muralitheren

WFP partner Muttiah Muralitharan’s record-breaking performances on the cricket pitch have not only changed the face of his sport, but have given hope to a nation torn by 21 years of civil war.

Muralitharan’s mastery of spin bowling, which has made him the second most prolific wicket-taker in cricket history, bridges Sri Lanka’s ethnic divide: a member of the Tamil minority, “Murali” is equally popular with the Sinhala majority.

The best thing we can give children is education. This will equip them when they grow up to become full citizens of their country

Muttiah Muralitharan

In November 2004, Muralitharan went out to bat for WFP, touring the agency’s field projects in war-damaged northern Sri Lanka, and handing out cricket sets to children who receive free meals from WFP in return for going to school.

“The malnutrition these children are suffering is plain to see,” says Muralitharan.

“The war robbed them of both their physical development and their education. But the meals they get in school are a godsend.

"They get the good food they need to fill their stomachs and then they can concentrate on their lessons.”

On 8 May 2004, Muralitharan broke West Indian Courtney Walsh's record for taking the greatest number of test wickets, which at the time stood at 519.