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India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Sri Lanka for a couple of days, had a meeting with Sri Lanka men's cricket team's head coach Sanath Jayasuriya. The legendary opener made a special request during his interaction with Indian leader. The former Sri Lanka all-rounder sought Modi's help to provide Jaffna an international cricket ground. Jayasuriya, who used to utilise his batting prowess to give chills to Team India during the 1990s and 2000s, also expressed gratitude to Modi for India’s assistance to the island nation during the time of financial crisis. Jayasuriya was also accompanied by his former teammates Chaminda Vaas, Marvan Atapattu, Aravinda de Silva and other World Cup 1996 champions.
“When we had unrest, problems in Sri Lanka, you and the government helped us a lot. We are always grateful to you for helping Sri Lanka. As the coach of Sri Lanka, at the moment we play all over Sri Lanka except Jaffna. If India can help us to bring international ground in Jaffna, there will be a big help for the people in Jaffna North and Eastern parts...I have a small request, if this can be done?...” Jayasuriya remarked during the conversation, as ANI quoted.
It was a great honour to meet him personally: Sanath Jayasuriya
Jayasuriya said it was an honour for him to meet Modi personally. He also revealed that the Indian PM explained how he developed his nation. Jayasuriya discussed cricket and Sri Lanka’s World Cup 1996 campaign with the 73-year-old political veteran. The legendary opener also hailed Modi’s cricketing knowledge.
“It was a great honour to meet him personally as the ’96 team. We talked about sports during 1996, how we won the World Cup, and how we beat India, as well as the future of Sri Lanka. It went really well. Honourable Prime Minister, I think, follows cricket. He knows everything as a leader, being the most powerful person in South Asia. His cricket knowledge is very good,” said Jayasuriya after meeting with the India PM.
