Sri Lankan sports stars are rallying behind the national team competing for the cricket World Cup in the West Indies with a mass gathering set for Monday.
Former top players Aravinda de Silva and Hashan Tillekeratne, along with a host of other cricketers, are to take part in the ceremony to wish Sri Lanka good luck in their semi-final clash with New Zealand the following day.
"We will gather to wish our cricketers well", Tillekeratne told AFP. Skipper Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara are to join the ceremony at the Nondescript Cricket Club ground here via a telephone link just hours before they take on the Kiwis, Tillekeratne said.
"It is a show of encouragement and support," Tillekeratne said, adding that leading figures from other sports such as rugby, tennis, swimming and athletics were also expected.
The Sri Lankans play New Zealand in the first World Cup semi-final on Tuesday in Jamaica in their quest to repeat their 1996 tournament victory. The veteran cricket broadcaster Premasara Epasinghe said New Zealand would be demoralised after a crushing defeat at the hands of Australians.
Epasinghe said the emphatic Australian win over the Kiwis had once again underlined their superior mental and physical fitness, which the Sri Lankans need to be aware of and must match, should they meet in the final.
Ranjan Paranavithana, a well-known cricket writer and coach, said that New Zealand's defeat without their main bowling weapon Shane Bond might not have been a true reflection of the Kiwis' capabilities.
"Sri Lankans can be happy that New Zealand received a drubbing from Australia, but the Kiwis will raise their game in the semi-final".
Paranavithana said that Bond's pace and bounce were factors that the Sri Lankan top order had to be aware of.
"He is fresh after skipping a tough match against the Aussies," he said. "Sabina Park pitch should assist Bond."
Hashan Tillekeratne, a former captain and a member of the victorious 1996 team said the recent history of games between the two sides would give Sri Lanka the edge.
Sri Lanka have won seven of the past nine games against the Kiwis, including their highly accomplished performance in the Grenada Super Eight game.
"Our bowling has the balance and the required penetration. We should win if our batsmen play to their potential to put pressure on New Zealand," Tillekeratne said.