Jayasuriya, Mahela at Reebok store launch, New Delhi 2009

Sanath Jayasuriya & Mahela Jayawardene were spotted in New Delhi during Reebok concept store launch on December 26, 2009.

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!

Jayasuriya, Tharanga star in Ruhuna's crushing win

Upul Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya at Olam Cup 2010, Singapore 

(Photographer: Critically Cricket)

The former national opening pair of Upul Tharanga 83 not out and Sanath Jayasuriya 53 put up a fireworks display for Ruhunu Province to defeat Sri La Cricket Combined XI by nine wickets in the Inter Provincial Twenty20 cricket tournament match played at Lake View grounds, Kandy yesterday.

Left handed Sanath Jayasuriya smashed quick 53 in just 21 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes while Upul Tharanga made his runs in just 58 balls hitting 3 sixes and 9 fours. They together put on 81 for the first wicket, Dinesh Chandimal too batted well to score 42 not out with 1 four and 3 sixes off 36 balls.

For SLC Combined XI Kithruwan Withanage was in full cry and tore into the Wayamba attack by scoring an aggressive 62 not out with 6 sixes and 3 fours in only 30 balls.

SLC Combined XI 179 for 5 in 20 overs (Achira Eranga 22, Hans Fernando 66, Bhanuka Rajapakse 20, Kithruwan Withanage 62 not out, Tharanga Lakshitha 2 for 29, Sajeewa Weerakoon 1 for 14, Sachithra Senanayake 1 for 20, T .M. Sampath 1 for 4.

Ruhunu Province 181 for 1 in 18 overs (Sanath Jayasuriya 53, Upul Tharanga 83 not out, Dinesh Chandimal 42 not out )

Jayasuriya is my preferred opening partner - Dilshan

Tillakaratne Dilshan and wife actress Manjula Thilini were on a Sinhalese language talk show on Swaranavahini this past Sunday. It was an interesting show with several questions thrown at them both, but it was Dilshan's response when asked who he would like to open batting with, that really drew me into the interview.

Although Upul Tharanga has been Dilshan's opening partner of late, Dilshan told the presenters of the show that he preferred opening with Sanath.

When Sanath Jayasuriya made public his decision to enter politics, the Sri Lankan fans were immediately divided. Even Sanath's long time fans found it unpalatable. There were those who claimed it was a dirty trick by a selfish player to try and get back into the team. This is of course if you thought he was out of the team.

Sanath has been an important cog in Sri Lanka's Twenty20 team and the ODI team since his retirement from Test cricket. He was sent down the order during Sri Lanka's tour to India in late 2009, and due to a loss of form he was not selected for a tri-series in Bangladesh. But, that never meant Sanath was out of the picture, or that he needed to become a politician to get back into the ODI side. Don't forget he has not lost his place as opener in the Twenty20 side. Therefore, his performances in Twenty20s for Sri Lanka, and the fact that he is still a contracted player, means that he is just a knock away from selection.

Dilshan didn't mince his words, he told the talk show hosts on Sunday morning that he felt a great degree of confidence just seeing Jayasuriya at the other end. But fans will never get it. When you are a professional athlete trying to win games, words like the "future," "youth," and "giving youngster a chance," all become non-relevant words.

Every player wants to win and they want match winners in their team. In a player's eyes, the youth can work their way up just as hard as all the seniors did. Players themselves feel that if you are good enough you will make it, and Sanath isn't holding anyone back.

Due to his age Sanath Jayasuriya has always been the first name on the chopping block, every time we loose we think that changing the team and sending inexperienced youth into the firing line is the answer.

Sure, Jayasuriya's move to enter politics is ridiculous. But that's his call. Everyone one of us is entitled to make our own mistakes.

Those who are crying foul at Jayasuriya's entry into politics usually don't see eye to eye with the ruling party, so they continue to tarnish the legend's reputation. The misguided think that Sanath is trying to make his way back into the team.

For Sanath, this uncertainty and criticism has been part and parcel of his career.

Dilshan relishes brief stint with Northern Districts' Knights

When asked about his stint with New Zealand's Northern Districts, and how it felt to be flown into the venue by helicopter moments before a match, Dilshan said it was an outstanding experience and the treatment he received by the Knights gave him a lot of confidence and reinforced his own belief in his abilities.

(Article by gavin at Island Cricket)

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.

Jayasuriya Into Politics? Why or Why?

