa. President Rajapaksa, who probably chronicles the grandest adventure of local politics of our times, is one who emerged from the deep South Medamulana to ‘invade’ prestigious Temple Trees, defying age old political traditions.

The affable ‘Sana’ has begun his ‘Deveni Meheyuma’ (Second Operation). Jayasuriya, by his entry into politics will probably turn a new leaf in life. Or else, he will give his support to his beloved state leader by collecting a mega number of votes for the President’s party from his electorate.

On the other hand, in this country where someone like Anarkali Akarsha polled in grand numbers to enter the Southern Provincial Council only recently, what’s the point in asking for any political background, useful knowledge and experience before taking to politics? In Asia (maybe even in the US), politics is a forum for tears, blood, bullets, worship and religion and both masters and the amateur stay alive with equal prospects; star and the flop, both…in Sri Lanka, how can it differ?


(Source)

Sanath Jayasuriya to contest election from Matara

Sri Lanka’s master blaster Sanath Jayasuriya is to contest to the upcoming General Elections under the UPFA ticket from the Matara district. Speaking to Daily Mirror online UPFA sources said that he will hand over his application papers to contest the polls soon.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka Cricket sources said that Jayasuriya will need clearance from the Sri Lankan Cricket Board in order to contest while playing cricket.

When contacted by Daily Mirror online Jayasuriya confirmed that he has been invited by the UPFA to contest the polls but did not wish to comment further as he is still a contracted cricketer.

Factor of “Sanath Jayasuriya” in the Political Arena

Sanath Teran Jayasuriya-a Master Blaster can be considered as Youth icon ,celebrity and “a man coming with village and did(still doing) Miracles in the world of cricket”.

Sri Lankans go crazy whenever the “Matara Mauler” walks into the pitch.He used to hold a very distinctive record almost never to be achieved by a single cricket player. He held the fastest fifty (against Pakistan 17 balls) and fastest 150 (against England in 95 balls) in ODI cricket.

The most enchanting moment of Master Blaster Jayasuriya’s career was in 1996 when Sri Lanka team emerged champions of the World Cup tournament in the sub continent, beating Australia by seven wickets in the final played in Lahore on March 17, 1996. Jayasuriya had a rich harvest during the 1996 World Cup to be adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

This efforts won him the prestigious Wisden Cricketer of the Year award the following year.In Test also He Scored 6973 runs with one triple century, three double centuries, 14 centuries and 31 fifties. His highest score was 340 against India in Premadasa Stadium,Sri Lanka.

People do admiring Sanath not only because of his batting but because he stands as “Sana from matara”. The uniqueness in Jayasuriya’s exemplary career has been his humbleness. Though he is the only player to score more than 13,000 runs and capture more than 300 wickets in one day internationals, he is still the very same Jayasuriya who used to travel to Colombo by bus from Matara with his heavy cricket baggage during the early part of his career.

Why “Sanath Jayasuriya” factor is important in this time? People will say because of his cricket. Yes. But more importantly he indeed can be considered as a cricketer of a “common man” Who came from the village. Why rural sector is importance? Rural sector represented the 75% of the population in Sri Lanka. So the ratio between rural and urban is 75:25! Some argued that this time the village will be the decisive factor to win the election.

As a celebrity Sanath can be considered as most famous figure throughout the world. Especially young cricketers try to imitate the unique batting style of Sanath which can be considered as “Sanath’s special”. Even in india still some people know Sri Lanka because of Jayasuriya!!”.He is the first cricketer to be appointed as a UN Goodwill Ambassador (by UNAIDS, Geneva) for his commitment to prevention of HIV/AIDS among young people in Sri Lanka .If you type Sanath Jayasuriya in Google(one of the popular search engine in the internet) you can find out 273,000 pages as result!

