PM Modi Meets Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup Heroes During Colombo Visit
Also Pays Tribute at IPKF Memorial Honouring Indian Soldiers
During his official visit to Colombo, Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met with legendary members of Sri Lanka’s iconic 1996 Cricket World Cup-winning team, celebrating a moment of sporting glory that continues to inspire the nation.
Among the cricketing greats in attendance were Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas, Aravinda de Silva, Marvan Atapattu, Romesh Kaluwitharana, and Kumar Dharmasena—players who were instrumental in Sri Lanka’s historic triumph over Australia in the final held in Lahore.
Prime Minister Modi is visiting Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6 at the invitation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. His arrival on Friday marked his first official visit to the island nation since 2019.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister expressed his admiration for the 1996 team, saying:
“Cricket connect! Delighted to interact with members of the 1996 Sri Lankan cricket team, which won the World Cup that year. This team captured the imagination of countless sports lovers!”
The meeting struck a personal and nostalgic chord with the players, who shared their reflections on the interaction and India-Sri Lanka cricketing ties.
Cricketing Legends Share Their Thoughts
Marvan Atapattu, who represented Sri Lanka in 360 matches and scored over 14,000 runs across formats, said:
“It was an extraordinary meeting. We have been lucky. Meeting a head of state who is a strong leader and has brought India to its heights was a dream come true. It was our honour and privilege.”
Chaminda Vaas, who claimed 760 international wickets from 1994 to 2009, praised the Prime Minister’s deep knowledge of cricket:
“It’s a great honour to meet him. We talked about sports, the 1996 victory, and how we beat India in the semifinal at Eden Gardens. The Prime Minister follows cricket closely and knows everything—he even asked how we beat India!”
Aravinda de Silva, the man of the match in the 1996 final with his unbeaten century, remarked:
“He’s a globally respected leader. Becoming Prime Minister for the third time in a country like India is a remarkable feat. We truly enjoyed the conversation.”
Sanath Jayasuriya, one of the game’s most explosive all-rounders with over 21,000 runs and 437 wickets, noted:
“It was really nice meeting the Prime Minister. We discussed cricket past and present, and also issues in Jaffna. It was a great experience.”
Romesh Kaluwitharana added:
“Since he came to power, PM Modi has brought about many changes. He’s also supported Sri Lanka, not just in cricket but during times of crisis.”
Kumar Dharmasena, who went on to become a respected international umpire, said:
“He’s one of the friendliest and most casual leaders I’ve met. As a neighbour, India under his leadership has supported Sri Lanka immensely.”
Strengthening India-Sri Lanka Cricketing Ties
India and Sri Lanka share a rich cricketing rivalry and camaraderie, having faced off in key matches, including the 2011 World Cup final in Mumbai and the 2014 T20 World Cup final in Bangladesh. Notably, both countries are set to co-host the ICC T20 World Cup next year, with India defending its title.
Tribute at IPKF Memorial
In a solemn moment of remembrance, Prime Minister Modi also visited the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial in Colombo, where he laid a wreath to honour Indian soldiers who lost their lives while serving in Sri Lanka.
“Laid a wreath at the IPKF Memorial in Colombo. We remember the brave soldiers of the Indian Peace Keeping Force who laid down their lives in service of peace, unity and the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Their unwavering courage and commitment remain a source of inspiration for us all,” he said.
