It was a busy day for His Excellency the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in the UK – Justice Nihal Jayasinghe. However, he very graciously found some time to receive the FOC team bringing the traditional invitation to welcome him as the Chief Guest of the Festival of Cricket 2009, to be held on Sunday, 12th July, 2009 at the Winchmore Hill C.C., The Paulin Grounds, London N21 3ER.
Since its inception in 1989, and commencing with His Excellency Chandra Monarawala, The High Commissioner at that time, it has been a tradition that the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka hoists the Sri Lankan national flag , at the FOC opening ceremony.
The FOC was the brain child of Old Anandian – Mr.G.C. Perera -, at a time Civil war and ethnic unrest appeared to have enveloped the country and the words 'Unity' and 'Friendship' were at their lowest ebb. The FOC enabled feelings of unity and friendship to return, in the form of a sporting event, - the much loved game of Cricket !.

At the meeting, HE Justice Nihal Jayasinghe, was informed of the arrangements and progress of the Festival of Cricket 2009 by office bearers of the FOC 2009 team - Hon. Joint Presidents Brian Ratnayake and Jay(antha) Edirappuli, Hon. Secretary - Victor Wickramasinghe, Hon. Treasurer - Wickrama De S. Waidyanatha, Hon. Assistant Secretary - Dr. Sirinimal Fernando and Hon. Sub Committee Chairmen - Methsiri Wijeratna (Fund Raising), and N. Wimalendran (Charity).The Country Manager, Bank of Ceylon – The Main Sponsor - Cyril Madadeniya was also present