Lahore bus driver felicitated by Sri Lanka

The Pakistani bus driver, who drove Sri Lankan players to safety when their bus was ambushed by terrorists in Lahore last month, was felicitated by Sri Lankan cricket authorities.

Meher Mohammed Khalil took the Sri Lankan cricket team to the safety of the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore on March 3 amid heavy firing from terrorists.

On being reminded that initially it was Indian team that was to visit Pakistan, a tour that was cancelled due to the Mumbai terror attacks, Khalil said his response to the crisis would have only been better if Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men were in the bus.

Khalil and his wife were felicitated by Sri Lanka cricket with cheques of Sri Lankan Rs 10 lakhs besides a $2500 reward. The driver and his wife are in Colombo on the invitation of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon (ANCL) Ltd, the state owned group of newspapers.

Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge, Chairperson of Telecom and Mobitel Sri Lanka Leisha de Silva Chandrasena, several players of the Sri Lankan cricket team and SLC office bearers were also present on the occasion.

Recalling the horror, Khalil said he was determined to save the cricketers. Assuring the Sri Lankan cricket team of safety when they come to Pakistan next time, an emotional Khalil said, "This time it was only one Khalil, next time 16 million Khalils will be protecting you and be willing to sacrifice their lives for your safety."

"The (then) captain Mahela Jayawardene was also seated behind me in the bus and he saw all the actions initiated by me," he added.