Cricketers supporting to particular political parties is not uncommon in South Asian countries. In Sri Lanka we got players like Arjuna Rantunga, Hashan Thillakarathne etc. Arjuna’s entry into politics was not a miracle .He is from the family (family of Ranatunga) is famous for politics. In India also we can see players like Navjot Singh Sidhu (who was elected to the Lok Sabha as the member from Amritsar in 2004 on a BJP ticket; he later resigned, following his conviction for culpable homicide, however the Supreme Court of India stayed his conviction. He successfully contested the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, defeating his Congress rival, State Finance Minister Surinder Singla, by 77,626 votes).

Ex-captain Mohammad Azharuddin, is also presently a member of Indian parliament. He represents the Moradabad constituency of Uttar Pradesh and is a member of the Indian National Congress.

World cup wining captain of Pakistan, Imran Khan can be considered as most influential politician who played cricket in the last decades. Khan founded and became the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice), a small and marginal political party, of which he is the only member ever elected to Parliament. He represented Mianwali as a member of the National Assembly from November 2002 to October 2007.

Some people like to draw parallel between Imran and Arjuna because both of them can be considered as world-cup wining captains. But some political analysts were in the view that that both were already failed in politics (anyway this was subject to certain arguments).

Cricket is always like a religion in countries like Sri Lanka. Players like Sanath can be considered as opinion leaders for the fans as well as for the general public. He has an edge over others because of his unique style, approach and humbleness, Still it is too immature to anticipate that Sanath will contest for the election. But “the factor of Sanath Jayasuriya” cannot be neglected in political arena (like in Cricket).


( Source )

Sanath Jayasuriya’s speech on Jayasumanarama Maha Vihara Buddhist temple, Matara

Jayasumanarama Maha Vihara Buddhist temple, Matara >>>>

The ancestral home of Sri Lanka’s supper cricketer Sanath Jayasooriya is very near the temple. 

Cricketer Sanath Jayasooriya was educated at St. Servatius college nearly by and received his dhamma education during his student days, at the Dhamma school of this temple. 

The dhamma education which he received at the temple during those distant days may have, no doubt, contributed in no small measure to mould him into the disciplined and unassuming sportsman of the world. The temple can justly be proud of this great past pupil of its Dhamma School.

Sanath Jayasuriya Monk’s Hostel >>>

The Ground floor of this building constructed out of a donation made by the super cricketer and the former captain of the Sri Lanka team from his private funds, was completed and put in possession of the order Sangha on 03rd of April 2008. Messrs Mac Mohan of America and Najib Deen, Proprietor of dean group of companies and who is also in the international trade, also extended their support for this project.

Source  

Sanath Jayasuriya vs Indika de Saram | Hometown mates to light up the Hong Kong Sixes

Master blaster Sanath Jayasuriya will come up against hometown mate Indika de Saram, who will lead a strong Sri Lanka outfit at the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes on November 8-9 at the Kowloon Cricket Club.

De Saram. who captained Sri Lanka to a memorable victory over the All Stars in last year's final, will be back again with three other players - Jeewantha Kulatunga, Dilhara Lokuhettige and Kaushalya Weeraratne - who figured in the 16-run victory 12 months ago, which gave the island-nation their first win in Hong Kong.

The rest of the squad will be made up of talented all-rounder Gayan Wijekoon - who played at last year's Twenty20 World Cup and has figured here in the past - Chintaka Jayasinghe and Muthumudulige Pushpakumara.

"It is a good side who has the potential to win again," said former Sri Lankan test spearhead Rumesh Ratnayake, who is in town in his role as development manager with the Asian Cricket Council.

De Saram and Jayasuriya - who both come from Matara in the south of the island - are known to hit the ball a long way.

De Saram made a top score of 40 in the final against the All Stars last year, treating leg-spinner Shane Warne with disdain, as Sri Lanka rattled up 127 for three. Whether he can repeat that effort on the opening day when the Sri Lankans meet the All Stars in a preliminary match will be a mouth-watering prospect.

"That should be something worth going a long way to watch, Jayasuriya up against his own country," Ratnayake said.

Sri Lanka are drawn with the All Stars, Australia and Hong Kong in the preliminaries. The other group comprises India, Pakistan, England and South Africa.

