Asian Cricket Champions meet President Rajapakse. They met him at Temple Trees this (09th July) morning. After their arrival at the Katunayake International Airport, the Sri Lankan team headed by Mahela Jayawardena first met the President. Presenting to the President the Asia Cup they clinched after successfully beating India in the final, the Sri Lankan skipper briefed him on their achievement.

The President extended his warm congratulations to the cricketers for their significant victory. The President also extended his warm greetings to Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis for mesmerizing the Indian batsmen with career best figures, and highly acclaimed the cricketers for doing Sri Lanka proud. Ajantha Mendis is a Corporal of the Sri Lanka Army. The President, as Chief of the Commanding Forces, promoted him to the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Army Chief Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka also congratulated Ajantha Mendis. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Ministers Gamini Lokuge, Chamal Rajapakse and Bandula Basnayake, Parliamentarian Arjuna Ranatunga and many senior government officials were present. Among others who joined the occasion were Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapakse, Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and IGP Jayantha Wickremaratne.

(Courtesy : ITN Sri Lanka )