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| Tuesday, 20 January 2004 |
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Momentum gathers to preserve Muralitharan's good name by Dr. Ajith C. S. Perera President's Counsel Eardley Perera indicates: "We have a perfectly justifiable action at law against garrulous, wrongful, unwanted verbal criticism of Bishan Bedi and cabals, whose vituperative attacks on Muttiah Muralitharan's character, an entirely a personal one, not related to cricket, is an international scandal to damage the reputation of our National asset and international charismatic hero. A team of 21 of the most eminent lawyers of Sri Lanka, Australia and the UK are now discussing the legal steps ahead under my direction. Paul Ratnaike Associates as well as Sudath Perera Associates will be the instructing lawyers." As reported in the sports page of the Ceylon Daily News of Tuesday January 6, 2004, this is in response to a request made by its Secretary General Anton Jayasuriya on behalf of the Sri Lanka Cricket Lover's Association, to take legal action to preserve the good name of our ace spin bowler Muralitharan and sue the offenders, singly and severally, for not less than US Dollars one million each." Former Indian Spinner Bishan Bedi has renewed his criticism of Muralitharan just as he picked up another man of the series award with an incredible 26 wickets in the series just ended against England.' In an interview he had with the Australia's National Daily Newspaper "The Australian" last December, Bedi has branded Muralitharan "a burglar, a thief, a dacoit." When asked if this has anything to do with Muralitharan's profession as a world class spin bowler, Jayasuriya said anything concerning his bowling is a matter entirely to decide in the hands of the two field umpires and the match referee, but this libelous assault of Bishan Bedi is entirely a personal one, related in no way to cricket. Jayasuriya further added: "I would say in good old M.C.C. style, 'old chap', this is not cricket (not even boxing or rugger) and my dear Bishan if you went to Lord's, there are only two entrances, one for the 'players' and the other for 'gentlemen' (45 years ago when I went there), you will not be admitted there even through the toilet entrance in spite of your verbal and a.. diarrhoea in having to pay soon, I hope, one million US dollars as damages." Jayasuriya then stepped aside and whispered very softly in my ear and said, not to be repeated: "I have a very good and highly effective local needle for this type of stinking diarrhoea." He also reminded of an ancient Chinese saying: "one small needle cures a thousand illnesses, (that includes verbal diarrhoea as well)". In a serious note Jayasuriya further said: "As the most senior practising rheumatologist and acupuncturist of this country, I know all about joints and their movements. I have been travelling all over the world teaching people 'my game', for well over half a century. Often I have seen Muralitharan in play world over from Melbourne to London. I do not see anything wrong with his bowling action - neither the old nor the latest new delivery. However, it is the on-field umpire, the authority who is there appointed who can decide on this and certainly it is not for bystanders or buffoons or buffaloes, (a personal remark)." |
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