Kumar Sangakkara's speaking truth to power might have raised the hackles of Sri Lanka's cricket establishment. But the President of his country has praise for the stylish meditation the former captain delivered to a distinguished audience at Lord's on July 4.
Here is the relevant excerpt from President Rajapaksa's interview given to me at Temple Trees in Colombo on July 22:
Q: Mr. President, what is your view of Kumar Sangakkara's MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture?
A: It's a very good lecture. I appreciate it.
Q: About both cricket and country?
A: On cricket, it's what he feels about it. There are others who don't agree with him, on that part. But he can express his views. About the country, he has said it. Now, no one has taken that part of it where he criticised the LTTE as terrorists. He spoke about the terrorists of Sri Lanka whereas some locals are trying to show the LTTE as our freedom-fighters!
Q: And he spoke about the equality of all Sri Lankans, Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, and Burgher.
A: Yes, we treat them all alike; that's what he said. It was a very good speech. I appreciate it.
(Sangakkara's The 2011 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture can be heard at >www.thehindu.com )
