Colombo, May 09: Sri Lanka's President and Prime Minister led millions of fans here today to congratulate star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for breaking the world record for Test match wickets. President Chandrika Kumaratunga said she was impressed by Muralitharan's "courage and determination" in facing "challenges and adversaries," a reference to being called for throwing by an Australian umpire. "I join all Sri Lankans in expressing our pride and delight that you are the first Sri Lankan to establish a world record in Test cricket," Kumaratunga said in a message sent to Muralitharan who is playing in Zimbabwe.
The controversial spinner affectionately known as Murali smashed through Courtney Walsh's record of 519 victims in Harare yesterday as Sri Lanka crushed Zimbabwe in the first Test by an innings and 240 runs.
He finished the game with match figures of 8-92 to take his career tally to 520. "May you and the Sri Lankan cricket team have the ability to improve its position and take Sri Lanka's name further in international fame," said Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse. Sri Lanka cricket president Mohan De Silva said the record was even better because of the obstacles Muralitharan faced and vowed that the governing body of the sport here will "be a pillar of strength to him." Bureau Report