It's so all-encompassing that even the visitors from India some still literally sleep-walking clearly seem overwhelmed by what welcomes them as soon as they disembark from the early-morning flight. Those from more cricket-impaired backgrounds therefore can certainly be pardoned then for the mystified glances that they throw in various directions. The Bangladeshis may have warmed up to their maiden tryst with the sport's marquee event in dramatic fashion by hosting a memorable opening ceremony. On the other hand,the World Cup mania might not have hit fever-pitch as yet in India. In Sri Lanka,however,the anticipation for cricket's quadrennial extravaganza hits you right in the face,as soon as you step into the Bandaranaike Airport. While Stumpy,the mascot,welcomes you by proclaiming that it was indeed time to pad up,not far away,some of the country's biggest cricketing superstars along with a couple of them from foreign lands are already padded up and looking poised to showcase their skills on the biggest stage in life-size cut-outs lined-up on either side of the arrival terminal. Even the customary welcome signboards,carrying pictures of graceful women going Ayubowan (Welcome in Sinhalese) are accompanied with slogans about Sri Lanka winning the World Cup. And one of the immigration officer s most of whom invariably turn out to be cricket fans in this part of the world hardly bats an eyelid,especially after realising the purpose of your visit,while stressing that the whole of the Emerald Isle was anxiously awaiting an encore of the historic 1996 title-win,while adding,"Similar setup and a similar build-up to last time. The eventual result will also be the same unless you Indians spoil our party." The duty-free shops that are strewn across the terminal too seem to be caught up in the World Cup build-up by displaying pictorial representations of each of the 14 participating nations. They are also making the most of it though,offering select prizes for those offering their support to the national team by splurging on Sri Lankan jerseys or other memorabilia. The streets of the capital and the long stretch between Colombo to the rural town of Hambantota,which will play host to the first two World Cup matches to be held in the country,too,are equally symptomatic of the hype around the only affair occupying everybody's thoughts here presently. With the dreadful war years well behind them,the Sri Lankans are evidently putting up a united front in throwing their collective weight behind Kumar Sangakkara & Co. I am Sri Lanka is clearly what the whole country seems to be shouting out in unison. And those words are posted all over the place accompanied by pictures of those who literally hold the entire country's fortunes in their hands over the next couple of months. Dilshan a cinestar Meanwhile,director Suneth Malinga Lokuhewa seems to have timed the release of his movie,Sinhawaloknaya A Cricketing Love Story,to perfection. The period film,which is supposed to be along the lines of the Bollywood blockbuster Lagaan,interestingly also has Tillakaratane Dilshan playing a cameo. Twenty million Sri Lankans will have their fingers crossed that the aggressive opener,however,ends up playing a starring role on more occasions than one over the next seven weeks. Fifteen years ago,Arjuna Ranatunga and his merry men had ended up completely changing the image of Sri Lankan cricket by claiming the prize that most thought they were not capable of even coming close to winning. As an entire nation waits with bated breath,the onus is now on Sangakkara and the remaining 14 members of his team to recreate history and make their legion of followers' anxieties all worth it.
