The Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai & Northern Emirates in association with “Lanka Lions Sport Club” which is Sri Lanka’s key sports association that has been operating in Dubai over the last four decades hosted a dinner reception to the visiting Sri Lanka cricket team on 21st October 2017 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai. Over 300 guests participated at the event including Sri Lanka’s national Cricket team, foreign dignitaries, office bearers and members of Lanka Lions Sports Club as well as other various Sri Lankan associations together with large number of Sri Lankan expatriates based in Dubai and Northern Emirates.
Welcoming the Sri Lankan Cricket Team and the foreign dignitaries gathered at the event, the Consul General Charitha Yattogoda conveyed nation’s appreciation for the Sri Lankan test cricket team over their great victory of both the test matches played against the Pakistan cricket team, 
particularly in the UAE grounds which are considered to be Pakistan’s home ground over last seven years, while reassuring the constant support of all the Sri Lankans based in the UAE to the Sri Lankan cricketers, in spite of their recent fall backs in the format of one day cricket.
The Manager of the Sri Lankan Cricket Team Mr. Asanka Gurusinghe, speaking at the event, reiterated the crowd that the Sri Lankan cricket team will gain its lost pace once again and the path will be cleared to the past days of glory.
The evening was full of music and the traditional Sri Lankan dances performed by Meshan Dissanayake Dancing Academy. A special video clip displaying the talents of the Sri Lankan Cricket Team in 1996 was also displayed at the event to boost the confidence of the Sri Lankan players in the upcoming matches.
At the event, special awards were given by the Olcott Schools Union in UAE to Mr. Rangana Herath for his exceptional achievement in taking 400 test wickets and; to Mr. Dinesh Chandimal and Mr. Upul Tharanga in their capacities as test and one day captains. The former Sri Lankan cricketers as well as current fast bowling & batting coaches of the Sri Lankan team Mr. Rumesh Ratnayake and Mr. Hashan Thilakarathne along with the commentator Mr.Russel Arnold also participated at the event in addition to Mr. Nic Pothas, Sri Lanka’s head Coach.
Representing Pakistan, the Consul General of Pakistan to Dubai and Northern Emirates H.E. Mr. Zyed Javed Hassen and the former Pakistani Captain Mr. Rameez Raja participated at the event. The other VIP dignitaries were consisted of leading businessmen in the UAE.