Murali faces new test for UK visa

5 April 2011 11:35 am - 33 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka's legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is struggling to qualify to play English county cricket this year - because he is scared of computers and examinations.

A recent change in Britain's work visa rules means the world record holder must prove his English language skills at an examination to secure a permit to play for Gloucestershire in June.

"I have a visitor's visa (for Britain) till 2013, but I have to sit for an exam now to work there," he told reporters on Tuesday, adding he was scared to write his exams on a computer.

"I don't know how to use computers."

Asked if he was frightened of the computer or the exam, he said: "Both."

"I last sat for exams in 1988 and passed six subjects for my (General Certificate of Education) Ordinary Levels. I left school afterwards. All I wanted to do was to play cricket."

Muralitharan, who turns 39 this month, quit international cricket after Sri Lanka's defeat in the World Cup final against India on Saturday with a record 800 Test and 534 one-day wickets under his belt.

Despite his aversion to computers, Muralitharan runs several charities which fund IT training, maintains schools and donates supplies to thousands of underprivileged children.

"I need about $100,000 each year for school books, uniforms, shoes and supplies to distribute to 20,000 children," he said.

His Foundation for Goodness charity is also raising cash to build a $5 million sporting facility, school and IT lab in the island's north to help thousands of war-displaced civilians.

An ethnic Tamil, Muralitharan runs a similar project in the island's Sinhala-dominated south that was affected by the 2004 Asian tsunami.

He plans to travel to Australia, Malaysia and the US to raise money from the expatriate Tamil community and well wishers.

"All my life it has been cricket. Now its my turn to help people less fortunate than me." Colombo, April 5 (AFP)

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Comments - 33

Athula Wednesday, 06 April 2011 04:43 AM

He should be Knighted as Sir Richard Hadlee Etc. as a Sri lankan

truth Tuesday, 05 April 2011 02:16 PM

murali pulled for india. Fact.

MagodisThuma Tuesday, 05 April 2011 04:02 PM

Indians were very happy to play with the rusted spinner !. Did he spin ? No... not at all !

ampareson Tuesday, 05 April 2011 04:25 PM

we dont want to see MP murali. like sanath.

True Cricket Lovers Wednesday, 06 April 2011 02:56 AM

Jayasuriya must learn from him .... without being greedy

Fan Wednesday, 06 April 2011 02:49 AM

Seems you have explained your self above...

Percy Mandawala Wednesday, 06 April 2011 03:18 AM

Ask Gota how Karuna got Visa!

pasha Wednesday, 06 April 2011 04:17 AM

indian MBA?

SLCricket Tuesday, 05 April 2011 02:17 PM

What a Shameful comment!!!!! Fool....

ford Wednesday, 06 April 2011 04:51 AM

It shows how much honest Murali is! if that cannot be understand to the ill minded people of this country i feel sorry about them and feel pathetic. People be open minded b possitive PLS!!!

Salmaan Wednesday, 06 April 2011 05:45 AM

Im proud of you Murali as a Sri lankan .. Lot to learn from you ..

geraldine Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:18 AM

You stupid, stupid person, how could you say such a thing?

Rishad Wednesday, 06 April 2011 07:35 AM

A charity to support Tamils and Sinhalese. What about Muslims?

bonco Wednesday, 06 April 2011 08:27 AM

Charity to support North & South man....

KAF Wednesday, 06 April 2011 08:36 AM

All murali haters- who else we should have played instead of murali? Namal I guess!?

senthil Wednesday, 06 April 2011 08:51 AM

I salute Murali as he is a genuine, honest open minded person to disclose everything to the media.
It is nothing for him to brush up his knowledge in English as well as some basic computer education. Everyone should recall his achievement in the cricket history. I remember well that he disclosed that he focussed on cricket rather than education even though he was sent to a leading college in Kandy on a TV interview on Vijay TV, India.
When you read some of the comments here is utter wastage and insulting such a great player of this nature who brought fame to the country.
My greetings and best wishes to Murali for his courage in his life and also to succeed in his humanity project.

Consciousview Tuesday, 05 April 2011 11:51 AM

What a Legend!

Palitha Tuesday, 05 April 2011 01:53 PM

how did all LTTE 'S GOT VISA INCLUDING KARUNA

UNESH Tuesday, 05 April 2011 01:40 PM

you r the greatest and you are the icon of sri lanka.

sxhabeeb Tuesday, 05 April 2011 01:52 PM

We lost the world cup cos we played him in the final...

Dinesh Tuesday, 05 April 2011 01:45 PM

Really a legend. An exemplary to human being. We wish him to success as cricketer in charity services.

ampareson Tuesday, 05 April 2011 01:47 PM

I allways respect educate people he not doing politics that mean education dosent matter.. murali is doing great job. we have to help him.god bless you murali.

Chamalka Tuesday, 05 April 2011 01:27 PM

Typical Sri Lankan way of thinking :-)

Amarapala Tuesday, 05 April 2011 01:22 PM

Here we go again. Sri lankans as always expect one rule for some and another for other

Thavasi Tuesday, 05 April 2011 01:26 PM

If he has brain, he will be in jail

josh Tuesday, 05 April 2011 01:10 PM

A LEGEND HE IS!!!!

dont worry murali!!! you have faced difficult exams than these.. you will get through it easily!!

banda Tuesday, 05 April 2011 01:20 PM

No Problem. You can learn from Your wife since she is MBA graduate.

Dinesh Tuesday, 05 April 2011 01:06 PM

Shameful comment

TAMILAN Tuesday, 05 April 2011 12:16 PM

all the best murali....

this is the point i becomes a fan of you( servicing to people)...
but don't get into polities..

Yogi Tuesday, 05 April 2011 12:14 PM

I think you don't have both.. That's why your comment is like this.
Shame on you

Facinator Tuesday, 05 April 2011 12:14 PM

But with a brave heart which can with stand any kind of challenge and succeed.

MagodisThuma Tuesday, 05 April 2011 11:52 AM

Only Muscles No Brains !.

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Murali faces new test for UK visa

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