Article author:
Associated Press
Krishan Francis
Goal, Sri Lanka (AP) — The sport of cricket has become a welcome pastime for Sri Lankans seeking to escape the economic impact. National Crisis — With little access to public transport, a long line to buy fuel, cooking gas, schools and jobs was interrupted.
Cricket-obsessed South Asian island nations are facing the worst economic crisis in their recent memory, enduring a serious shortage of food, fuel and medicine. The government has closed schools and universities and restricted fuel supplies.
"Yes, there are problems in the country. People are getting poorer and powerless with all sorts of problems. We live a monotonous life and sometimes I spent five, six or seven days on the fuel line, "said Ujith Nilantha, who saw the first test between Sri Lanka and Australia with his 10-year-old son in the southern city goal last week. ..
"Children are not happy and cannot provide what they need. Looking at this (cricket) brings spiritual healing," said the energy crisis. Niransa, who lost his life in the tourism sector after his arrival at, added.
Nilantha said she was planning to propose to her son to play cricket, an expensive game by Sri Lankan standards, but the economic crisis changed her life rapidly and her plans. Was shattered.
"We love cricket, but we can't spend all our time on cricket because of employment issues, but seeing cricket relieves some of the pressure. Cricket, a legacy from British colonists, has become part of Sri Lanka's local culture, as well as many South Asian and Caribbean countries. I am. It has been regarded as a uniting factor for a country torn by racial, religious and political discord.
Even the bloody quarter-century civil war did not hinder the progress of sports in Sri Lanka and beyond.
The now defeated Tamil Tigers rebel group, who fought for an independent state, silenced their weapons for the 1996 World Cup final, when Sri Lanka defeated Australia to win the title. ..
Teenager Theekshana Nethumaksila was at Goal's scenic cricket ground, traveling by train from the neighboring city of Matara.
16-year-old Nethumaksila will take a public exam this year, but the school is closed and she cannot prepare properly.
"We only have cricket when we are sad," he said. "We come to see cricket and get out of our head."
Before proceeding with the tour, the Australian cricket team traveled to Sri Lanka and was local even with basic needs. I had to consider whether it was ethical to play when people were struggling without electricity. The
tour included a three-game Twenty20 International series won by Australia and a five-game one-day international series won by Sri Lanka 3-2.
The Australian team's decision to go on tour was to entertain them in their fifth day of the match last month, wearing yellow clothes, the color of the Australian ODI uniform. I got praise from the fans who thank me. And send a positive message about Sri Lanka to the world.
Some Australian players have returned their favors. Many, led by Captain Pat Cummins, said they used social media to appreciate the flood of support they received from Sri Lankan fans.
Australia wins the first test match with 10 wickets and Sri Lanka has a chance to square the series when the tour ends with the second test starting on Friday. This was also done at the goal.
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