Flashback : Master-blaster Sanath won Observer Outstation Cricketer Award in 1988

Flashback : Master-blaster Sanath won Observer Outstation Cricketer Award in 1988

Master-blaster Sanath Jayasuriya - a former Sri Lanka skipper, has been very much a part and parcel of inter-school cricket in the country and he excelled in cricket while at St. Servatius College, Matara and was picked as Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in the Outstation Segment in 1988. He was also picked as the Best Batsman and Best Allrounder in the Outstation Section.
Sanath Teran Jayasuriya is one of the finest allrounders from Matara to emerge in school cricket and he kept faith with the game and it was natural that he would make the grade to the top. He has been with the Sri Lanka team and has captained the team too.
In two days time, Jayasuriya will be involved with the Sri Lanka team at the Asia Cup tournament in Pakistan and after his exploits in the recent Indian Premier League, all cricket fans will be awaiting for some cracker-jack batting in the Asia Cup tournament.
While in Pakistan, there is another important date: June 30 - that’s Sanath’s 39th birthday, and it will, no doubt be celebration time over there.
After a few hiccups, he is back in good form. He scored a devastating 114 not out off just 48 balls for Mumbai Indians against Chennai in the recently concluded Indian Premier League. Jayasuriya regained his position in the one-day squad for Asia Cup after he had been dropped for the West Indies tour.
He then followed up his Century with a 17-ball 48 not out to surpass the Kolkata Knight Riders score of 67 in just the 6th over which was the biggest victory in Twenty 20 history. He was the tournament’s 3rd highest run getter with 514 at a strike rate of about 160. He led the six hitting board.

Product of Matara :

The star in the Outstations... Sanath Jayasuriya who was picked as the
Outstation Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in 1988 receives award from Mrs
Malini Bodinagoda (left) - wife of then ANCL Chairman Ranapala Bodinagoda.

Jayasuriya was born in Matara on 30th June 1969 and had his education at St. Servatius’ College, Matara. It was there that his cricketing talents were nourished by the Principal, G. L. Galappathy and coach Lionel Munasinghe.
It’s cricket all the way in the Jayasuriya household and his wife Sandra is former Flight Attendant for Sri Lankan Airlines, is very much involved backing Sanath in his exploits. They have three children.
The allrounder has been a member of the Sri Lanka cricket team since 1989. He is the only player in the world to score over 12,000 runs and capture over 300 wickets in ODIs. He is also regarded by many critics and supporters as one of the best ODI players to ever play the game.
Jayasuriya is the first cricketer to be appointed as a UN Goodwill Ambassador (by UNAIDS, Geneva) for his commitment to prevention of HIV/AIDS among young people in Sri Lanka.
Sanath Jayasuriya revolutionised one-day international batting with his aggressive tactics during the 1996 cricket World Cup. The tactics used were to take advantage of the early fielding restrictions by smashing the opening bowlers to all parts of the ground. This was a novel but potentially match-winning tactic at that time. Pretty soon this tactic became the standard opening batting strategy in world cricket.
Glenn McGrath cited Jayasuriya in his toughest XI batsman, noting it is always a massive compliment to someone to say they changed the game and his storming innings in the 1996 World Cup changed everyone’s thinking about how to start an innings!
Jayasuriya is known for both cuts and pulls along with his trademark shot a shot over point Jayasuriya was promoted to the top of the batting order for the ODIs during the 1995-96 tour of Australia and with Romesh Kaluwitharana they made use of the early over fielding restrictions to score freely.
He was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s victory in the 1996 Cricket World Cup where he was adjudged Man of the Tournament in recognition of his all-round contributions.

