The Murali harmony Cup is a unique Cricket tournament conceptualized to develop and encourage school cricketers in Sri Lanka’s rural areas, especially in the conflict affected North & East, as well as promoting community building, the development of cross-cultural friendships and the creation of goodwill and harmony within Sri Lankan Society. The tournament, developed and managed by the foundation of Goodness and Red Dot Tours, was first staged in year 2011 at Seenigama. In this first year it included five overseas schools playing against three local teams from Seenigama, Matale & Jaffna. The tournament had been a great success, providing a diverse mix of children from different backgrounds with a rich and memorable experience.
The following year, in 2012, Sri Lanka was hosting the ICC World Twenty20 which presented a unique opportunity to change the focus of the tournament towards domestic schools. Cricket legends Mahela Jayawardana and Kumar Sangakkara suggested that the entire tournament be taken to the North. Two legendary cricketers proposed that the best way to develop cricket in the North & East was by inviting teams from all corners of Sri Lanka to play in the areas of Kilinochchi, Mankulam, Vavuniya, Mullaithivu & Jaffna. It would encourage and inspire talented cricketers as well as providing a unique opportunity for cricketers from South to gain a life-enriching experience.
The 2013 tournament was played from 1 to 5 November and included Sri Lanka’s leading under 19 schoolboy teams from all regions of Sri Lanka. These schools competed with combined schools’ squads from northern and eastern provinces. All matches were played in post-conflict school venues in Mankulam, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi & Jaffna. Tournament was played in five groups; three boys groups and two ladies groups where altogether 20 teams participated including eight ladies teams and twelve boys’ teams.
Team Grouping
Jaffna – Group C at St patrick’s College (Boys)
1. Jaffna combined schools
2. Mannar / Vuvuniya Combined schools
3. St Peter’s College - Colombo
4. Anuradhapura Centra College
Kilinochchi - Group E at Central College Grounds (Boys)
1. Kilinochchi combned Schools
2. Battiacaloa / Trinco Combined schools
3. Trinity College - Kandy
4. Cricket Seenigama
Oddusuddan – Group D at IODR Oval (Boys)
1. Mullaitivu Combined tem
2. Richmond College- Galle
3. St Sebastian’s College – Katuneriya
4. Uva Province Combined Team
Mankulam – Group A at Mankulam MV Grounds ( Ladies)
1. Seenigama Ladies
2. Colombo Colts Ladies
3. Nittambuwa Ladies
4. Eastern Province Ladies
Vavuniya – Group B at Vavuniya Central College (Ladies)
1. Northern province Ladies
2. Shakthi Ladies - Anuradhapura
3. Army Ladies
4. North Central Province Ladies
Sri Lankan cricket legends Mahela Jayawardana and Kumar Sangakkara were present on different dates and graced the tournament. District Secretary Kilinochchi Mrs. R Ketheeswaran and world famous Sri Lankan cricket legend Muthiah Muralidaran were the Chief Guests at the grand finale on 5 November 2013 which was played under fine and very attractive arrangements at Kilinochchi Central college grounds.
Ladies finals was played between Shakthi Ladies – Anuradhapura vs Seenigama ladies and boys finals between St Peter’s College - Colombo vs Trinity College - Kandy. St Peter’s College - Colombo beat Trinity College – Kandy in boys segment where Shakthi Ladies – Anuradhapura beat Colombo Colts Ladies.
Boys
Trinity College – Kandy batting first scored 102 for 9 wickets in their 20 overs and St Peter’s College – Colombo scored 106 runs for 5 wickets with 2 balls to spare. Kavinda Thisera, St Peter’s captain himself was adjudged man of the match for his fine all round performance.
Ladies
Seenigama ladies batting first were bowled out for 74 runs and Shakthi Ladies – Anuradhapura reached the target with 5 wickets in hand. of Shakthi Ladies – Anuradhapura adjudged of the match for his fine all round performance.
A new practice nets constructed at the Central College grounds was also declared open by President Sri Lanka Cricket Mr. Nishantha Ranathunga and Sri Lankan cricket legend Muthiah Muralidaran. School cricketers of Kilinochchi were fortunate to face the bowling by Murali at the opening ceremony. The founder of Foundation of Goodness Mr. Kushil Gunasekara appreciated the service rendered by Security Forces in organizing the event and awarded special tokens of appreciation to all security force commanders and other senior military officials who shouldered the responsibility.
