Sri Lanka's '96 WC winners contribute Rs 4 lakh to benevolent fund

Bengaluru, September 1: The 1996 World Cup champion team, who brought glory to Sri Lanka, donated four million rupees to launch the Past Cricketers Benevolent Fund (PCBF) and the fund continues to benefit cricketers who over the years have contributed to Lankan cricket.

Recently two past cricketers, ACM Lafir and Daya Sahabandu, received cash donations for medical cover as a gesture of gratitude for their contribution to the game, reported the Daily News.

In another significant recognition, donation was also given to SA Siripala, the ground boy and subsequently room assistant who worked at the SLC and dedicated his life to cricket.

The 1996 cricket World Cup champions in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Cricketers Association (SLCA) organized a series of events in Sri Lanka and Australia to raise funds for this project and the first beneficiaries of the Past Cricketers Benevolent Fund were renowned cricketers AJ Samarasekara and Russell Hamer.