Wisden Cricketer 1997 :

He was named as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1997 and served as captain of the Sri Lanka team in 38 Test matches from 1999 to 2003. He is a allrounder with a good batting average in both Test and ODIs and an excellent batting strike rate in ODIs.
As a left-arm orthodox spin bowler he has a reasonable bowling average and economy rate. He regularly helps to decrease the workloads of strike bowler Muttaiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas and has 406 international wickets. Jayasuriya is a skilful fielder Since 1999 Cricket World Cup he had effected seventh highest number of run-outs in ODI cricket of any fieldsman with the eleventh highest rate.
Jayasuriya held the record for the highest Test score made by a Sri Lankan 340 against India in 1997. This effort was part of a second wicket partnership with Roshan Mahanama that set the then all-time record for any partnership in Test history with 576 runs.
Both records were surpassed in July 2006 when fellow Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardena scored 374 as part of a 624-run partnership with Kumar Sangakkara against South African cricket team.
Joint record holder
Jayasuriya holds the world’s second ODI score jointly with VIV Richards which is 189 runs against India. He has the fourth highest individual score by a Sri Lankan.
He currently holds the record for the fastest 50 in ODIs scored off just 17 balls. Jayasuriya was the previous record holder for the fastest century (off 48 balls) before losing that claim to Sahid Afridi of Pakistan. He has hit 241 sixes in one-day internationals and currently holds the world record for most ODI sixes. He is the fourth batsman to score more than 10,000 runs in ODIs.
On September 20th, 2005, during the second Test match against Bangladesh, Jayasuriya became the first Sri Lankan to play 100 Tests and the 33rd Test cricketer to achieve this feat. He held the record of scoring most runs in an ODI over (30) he has achieved this remarkable feat twice. This record is now with South Africa’s Hereschelle Gibbs 36 runs in an over.
Jayasuriya announced his intention to retire from Test cricket following the Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka in 2005, April. He reversed his decision soon after, and then joined the Sri Lanka team in April 2006 for the tour of England. Missing the first Two Tests, Jayasuriya returned to the team in the third Test at Trent Bridge.
Although his Test performances were not striking, he scored two centuries in the one-day Natwest series, which included 152 off 99-balls in the final match. In that innings he and Upul Tharanga (109) put on 286 runs for the first wicket a - new one-day international record. Jayasuriya’s batting display earned him the Man of the Series award as Sri Lanka won the series 5-0.
Following the Natwest Trophy, Sri Lanka travelled to Holland for a two match one-day series. In the first game Jayasuriya scored 157 off 104 balls as Sri Lanka posted the highest team total in limited overs cricket 443 for 9 beating the South Africa 438 for 9 against Australia.
Sri Lanka won the match by 195 runs. On a personal note the innings was his 4th score of over in ODI cricket and he is currently the only player to do so. It was also his second successive score of 150 plus another first in ODI cricket.
He also scored 2 centuries and 2 half centuries in the 2007 cricket World Cup held in the West Indies. In the ICC World Twenty20, Jayasuriya hit two half centuries in the group stages against New Zealand and Kenya. He also achieved a dubious record of having the most expensive figures in a Twenty20 international having been hit for 64 runs in the maximum of 4 overs.
After the Twenty20 World Cup, Jayasuriya played in Sri Lanka’s 3-2 one-day international series defeat against England achieving limited success and then in the 2-0 Test series defeat in Australia.
After scoring a half century on day three of the first Test against England in Kandy, he announced his retirement from Test cricket at the end of the match but said that he would continue to play in One-Day Internationals, He also hit six fours in one over against Englishman James Anderson in his last Test innings.
In the 2008, he played for Warwickshire County Cricket Club. In April 2008 he joined the Mumbai Indians to play in the IPL.
Jayasuriya has played in 110 Test matches and scored 6973 runs, an average of 40.07. He made 14 centuries and 31 half centuries, top score of 340, bowled 8188 balls, captured 98 wickets at an average of 34.34. Best figures 5 for 34 and held 78 catches.
In One-Day Internationals, he has played in 411 matches scoring 12,310 runs average 32.30 hit 25 centuries and 64 half centuries. Highest score of 189, bowled 14,124 balls, claimed 308 wickets average of 36.39, best bowling 6 for 29 and taken 116 catches.
In domestic cricket, he represents Bloomfield Cricket Club