Bothan walks … and walks for CHARITY

Hannah Betts in the Daily Telegraph, …. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/children_shealth/9216735/On-the-road-for-Ian-Bothams-10000-mile-odyssey.html

Botham at Mankulam

Botham, Kushil & David Cruse at Lauereaus media event

ir Ian Botham has mouldy toenails. He also has rather beautiful calves; both doubtless the product of his 27-year pounding of almost 10,000 miles of the British landscape in a mission to raise £13 million and counting for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. This week, he is walking 150 miles between Glasgow and London, arriving at his final destination today. And so I find myself in a Manchester bedroom admiring said calves, while Rooster, his trusty physio, places ice cubes between the Botham toes, the scent of man-sweat hanging in the room.

Time was when being in Beefy’s bedroom might have held more racy connotations, reminiscent of the tabloid fantasy in which he broke a bed with Miss Barbados. Rest assured, today not only is his wife of 36 years, Kath, now Lady Botham, in the bath next door, his two-year-old grandson Kieran is playing next to him, his aunt Sarah keeping him entertained, while Botham’s mother-in-law stands chuckling behind me.

For the legendary England all-rounder’s walks are a multi-generational jamboree that goes some way to compensate for the time he used to spend absent on foreign tours (up to five months a trip). Indeed, the only occasion he is at a loss for words is when

Mahela and Kumar: Two Kings bearing Gifts

Steve Brown

More than 250 people attended the Knox Tavern recently for the fundraiser in aid of the Foundation of Goodness, the special guests being Sri Lankan superstars Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, who hold the world record for any wicket in Test match history and responsible for in excess of 45,000 international runs.

The evening was hosted by well-known cricket author, the quick whited Gideon Haigh who created plenty humour and friendly banter.    Following a video presentation of the achievements and work of the Foundation of Goodness in Sri Lanka, post tsunami, founder of the charity, Kushil Gunasekera, thanked everyone for their attendance,

Cricket Australia’s Chairman, Wally Edwards, Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide, both former Australian Test players and Sri Lankan Cricket Foundation of Victoria Chairman, Dr Quintus DeZylva were also present, lending their support.

Sangakkara addressed the audience first and he opened his innings by promising not to speak for one hour and ten minutes as he did in his address to the MCC at Lords in London last year. A polished performer, those in the room would not have minded if he broke his promise as he had the audience in his hands, with a personal plea for compassion in regards to the village of Seenigama, and for the new projects in the war torn north of Sri Lanka.

Peter Roebuck’s foster-sons seek share of his African estate

Ravindra Pushpakumara in search of talent in Mullaitivu

News Item in The Sunday Island, 4 March 2012

A talent search was conducted in Mullaitivu district with the aid of Sri Lanka Army by World Cup winning fast bowler Ravindra Pushpakumara. The picture on left shows Pushpakumara, who is a Provincial Coach attached to Sri Lanka Cricket responsible for the development work in North and East Provinces showing how to bowl the in-swinger. In the other picture, Security Commander of Mullaitivu district Major General L. B. R. Mark is seen alongside Brigade Commander Brigadier Ranjith Samarasinghe and General Staff Officer 59 Division Lieutenant Colonel Sanjaya Wanasinghe.

Lampooning Indian Cricketers as Asylum-Seekers

Harry Solomons and Friends renew Aid and Fellowship with FOG at Seenigama

 

   ALSO SEE iimages of Michael Clarke’s visit to FOG at http://www.flickr.com/photos/thuppahi/6115324312/in/photostream/

Shelley Wickremasinghe: A Giant of a Man

Mahinda Wijesinghe

The passing away of 86-year old Shelley Wickremasinghe on 11 August 2011 was yet another instance of the law of the world in operation, that “all compounded phenomena are subject to change.” Or expressed in lay terms: a mighty oak had fallen. Shelley was known to me for over 40 years and was always amazed at his composure when faced with the many vicissitudes he faced in life – and solved. Attempting to pay a deserving tribute to a multi-faceted personality who reached the zenith of all his worldly pursuits is a well-nigh insurmountable task. Reminds me of the Jataka Story when a squirrel strained to empty the mighty ocean with its little tail.

