"Lahore attack on Sri Lankan cricket team last was financed by LTTE" says Pakistan Premier (By: Walter Jayawardhana)

Pakistani investigators have discovered the attack on the Sri Lankan Cricket team in Lahore, Pakistan was financed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fundamental group.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousouf Raza Gilani told journalists that the finding by the Pakistani law enforcement establishment has been already conveyed to the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa when they met recently in the Libyan capital of Tripoli.
He told reporters that a Pakistani side of detectives will be coming to Sri Lanka to further investigate the involvement of the LTTE terrorists and share information with the Sri Lankan government on the attack of the cricket team.
Pakistani Prime Minister told reporters detectives have now got indications to suggest that the terrorist group LTTE had financed the attack by 12 gunmen on the bus transport Sri Lankan cricketers, March 2009, near Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore.
In June this year a terrorist group called Tehrik-e-Taliban claimed blame for the attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers.
LTTE terrorists have maintained relations with the Pakistani and Middle Eastern terrorist groups and the widely used suicide jackets by the Middle Eastern suicide missions is an invention by the LTTE, security experts say.
In March the Sri Lankan cricketers were on their third day of the second test match when the attack occurred. The damage to the Sri Lankan cricket team would have been better if not for the bravery of the Pakistani driver of the coach who drove through a hail of bullets by the violent gunmen. Six members of the Sri Lankan cricket team were injured while six Pakistani policemen and two civilians were killed.
The global Cricket Council cancelled Pakistan as the venue for the World Cup matches in 2011 followed by the cancellations of many scheduled visits of abroad cricket teams to the country, costing the nation millions.

Promotion for new cricketing hero, Ajantha

President of Sri Lanka and Commander-in-Chief, H.E Mahinda Rajapaksa, Tuesday (July 8) promoted the Asia Cup cricketing hero Ajantha Mendis from the rank of Sergeant in the SL Army to Second Lieutenant.

Ajantha, the newest Sri Lankan revelation into the world cricketing game was also adjudged the man of the match at the Asia cup finale and man of the series for his outstanding performance with the ball.

With best of the bowling figures 6 wickets for just 13 runs in 8 overs against the mighty Indians, reserved the place along with spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan as the most lethal one-day spin bowling combination in the world.

The mystery spinner dominated the Asia cup tournament ending up been the highest wicket taker, snaring 17 scalps. Ajantha, known as the 'cricketing soldier', was received today (9) morning by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees, along with the Asian Cup champs led by Mahela Jayawardena.


Winners of the Asia cup met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at President's House today (July 9).
Army Chief, Lt. General Sarath Fonseka also greets the nation's new cricketing hero.


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Kudos to cricketing soldier Ajantha

Kudos to cricketing soldier Ajantha

Sri Lanka Army's latest gift to national sports, Gunner Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka Army Artillery Regiment, brought great glory to his motherland yesterday (June 6) with his excellent cricketing performance at Asia Cup final in Pakistan.

Ajantha with his magical spin bowling helped the Sri Lankan team to beat India by 100 runs in the final in Karachi and to defend the Asia Cup title, winning it for the fourth time. Facing the mighty Indians for the first time in his career, Ajantha took six wickets for just 13 runs bowling only 8 overs. India lost 9 wickets for 97 runs and were finally bowled out for 173 in 39.3 overs. The 23-year-old spinner won both the Man of the Series and Man of the Match Awards. He also bettered the best bowling figures in Asia Cup history, erasing the 5 wickets for 19 runs record set by Aaqub Javid for Pakistan against India in 1995.

Gunner Balapuwaduge Ajantha Winslow Mendis made history in the Sri Lanka Army by being the first Army cricketer to represent the National Team. He made his debut in April this year against West Indies . Having spotted his talents during 2003/2004 under 23 division 11 tournaments, the Army Cricket Committee invited Ajantha to play for the Army Cricket Club. As result, he joined Army regular force as a gunner in the Artillery Regiment.

After his basic military training he was sent to the Army Cricket Pool and from there on given good training. Being a hard working youngster and quick learner, Ajantha was able to cement his place in the Army team due to his skill in all three aspects of the game - bowling, batting and fielding. He was initially coached by Mr Saman Hewawithrana and Mr Neil Rajapakse. Later, both coaches did a good job in guiding him. He has shown a steady progress in all the tournaments organized by Sri Lanka Cricket when representing the Army. His first appearance for the Army was in the 2004/2005 Sara Trophy Tournament. In the same tournament the following year he was awarded the Best All-Rounder's Trophy by Sri Lanka Cricket.

Defence.lk extends its best wishes to this excellent cricketer and fellow soldier.