Recognizing a legend

MONDAY, 04 APRIL 2011 19:41 Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse (R) presents a gift to star cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan (C) flanked by his wife Madhi Malar (L) during a tea party at the official Presidential residency in Colombo on April 4, 2011. Sri Lanka lost to India by six wickets in a thrilling World Cup final on April 2, in Mumbai.  AFP PHOTO Sri Lankan cricket team captain Kumar Sangakkara (L) shakes hands with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa (R) during a tea party at the Presidential residence in Colombo on April 4, 2011. Sri Lanka lost to India by six wickets in a thrilling World Cup final on April 2, in Mumbai. AFP PHOTO Sri Lankan cricketer Lasith Malinga (L) shakes hands with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa (R) as team captain Kumar Sangakkara (C) watches during a tea party at the Presidential residency in Colombo on April 4, 2011. Sri Lanka lost to India by six wickets in a thrilling World Cup final on April 2, in Mumbai. AFP PHOTO Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene (L) shakes hands with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa (R) as team captain Kumar Sangakkara (C) looks during a tea party at the Presidential residency in Colombo on April 4, 2011. Sri Lanka lost to India by six wickets in a thrilling World Cup final on April 2, in Mumbai. AFP PHOTO  Sri Lankan cricketers (L) speak with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa (R) during a tea party at the Presidential residency in Colombo on April 4, 2011. Sri Lanka lost to India by six wickets in a thrilling World Cup final on April 2, in Mumbai. AFP PHOTO Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa (2nd R) and his wife Shiranthi Rajapaksa look on as Muttiah Muralitharan (L), Mahela Jayawardena (C) captain Kumar Sangakkara speaks with them during a special tea party for the ICC Cricket World Cup runner-up at the president official residence  in Colombo April 4, 2011.  REUTERS