Former Sri Lankan cricket captain Roshan Mahanama is urging New Zealand not to neglect his nation as it goes through one of its toughest times.
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Roshan Mahanama. Photo: The Times of India via AFP
Sri Lanka is in political and financial turmoil, with the government unable to pay its debts, and imports of food and fuel grinding to a halt.
Mahanama played more than 50 test matches and 200 One Day Internationals for Sri Lanka between 1986 and 1999.
He's a household name in the cricket-mad country, a member of their famed 1996 World Cup winning squad.
Amidst the pain, he says cricket has brought in desperately needed foreign exchange and jobs for locals.
But, as he says, in Sri Lanka, cricket is not just a sport.
"Keep in mind that it's a sport that brings foreign exchange to the country, it helps the economy, and people should look at it in that context," Mahanama said.
Over the past month and a half, the Australian men's cricket team have played ten matches in Sri Lanka, the last of which will go down as one of Sri Lanka's greatest Test wins.
Dinesh Chandimal scored Sri Lanka's highest individual score against Australia, 206 not out, and debutant Prabath Jayasuriya took 12 wickets, the third best figures on debut in test history, as the side beat Australia by an innings and 39 runs.
The tour brought much needed joy to the struggling nation, and much needed money into the country.
Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya, centre, celebrates with teammates after taking a wicket during the fourth day of the second cricket Test match in Galle on 11 July. Photo: AFP
Mahanama says bus drivers, luggage handlers, hotel and restaurant workers and many more will have been able to earn desperately needed cash as a result of the tour.
On top of that, Sri Lanka Cricket used some of the proceeds of television payments to donate about NZ$3.2 million to in need hospitals.
Mahanama describes the widespread food, fuel and power shortages as frustrating and disheartening, but he's been doing what he can to help.
"Because my career depended on my fans and people who were there during good and bad times," Mahanama said.
"I feel that I do have a responsibility to be there for them. I've been doing everything possible to show my support and be of some service to people who are going through this hardship."
He's helped donate vital medicines to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital this week, but is warning more essential but basic supplies like cotton wool are still needed.
Protesters outside the office of Sri Lanka's prime minister and acting president Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo on Wednesday. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled the country. Photo: AFP
And he has a message for New Zealand, pointing to the long trade relationship between the two nations.
In 2020, New Zealand exported more than $400m worth of mainly dairy products to Sri Lanka, and imported $60m in tea, clothing and rubber.
"I would like to remind New Zealand that it's benefited by having a healthy trade relationship with Sri Lanka," he said.
"I think, because it's New Zealand that's benefited over the years, to get this message across to the leaders of New Zealand - don't neglect Sri Lanka.
"We want New Zealand to support Sri Lanka, to help us at this critical time."
He says New Zealand could consider donations of milk powder, and New Zealand banks giving credit to struggling Sri Lankan businesses.
