Colombo: A glorious 15-year career came to an end but Kumar Sangakkara kept his emotions in control through his last two test matches.

Sangakkara soaked in all the respect from his fans, players and formers stars and responded with a humble smile and a simple thank you. But he is said to have given away to his built up emotions when he saw his parents Swarnakumara Sangakkara and Kumari Surangana at the P Sara Oval.

Addressing an elite gathering that included the country’s newly re-elected Prime Minister Ranil Wickermesinghe, President Maithripala Sirisena, 1996 World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, his two illustrious team-mates Muttiah Muralitharan and Mahela Jayawardene and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, the 37-year-old Sangakkara was overcome by emotion while thanking his parents.

With tears rolling down his eyes, he said, “A lot of people have asked me what has inspired me. I don’t have to look beyond my parents,” Sangakkara.

“I don’t want to embarrass you but you have been my inspiration. And my siblings,” he added, voice cracking again and tears flowing. “Thank you amma (mother) and appachi (father). I felt safe at home. They say you can’t choose your family and choose only your friends, but I am thankful I was born your child and your sibling. I am sorry I don’t always get emotional, but this is the rare time that my parents and my siblings are here.”

This was followed by him thankeing his alma mater Trinity College president, childhood coach Sunil Fernando, long-time agent Charlie Austin.
However, speculations were made when he forgot to thank one important person- his better half Yehali, the pillar of his strength and the mother of his two kids.

Admitting a genuine mistake at a press conference later, Sangakkara said without his wife’s support he couldn’t have achieved all the greatness. “I imagined my parents and family (during the farewell speech). I forgot to mention by wife and children by name. To me when I say family, it’s all of them. You know my children are six years old now but that’s been the highlight of my partnership. She has been amazingly supportive and amazingly tolerant. I’m quite a chaotic person.

“I’m only organised in my bating. Anything away from that, it’s not easy for her to get me organised, to keep me on track and get my appointments done. But she has done the most amazing job. She has gifted me amazing children. Like I said again, I’m blessed with so much and I’m thankful for. Yehali and my children is the best partnership of my life. So I hope she tolerates me for a few more years!” he gushed.

Sangakkara, who was offered the position of Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom by the president at the farewell ceremony, said his focus now is his family only. “I’ll go home and sleep, then tomorrow I’m going to England. If you’re talking about my future, I have to sit down with my wife and children and figure out what’s best for them. Whether I’m part of cricket or not, the sport will go forward. It won’t stop. I have a great responsibility to my family, so I’ll think about them first, before anything else.”