Elle is Sri Lanka's version of baseball but the ball is smaller and the bat is replaced by a long bamboo stick.Baseball was introduced to Sri Lanka in 1985, and since then it has progressed steadily with twelve schools and eight clubs actively involved in the sport.
Sri lankans have the greatest chance of witnessing World Cup matches at two venues in the year 2011. The two venues are: Suriyawewa Grounds at Hambantota and Pallekele Stadium will be ready for the matches and the construction work is in progress on the initiative taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Sri Lanka will now have seven venues for international matches.
"Our netballers brought honour and glory, winning the Asian Netball Championships held in Singapore in 2008. The Sports Ministry funded the Sri Lanka Netball team on the advice of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Special development programmes in all districts are being implemented for the promotion of sporting activities."
"These programmes have greatly benefited the rural schoolchildren to show their hidden talent. These programmes will be continued further for the benefit of the schoolchildren", Minister said.
The International race track at Hambantota too would give an opportunity for rural folks to witness international events and would also usher porosity to the area.
Minister said that for the first time in the region an altitude training centre is being constructed at Nuwara Eliya to train both local and foreign athletes. "The venue adjoining Nuwara Eliya golf track would also have hostel facilities of international standard bring revenue to the government as well," he said.
This was a project that was talked for almost 15 years and now it would be a reality next year.
Minister said that most of the sports bodies were run by interim boards due to internal conflicts. "We have also mediated and these bodies are now being administrated by associations," he said.
A new 400 meter track and a swimming pool are being constructed in Dickwella to cater to rural youth and 10 public playgrounds are being built several areas including a complete stadium in Piliyandala. He said that the Torrington Sports Complex too is being developed while all sports venues in the Colombo District are being developed to meet high standards. "The Schools sports activities too have been looked in to and we are closely working with the Ministry and providing all assistance for that," he said.
Muttiah Muralitharan, who was ruled out during the World Twenty20 due to a groin injury, also hasn't been picked. Sri Lanka have drafted in allrounder Jeewan Mendis, who's been in his country's domestic circuit for almost ten years but is yet to make a international appearance. Also featuring in the squad of 15 is left-handed batsman Lahiru Thirimanne, who played for Sri Lanka in two ODIs in Bangladesh in January.
Returning to the squad are opener Upul Tharanga, middle-order batsman Chamara Silva and fast bowler Dilhara Fernando, who were not picked for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.
The tournament gets underway in Bulawayo on May 28, with Zimbabwe taking on India in the opener.
Sri Lanka squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Chamara Kapugedera, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Ajantha Mendis, Jeevan Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Chamara Silva, Thissira Perera.
reference:-http://www.cricinfo.com/zim-tri2010/content/story/460370.html
