The Consul General delivering the welcome address
The Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai & Northern Emirates in association with “Lanka Lions Sport Club” in Dubai hosted a dinner reception to the visiting Sri Lanka cricket team on 21st October 2017 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai. Over 300 guests participated in the event including Sri Lanka’s national Cricket team, foreign dignitaries, office bearers and members of Lanka Lions Sports Club as well as other Sri Lankan associations together with a large number of Sri Lankan expatriates based in Dubai and Northern Emirates.
Welcoming the Sri Lankan Cricket Team and the foreign dignitaries gathered at the event, Consul General Charitha Yattogoda conveyed nation’s appreciation to the Sri Lankan test cricket team on their victory in both test matches played against Pakistan. He reassured of the constant support of all the Sri Lankans based in the UAE to the Sri Lankan cricketers, despite of their recent fall backs in the format of one day cricket.
The Manager of the Sri Lankan Cricket Team Mr. AsankaGurusinghe, speaking at the event, stated the crowd that the Sri Lankan cricket team will gain its lost pace once again and that the path will be cleared to the past days of glory.
The evening also featured music and traditional Sri Lankan dances performed by Meshan Dissanayake Dancing Academy. A video clip displaying the talents of the Sri Lankan Cricket Team in 1996 was also displayed at the event.
At the event, special awards were given by the Olcott Schools Union in UAE to Mr. Rangana Herath for his exceptional achievement in taking 400 test wickets and; to Mr. Dinesh Chandimal and to Mr. Upul Tharanga in their capacities as test and one day captains respectively. The Current fast bowling and batting coaches of the Sri Lankan team Mr. Rumesh Ratnayake and Mr. Hashan Thilakarathne, former cricketer and commentator Mr.Russel Arnold and Mr.Nic Pothas, Sri Lanka’s head Coach also attended the event.
Representing Pakistan, the Consul General of Pakistanto Dubai and Northern Emirates Mr. Zyed Javed Hassen and former Pakistani Captain Mr. Rameez Raja attended the reception.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Dubai & Northern Emirates, UAE
23/10/2017
Traditional dances performed by Meshan Dissanayake Dancing Academy
Mr. Asanka Gurusinghe, Manager, SLC, addressing the gathering
welcoming the cricketers to the venue
Group photo
