• I believe you were in this area just a few minutes before the tsunami struck.

No, actually I was coming here to give poor people school bags and stuff like that, we had a small function in this place. I was on the way but halfway through I heard the news and I just turned away. But Kushil was here and he had to run away from the waves to escape.

• And his own house was destroyed?

Yes, that house he (had)maintained as a helping place for the poor people in this village.

• What got you so fully involved? I know you’re a great Sri Lankan icon, so you would be expected to do something, but you’re busy, you’re playing all the time, shooting for commercials if not playing, and also travelling all around the world.

I’m not shooting a lot of commercials, only a few. But as a cricketer, because people have helped us reach this stage and fame, we owe everything to them. We have the talent but spectators have to see the game and we have to give something back.

• And you think you have a strong sense of owing something to the people?

Definitely, because it is they who made you famous, I couldn’t have been what I have become on my own. They have made me famous, so helping people is something you have to do. They have given so much to you.

... contd.