Sri Lanka National team donates Rs. 1 million towards flood relief

Sri Lanka is currently playing England in the first of the three Test matches at Headingley

The current crop of Sri Lankan cricketers, who are currently touring England for a three-match Test series, have officially donated 1 million Sri Lankan rupees ($ 6,816) in a humble effort to help the flood victims back home. The island nation of Sri Lanka was hit by the first tropical cyclone of the season named Roanu a few days ago. According to the latest reports, a total of 38 people have  been killed with another 200 odd families are missing due to a series of mudslides.

Moreover, it has been also reported that more than 2,00,000 families have been displaced due to the wrath of the cyclone. The funds that have been raised by the Sri Lankan players will come in handy in their quest to provide potable water, medical supplies, bed sheets, undergarments, towels, sanitary napkins along with other essentials to the victim families.

The Sri Lankan captain, Angelo Matthews expressed his distress and concerns about the flood victims through a short message that was aired on national television. “We are shocked and saddened to hear of the floods and landslides… We love you all and our thoughts and prayers are with you,” he said. The 28-year-old Sri Lankan all-rounder had also tweeted the following:

Thoughts and prayers are with those who are affected by landslides and floods in srilanka.We are with you all.#weather

— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) May 18, 2016

The news of the donations was officially announced by the spokesman of the Sri Lankan cricket team, Chandrishan Perera at the end of the first day's play against the Three Lions. Here is what he had to say: “The Sri Lanka team has decided given the situation in Sri Lanka that they will contribute one million rupees to the flood victims back home as a team. It was a decision made this (Thursday) morning between the captain (Mathews) and the rest of the side.”

Rain plays spoilsport on Day 1 as England score 171 for 5

Sri Lanka is currently playing England in the first of the three Test matches of Investec Test Series at Headingley. Steered by the terrific bowling performance of Dasun Shanaka, the Sri Lankan team had put enough pressure on England at the end of the day's play, having scored just 171 runs at the end of Day 1. 

The 24-year-old Sri Lankan debutant, Dasun Shanaka dismissed the English Test captain, Alastair Cook who was just 20 runs away from record 10,000 runs to clinch his first Test wicket.