President Mahinda Rajapaksa will lead the country in cheering on the Sri Lankan cricket team when it takes on India in the final of the World Cup at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Saturday. While the President will be present in person there to watch the match, millions of Sri Lankans will be glued to their televisions back home to witness the historic event.

On Friday, many Sri Lankan engaged in religious activities and visited temples, churches and mosques to pray for the success of the cricket team.

Sri Lankan wants to see a repeat performance of the 1996 World Cup when the island nation emerged the surprise winners, beating Australia. Since the win, the popularity of the game has grown by leaps and bounds with top cricketers like Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttaih Muralitharan elevated to the status of national heroes.

President Rajapaksa requested all Sri Lankans to rally round the Sri Lankan cricket team to win the World Cup as a tribute to Muttiah Muralitharan, the world record breaking spinner who will be playing in his last One-Day International before retiring from the shorter version of the game.

Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss expressed confidence before he left for India with the team that Sri Lanka could win the World Cup.

The win in Mumbai would be the icing on the cake for Sri Lankans who are enjoying peace and development that they were denied for nearly three decades due to the civil war in the north and east of the country.