Sri Lanka honour cricket attack bus driver by AFP

---

Event:

Sri Lanka in Pakistan 2008/09

---

DateLine: 6th April 2009

 

Sri Lanka Monday rewarded a Pakistani coach driver with 21,800 dollars for his role in protecting the island's cricket team during last month's gun and grenade attack in Lahore.

 

Meher Mohammad Khalil was hailed as a hero for driving the team to safety after their coach was attacked by suspected Muslim militants in the Pakistani city on March 3.

 

"I did it for Pakistan. I did it for Sri Lanka, who were our guests," Khalil said at a ceremony in Colombo, during which he was given 21,800 dollars donated by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the sports ministry and private companies.

 

"Khalil, you are our hero. We will always remember you with gratitude," said Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan skipper on the Pakistan tour.

 

Seven Sri Lankan players and their British assistant coach Paul Farbrace were injured in the attack. Eight Pakistanis, including six security force personnel, were killed.

 

"Let's hope we are not put in that situation again," Jayawardene said.

(Article: Copyright © 2009 AFP)