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Last Updated : 2024-04-29 02:09:00
11 August 2022 11:51 am - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Led by captains Pat Cummins, who is a UNICEF Australia ambassador, and Aaron Finch, the team will donate A$45,000 to the organisation's Sri Lanka appeal.
Australia's cricketers witnessed the crisis first-hand during their all-format tour in June-July this year, with long lines at petrol stations commonplace and the cries of thousands of peaceful protesters echoing around the Galle International Cricket Ground on day two of the second Test, with similar demonstrations in the capital of Colombo forcing the resignation of the country's president and prime minster.
The economic situation gripping the island nation has resulted in food prices skyrocketing by 80 per cent with more than two-thirds of households having reduced food consumption.
School is limited to three days per week as travel for teachers and students is hindered by fuel shortages, queuing for medicines and fuel has become part of everyday life, health services are increasingly difficult to access, and clean drinking water is in short supply.
The funds donated by Australia's cricketers will go towards UNICEF's programs to support nutrition, healthcare, safe drinking water, education, and mental health services for 1.7 million vulnerable Sri Lankan children in need.
"It was very clear to us how much day-to-day life for Sri Lankans is being impacted," Cummins said.
"When the team saw what was happening it was an easy decision to donate our prize money to UNICEF, who have been in Sri Lanka for more than 50 years supporting the needs of children and families."
Finch said they felt warmly welcomed by the Sri Lankan people during the white-ball leg and hoped the tour "helped lift their spirits in some small way".
It's not the first time the Australia side has been moved by events bigger than cricket during a tour, with Cummins and Cricket Australia both donating $50,000 for oxygen supplies during India's COVID-19 crisis in 2021 that resulted in the postponement of the Indian Premier League.
"Last year Australian cricketers got behind India in its time of crisis during the peak of the COVID-19 Delta wave and we thank them for again giving generously to help Sri Lankans impacted by the current crisis," UNICEF Australia CEO Tony Stuart said.
"Australia has a strong bond with Sri Lanka that goes beyond the match days and this donation is gratefully received to support the long-term wellbeing of Sri Lanka's families."
The tour of Sri Lanka was Australia's first since 2016 with the visitors winning the T20 series 2-1 before the hosts claimed the ODI series 3-2, with the two-Test series in Galle squared 1-1.
Anthony Thursday, 11 August 2022 12:04 PM
WE HAVE TO LEARN FROM THIS. THNAKS A LOT AUSTRALIAN CRICKET TEAM WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL.
Man of the Match. Thursday, 11 August 2022 12:18 PM
The SL Cricketers, past and present, don't have such Charitable minds?
Nimalan Thursday, 11 August 2022 12:29 PM
Hats-off
Vipn B Thursday, 11 August 2022 12:34 PM
This is a great act of generosity. But it will go to a politician, not to those who need help.
Lankan Thursday, 11 August 2022 12:50 PM
A noble gesture, Thank you Australian Cricket team.
freddy foxx Thursday, 11 August 2022 12:53 PM
This is really great. On behalf of the UN's Children Fund, thank you to the Aussie sportsmen. I remember when I was a school boy, another cricketing GREAT - IAN HEALY, the man behind the stumps who contributed by himself complete a decent house to the changing room guy at the Colombo Oval.
freddy foxx Thursday, 11 August 2022 12:53 PM
This is really great. On behalf of the UN's Children Fund, thank you to the Aussie sportsmen. I remember when I was a school boy, another cricketing GREAT - IAN HEALY, the man behind the stumps who contributed by himself complete a decent house to the changing room guy at the Colombo Oval.
sam Thursday, 11 August 2022 01:01 PM
Thank you much appreciated. Hope it has not gone to wrong hands
Triple X Thursday, 11 August 2022 01:02 PM
Will the former Sports Minister learn from them and donate ( Give back ) some from the looted money .
S.Dayan Thursday, 11 August 2022 01:25 PM
Thank you Austrlian team for your generosity. You are true friends of Sri Lanka and always extend your love and care. Thank you again..may friendship last long..cheers.
WTH Thursday, 11 August 2022 01:27 PM
Many thanks to the Australian cricket team.
Ram Thursday, 11 August 2022 01:28 PM
There is a huge risk in this donation. Will it be used for the purpose intended by the cricketers. I have my doubts
Seb Thursday, 11 August 2022 03:11 PM
That's such a heartwarming thing to do! What a great people!
Nihal Thursday, 11 August 2022 03:31 PM
Appreciate your generosity.
Puriton Thursday, 11 August 2022 03:46 PM
Thank you Australia for your generosity. We will appoint Mr. G. Piller to oversee tge distribution of funds.
Cam Kay Thursday, 11 August 2022 03:58 PM
Why we go after begging from all over the world when we can fix our economic problems ourselves. 1. Eliminate looters 2. Work with Tamil diaspora brotheren in re-shaping the country’s economy....the result will be almost immediate. Sri Lanka will be really great even better than Singapore!!!
Priyantha Dharmawickrema Thursday, 11 August 2022 04:35 PM
GOD BLESS YOU ALL !!!! May the bonds between AU and LK will cherish further.
Ceylonese Thursday, 11 August 2022 06:32 PM
Though Sri Lanka boasts about it's 2500 year civilisation Australia which is around 235 years old having almost the same population of 25 million people as Sri Lanka has always come to Sri Lanka's rescue by providing financial aid during a time of crisis. In addition to donating all the prize money earned by the cricketers during their recent tour of Sri Lanka the Government of Australia has recently also provided millions of financial aid free Covid-19 vaccines surgical instruments and in recent years even drones and speed boats to stop Sri Lanka asylum seekers fleeing to Australia illegally.
Zushy Thursday, 11 August 2022 11:11 PM
What a wonderful gesture indeed a game played by Gentleman
Kirra Ngarra Friday, 12 August 2022 06:23 AM
In the same way please give back the Aboriginal land of Australia to the Aboriginals.
murthy Friday, 12 August 2022 09:26 AM
Thankyou Australia- I bow my head down
S B Lokuge Friday, 12 August 2022 10:59 AM
Hope our cricketing greats like Sanga. Mahela, Arjuna, Sanath follow the Aussie generosity.
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