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We can rebuild churches or hotels but can’t bring back lives: Chaminda Vaas

Terror & Tragedy: Sri Lanka’s Herath, Vaas say bomb attacks will only strengthen Island nation

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Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath (L) and Chaminda Vaas in Mumbai on Tuesday
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Three days after Sri Lanka were rocked by multiple blasts that claimed close to 300 lives and injuring 500 others, cricketing greats Chaminda Vaas and Rangana Herath called for unity and rebuilding.

Expressing dismay and shock, the duo said the need of the hour was to stay strong. “So sad to see. We never thought these kind of things will happen in Sri Lanka. It is a lovely country and hospitable. People are very friendly. It is so tragic to see such things happen,” Vaas said here on Tuesday.

“We need to rebuild. We can rebuild churches or hotels but we can’t bring back lives. I am sure the Sri Lankan government and the people will be very united this time and make sure that we stick together,” he said.

Vaas and Herath are in Mumbai to inaugurate Mitsui Shoji T20, a local cricket tournament organised by Jwala Singh.

One of the best left-arm spinners of his time, Herath said his country needs to stay strong during such times. “We need to convey our deepest sympathies and condolences. As Chaminda said, we are a united country. We have a panic situation but (we are sure that) we (will) become a strong country,” Herath said.

Vaas hoped that the situation will return to normal. “This attack can happen anywhere in the world. We saw in New Zealand recently as well. These people don’t have simply one place (and) they can attack anywhere in the world. I am pretty sure that things will go back to normal.”

‘India will reach semis’

Vaas predicted that India will make the semifinals of the upcoming Cricket World Cup.

“Indian cricket has been dominating in the last two-three years. They have good back-up fast bowlers. They will do wonders. Indian team is very balanced. They will do well. My prediction is India will definitely reach the semifinals,” Vaas said.

The pacer with 400 ODI and 355 Test wickets, however, was not open about Sri Lanka’s chances though. “For the last few months, Sri Lanka haven’t done so well. But if you analyse the combination of the team that we picked for the World Cup, I’m pretty sure that the selectors have done the right thing. We have to take it from there and it’s up to the players to get themselves in and play well for the country. There is no doubt that Lasith Malinga is one of the best in the world and the best in Sri Lanka. We depend on him as a bowler and he showed his leadership qualities.”

On the new captain Dimuth Karunatratne, Vaas said his nation would stand united behind the him. “Well, it is very difficult to say anything about it because for the past six months we (Sri Lanka) have been selecting captains and the captains haven’t given anything to the team. We lack in experience I’m pretty sure that the team will unite and will do well in the upcoming World Cup,” he hoped.

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