As we all know, he was an outstanding and a pioneering engineer of repute, a loving husband, a caring father and was a tower of strength not only to his own siblings but also to his in-laws, and the grandchildren whom he simply adored. Indeed, just a couple of days before his demise, and despite his failing health, the Wickremasinghe godfather had taken all of them out for dinner – stating that “this time it is going to be my treat.” However, I hope the family would not take much offence when I say that his devotion and services to Bloomfield came a fairly close second to his family duties and obligations. Remember, he served the club as President during the many turbulent years so ably for over 25 years, probably a record without parallel.

Murali and Kushil raise Monies for Mankulam Venture in Los Angeles

Nandasena Jasentuliyana

It takes an Organizing Committee Chairman like Mohan Chandramohan, the successful businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, to make a fundraiser, not only classy and enjoyable, but to raise large sums of money for a good cause.

Pic of Chandramohan, Murali and Kushil

Well known champion fast bowler of Sri Lankan and World Cricket, Murali is not only the Manager of the Foundation of Goodness in Sri Lanka, but he is a spokesman who has a passion for this organization which was started in Seenigama (near Hikkaduwa) in 1999 by Kushil Gunasekera who is the Founder.  The Foundation of Goodness is aptly named, and as Murali puts it, “Be Good, Do Good”.  Their trip toLos Angeleswas organized by Mohan through his friendship with Ajith “Ando” Dias.  The fundraiser was sponsored by the Sri Lanka America Association of Southern California and the Sri Lanka Foundation.  There were also many others in the Committee who helped make this event a success.

 The Foundation of Goodness is dedicated to taking care of the needs of the underprivileged, with health, well being, community development, sports development, housing and education as some of their aims.  Murali, as Manager and spokesman, gives inspiration to others to do what they can to help brighten the lives of those who would otherwise be forgotten.  The President ofSri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa generously allocated 50 acres in Mankulam for this project which will help those in the North and East of Sri Lanka.

Kushil and Murali reach out for FOG in Los Angeles

There was fund raising event in LOS ANGELES on the 13^th August for FOG organised by a cross-ethnic body of Sri Lankans with Murali and Kushil as stars; and I received this note from Naj Nagendran, one of the chief organisers:

 Pic of Kushil and MuralI with American college students and Helen Brohier ( FoG, pre-school head) who volunteered at the event

“Michael, The event was successful – 530 attended. Aravinda De Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya joined Murali in LA. Kushil was as usual impressive in showcasing what has been achieved in Seenigama and the progress so far in the Mankulam project. His appeals for funds was well received and excess of $ 200,000 in donations is expected. Murali was very passionate   in his appeal for the Northern project

 They are heading to San Fransisco for similar fundraising events.’” NAGE

 Pic of Kushil with Carl Strecker ( movie producer) who has visited Seenigama post tsunami with medical team and producer of latest  FoG video

 This video is a must see … and must circulate to friends who are not buried in the caverns of bitterness and anger that disable them fromseeing any progress in sri Lanka. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egUNMCg-izM&feature=related

Do also visit the FOG sie for reports on what is being done, step by step, at Mankulam. SEE http://foundationofgoodness.org/m-sectors_north.php. I have jsut got a report from Anura de Silva re the Third Training Camp at Mankulam Maha Vidyalayam –repeat vidyalayam — where training was provided for 12 girls in netball, 22 and 15 boys in cricket and volleyball respectively.

The following are the web references for the Mankulam reports/pics.

*http://www.unconditionalcompassion.org/sub/20110712_2ndCoaching.php

* http://www.unconditionalcompassion.org/sub/201100614_fristever.php

FOG reaches out to schoolchildren at Mankulam: sports training camp

A Report from Anura de Silva, who directs this type of work at Seenigama, dated 6 June 2011

 Photo collage of the 1st Sports Coaching Camp held at Mankulam Maha Vidyalaya Grounds in Mankulam from 02-05 June’ 2011.

As decided cricket, volleyball and netball were the sports that were selected for this initial training camp and the Foundation Coaches – Anjula Mendis/ assisted by Rod McCabe (cricket), Jayan Manoj (volleyball) and Nadeeka Dilrukshi (netball) conducted the sessions.

35 boys attended the cricket, 30 (15 girls/15 boys) the volleyball and 20 (girls) the netball clinics respectively. All the students were from Mankulam Maha Vidyalaya and the age group was 10-18 years.

Training was conducted on the following lines.

a). Netball  : 1. Running drills and continue runs
                    2. Moving practice
                    3. Ball handling
                    4. Developing skills
                    5. Shooting and three feet practice
                    6. Games
                    7. Warm up, warm down and stretching