Perhaps reality is sinking into him and is thinking about life after cricket. Perhaps he is misled by some folks or maybe he has genuine intent to help the people of Matara. What ever it is, I think it’s a terrible choice. Politics in Sri Lanka is not for gentlemen no matter which party you decide to hang out with. This immensely talented man has seen a sharp decline in the last year or so. Even though I want him to go forever, I think reality is catching up with all of us. So perhaps we can’t blame him for looking for a life after cricket.

I think his IPL contract is expiring after this season, which probably will not be renewed. As far as I know he was not recalled by the Nashua Dolphins for another season and he has found work in lesser leagues in Singapore etc. Kind of reminds me of the Wrestler movie. I thought he had one last hurrah left in him for the world cup, but if the last few internationals are any indication, then there isn’t much hope left.

As any loyal fan, my hopes went up when he got back into form in the inter provincial match against the combined X1, but since has not had much luck with the bat. I hope the spell he bowled against the Kandurata team will keep his chances alive as an all rounder. It remains to be seen what the selectors think when the time comes for the T20 World Cup. Perhaps he may come back to form during the IPL. His reflexes may have slowed down a bit, but I think the man still has the luck and the magic.

Either the way I wish him luck. Maybe he might be able to make a difference to his home town. But I think deep inside, he himself wants people to remember him as the swashbuckling batsmen that helped us win the world cup, rather than Sanath the politician. I hope he protects that legacy.

(Article by Ranukaz (ranukaz.wordpress.com)

[VIDEO] Sanath Jayasuriya - Political speech

I will have enough time for the politics - Jayasuriya

Sri Lanka's top run-getter in one-day international cricket is going to contest the forthcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for 8 April.

Sanath Jayasuriya, now retired from Test cricket, told the BBC Tamil service he will stand in the southern district of Matara, where he was born.
He will be standing for the Sri Lanka Freedom Party of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Jayasuriya played a key part in Sri Lanka's only World Cup victory in 1996.
Another top Sri Lankan cricketer, World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, stood in the 2005 elections and went on to become a minister. But he fell out of favour with the ruling establishment and is now contesting April's election as an opposition candidate.

'Personal decision'

Sanath Jayasuriya, 40, is standing in Matara district, where he also went to school.
"I know the area well. This place needs development. I am going to help the people," Jayasuriya said.

"I have already campaigned for the president in the last elections. He requested me to contest this election. I thought long about this. Then I have decided to contest. It is a personal decision," he added.

If the voting in the presidential election is anything to go by, the chances of the dashing left-hand batsman winning the election are very high.

Jayasuriya said he would continue to play one-day internationals (ODIs) and in the Indian Premier League.

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

Jayasuriya holds many cricketing records, including being the only player to have scored over 13,000 runs and capture over 300 wickets in ODIs.

He hopes through the popularity of sport, the Tamil-speaking population of the north and east will be able to connect with the Sinhalese of the south.

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)

Humor : President Jayasuriya | by theflyslip

Recently elected President Jayasuriya of the Democtratic Republique of Sri Lanka yesterday announced sweeping changes across the board in what he calls the Mandatory Power Play - Part 1

President Jayasuriya touched on several key areas of Change

Finance/Business

-All future government investments require a proof of ROI inside 3 months. Any projects that take longer will be scrapped.

Jaysuriya issued a statement saying “For any nation to become a great one you need to start looking at short term wins. Once we get our eye in we can settle down the economy and we can then start thinking about long term plans or innings if you will. Otherwise the public just get bored”

Retirement

-In a move many had predicted, the new president increased the mandatory retirement age to 150 from 65, with an option to come back into the workforce if the employee still felt like he could play a role.
Government and Parliment.

-The current parliment is to shut down with immediate effect. All future govermental meetings will be held at the Presidents residence around a very large round table. President Jayasuriya felt that inorder to drive the nation in a new direction one needed to be innovative and clever and slightly unorthodox and to break away from conventional democratic practice.

This move has been hailed across the world as a brainchild and the US senate is already thinking of relocating to the Rose Bowl.

Transport

-City speed limits were increased to a 110kpmh from the usual 20-30kmph ambiguity. Drivers who consistently drive below the speed limit are to be heavily fined by the Police. Car owners who take calculated risks that do not endanger the general public will be allowed lee way under the new laws.

Employment and Trade

-In a decision that angered most critics, President Jayasuriya ordered that employees who are only skilled in one field be immediately sacked. In its place, Jayasuriya encouraged the new generation to specialise in one area but to also have an allround ability so that they can be relied upon when the company needed them.

-He also encouraged the workforce to look at a move to India as a future prospect. The president felt that there were lucrative business deals to be engaged in across the palk straits and that this will eventually benifit the country as a whole.

(Article by theflyslip)