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Sri Lankan players honoured

Traditional dancers and drummers perform on the occasion

— Photo: AP

BOUQUETS AND SMILES: An elaborate ceremony and a parade through the capital were held in Colombo when the Sri Lankan players returned home on Thursday.

COLOMBO: World Cup runner-up Sri Lankan cricket team was honoured with an elaborate ceremony and a parade through the capital when the players returned home on Thursday.

Traditional dancers and drummers performed near the tarmac as the players descended from a Qatar Airways flight and they were draped with garlands by Sports Minister Bandula Basnayake and other officials.

Buddhist monks, Hindu and Catholic priests, and Muslim clerics performed services to bless the team.

The players were later paraded around the capital, Colombo, in a luxury bus escorted by scores of armed soldiers.

Thousands gather

Cricket is a passion in this war-torn island nation and thousands of people gathered along the 30km stretch of road from the airport to the heart of the city, despite a heavy downpour.

The rain hampered the main outdoor celebration, but a ceremony was held inside Sri Lanka's cricket board.

Good show

"You have brought honour and glory to our country and the whole nation owes you for your wonderful performance," Basnayake told a gathering of cricketers, relatives and fans.

Team captain Mahela Jayawardene thanked his team's fans, saying their support was its greatest strength.

Tight security

There was heightened security around the team following Sunday's rebel air attack on fuel facilities on the outskirts of the city. The air raids took place while many Sri Lankans were watching their team playing Australia in the World Cup final on television.

Meanwhile Sanath Jayasuriya was non-committal about playing in the World Cup's next edition in 2011, saying it was too early to mull the prospect.

Jayasuriya said he needed to contemplate his future while enjoying a break over the next few weeks.

Looking back at the World Cup tournament, the former Sri Lankan captain said: ``I could have done better.'' — Agencies

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