Lankans gave up joy for Indians: MR

Monday, 04 April 2011 22:20

While hailing the Sri Lankan national cricket team, President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said that 20 million people of Sri Lanka took a step back to allow 1.2 billion Indian people to enjoy some happiness, for the second time since 1983.

“I like to tell my Indian friends that 20 million from our small country took a step back to allow 1.2 billion Indian people to enjoy some happiness, for the second time since 1983,” he said adding that “Sri Lankans took the defeat with dignity.”

Rajapaksa, flanked by his wife Shiranthi, presented players with a 5,000 rupee gold coin and a pair of gold cufflinks encrusted with colouful stones, during a ceremony at Temple Trees, AFP reported.

“Whether you won the Cup or not, reaching the final, was a great achievement,” Rajapaksa said referring to Saturday's six-wicket defeat. “You have done us proud.”

India won their first and only World Cup under Kapil Dev in 1983.

Comments

-30+368#Sepelchura2011-04-04 22:39

What does this mean that we purposely allowed India to win. Was the president promised something by the Indian government.

-18+193#kandy kolla2011-04-04 23:46

We are not stiring up a controversy here, but why did sanga categorically thank MR and did not mention anything about murali in his speach? is it a hint or just co-incident..

-16+78#Sour Grapes2011-04-05 07:52

Must have been for support given to lose the match.

-9+6#bbm2011-04-05 15:04

because MR wanted to win for Murali not for SL cricket.

-9+73#Eta Bola2011-04-05 07:51

We could have done that more graciously by not playing, or were the SL team instructed to lose the match. Prayers must have been for the Indian Team!!!.

-7+53#sxhabeeb2011-04-05 08:25

i hope its a premeditated Jilmart.... went on the wrong way.

-1+5#Citizen2011-04-05 14:39

This gives the credentials that only Captain & team can win a match (or for that matter WAR), not the president.

-0+3#xlntgson2011-04-05 15:42

Great soul, Sri Lankan version!

-12+175#cracko2011-04-04 22:42

A very sarcastic statement.

-12+169#Gymkhana2011-04-04 23:06

this is sure to create a big controversy........

-11+178#gayan2011-04-04 23:09

MR sounds Fishy

-11+163#sura2011-04-04 23:13

Ah...its an agreement then...!

-7+84#rosh2011-04-04 23:31

Another peace accord I guess

-6+50#How is Zat?2011-04-05 07:54

With whom. Man Mohan Singh, Indian President or with Sumathipala?.

-6+121#J.D2011-04-04 23:27

Mr. President's statement........ keeps doubts for Cricket loving fans around the world....

-9+159#lilantha2011-04-04 23:30

What is this statement? Think before you talk.

We dont play cricket for others to enjouy and win, Mr President, cannot imagine you have made a such stupid statement

-6+56#spark2011-04-05 08:37

I hope the Indian Government gives a proper response (both in statement and action) to this statement.

-0+11#geraldine2011-04-05 14:37

embarassing beyond words

-10+91#Tamilan2011-04-04 23:32

what will sonia give for this..

-9+85#I Hussein2011-04-04 23:38

Humour is spontenious. If you dont know how to crack it leave it Mr President.

-5+101#Rangana2011-04-04 23:40

We love our team aand proud of them...But this is the dumbest thing I heard for the day....

-10+71#Vijayabahu2011-04-04 23:55

Dear President , such obediences unwanted front of India..
Our team had weaknesses, Sanga Accepted it.. we saw that..

We MUST ahead every thing including Science, Sports,Values,Education,Economy,Health.. we should not fear of 1.2 billion or 1.3 billion..

Please ready Next Generation to take the challenge

-10+80#Steven Miller2011-04-05 00:07

There is no need to say anything about the Indian victory, they deserved it because they played better. So now don't try to give big talks.

-6+101#Rahavan2011-04-05 00:10

It is not a good statement as a leader of a country...... This can be a joke after a drink!!!

-103+21#Chin2011-04-05 00:13

It was a playful tease by HE when he met the players to make their mood good. fools cannot understand.

-2+83#nilla2011-04-05 00:16

Diplomatic lunatic

-8+49#kumarsangakara2011-04-05 00:17

Are grapes sour?? pitty..

-74+20#Ranathunga2011-04-05 00:19

Pls try to understand that... It could be just a humourus post match comment.. and there is a real truth in it... How would the 1.2 billion Indians would feel, if they had lost the final.. That doesn't mean, we wanted to loose

-7+59#Sri Lankan!2011-04-05 00:21

Oh no! Get ready for the retaliation by the Indian Government!

-2+46#vikum2011-04-05 07:27

We can do the same thing in 2015. Or even we can give up the fist round by allowing people to enjoy some happiness !

-3+55#Prashan2011-04-05 07:46

This is not a suitable comment for leader of the nation. At least he could have said "try your best in 2015"

-4+46#Dulan2011-04-05 07:52

Even in humor what is shown is MR's huge ego which cannot accept defeat with dignity. Basically he is saying we allowed them to win to bring happiness to Indians.

-5+32#vikum2011-04-05 07:52

Then we can do the same thing in 2015. Or even we can give ut the first round by allowing people to enjoy some happiness.
Soo sad. At least he could have said "try your best in next time"

-9+47#SADARUWAN2011-04-05 08:08

MR YOUR TONGE TALKS.

-100+28#anura2011-04-05 08:46

Sorry to see that most people do not understand the good humour behind President's comment .

-15+46#Bluff Bluff2011-04-05 08:46

Match fixing for survival??

-1+6#Athula2011-04-05 14:35

Dayata Kirula Finale In Mumbai !

-1+6#suresh2011-04-05 14:40

this not good........india will be very up set with this kind of comment.....MR should think before he uses his mouth..........

-3+3#Nissanka2011-04-05 15:24

I knew that, I knew that .

-1+6#MTM2011-04-05 15:26

This statements will give reply to those who got doubt about match fixing.

-2+7#Robin2011-04-05 15:48

wow .. jealously ,.. now the victory is even more sweeter :D

-4+8#Ramakrishnan-India2011-04-05 15:55

Our indian team is strong, this is the true. so we got cup.

-5+12#malkanthi2011-04-05 16:17

But now the truth is out, you need to worship our president for the victory granted!

-0+23#Tearing lion2011-04-05 15:58

Why am i not surprised ? now that Sanga has resigned MR can take up the captaincy...

-7+11#M.N. Yadav2011-04-05 17:00

What is this?
Unwarrated Mr. President!

Indian team was better than SL.

-0+4#kumara2011-04-05 21:06

sanga knew this from the bigining.

-0+2#MrRetort2011-04-06 08:33

Sour grapes

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