Members of Sri Lanka’s historic 1996 World Cup–winning team will gather in Kuala Lumpur this May to mark the 30th anniversary of their triumph, it was reported.
According to a report by Free Malaysia Today, the celebrations will be hosted at the Royal Selangor Club, beginning with a gala dinner on May 15, followed by an exhibition match on May 16 at the Bukit Kiara ground, where the Sri Lankans will face a Rest of the World side.
Organizers say the event is designed to inspire as much as it commemorates. Former Malaysian cricketer Devindran Ramanathan, who is helping shape the programme, stressed that the reunion must create opportunities for young players. “This is not just about a World Cup win,” he said. “It is about showing young players what is possible.”
As part of the initiative, about 20 Orang Asli schoolboys from Hulu Perak will be brought to Kuala Lumpur to take part in a coaching clinic conducted by the Sri Lankan legends.
Each participant requires sponsorship of RM500, with organizers aiming to raise RM10,000 to support the youngsters and provide equipment over the next three months. Devindran emphasized, “The real impact is not the match or the dinner. It is whether a young player leaves believing they can go further.”
Former Malaysian captain Selvaratnam Karunakarer added that the deeper value of the gathering lies in what it can spark: “For young players, especially those outside traditional pathways, that connection can shift how they see the sport. It reduces distance. It makes the game feel reachable.”
The reunion also recalls one of cricket’s most defining chapters. On March 17, 1996, under the floodlights of Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Sri Lanka stunned Australia to win their first World Cup. Chasing 242, Aravinda de Silva’s unbeaten 107 and captain Arjuna Ranatunga’s calm leadership sealed victory, while the aggressive batting of Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana throughout the tournament reshaped one-day cricket.
Three decades later, that triumph continues to resonate, not just as a memory, but as a reminder that cricket’s pathways are open to those willing to challenge convention. (Newswire/ Free Malaysia Today)