Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan was given a hero's welcome when he returned home as the highest wicket-taker in Test history on Thursday.
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Muralitharan's arrival in Sri Lanka was broadcast live on national television and a host of politicians, sports administrators, family members and close friends flocked to pay tribute to the bowler.
"I'm very happy to have achieved this record for the country," Muralitharan said. "It's a huge honour and I am very grateful for all the support I have received. Everyone has done so much for me."
The 32-year-old was garlanded as he stepped into the VIP airport arrivals lounge and mobbed by the media, before being escorted by motorcade to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board headquarters in central Colombo.
The International Cricket Council has barred Muralitharan's controversial "doosra" delivery after research showed he illegally straightened his arm.
But Muralitharan said he would not be beaten by the controversy.
"I won't give it up now," he said. "I will be as strong as ever. I want to play until 2007 World Cup but if they try and stop me I may even continue after that."
Sri Lankan prime minister Mahinda Rajapakse said on Sunday that he was considering suing the ICC over the ban.
Muralitharan is due to meet with Rajapakse on Thursday night for dinner with a team of lawyers to discuss the controversy.
Sri Lanka, who in Zimbabwe won the two-Test series 2-0 and the one-day series 5-0, start a two-Test tour of Australia in June.
But Muralitharan, unhappy about Australian Prime Minister John Howard's comments over his bowling action, has said he may boycott the tour.
His advisors have confirmed that he will be releasing a full statement outlining his plans for the future shortly.
Sri Lanka's sports minister Jeewan Kumaratunga announced that the government would soon be launching a postage stamp to commemorate his achievements.
The public celebrations will continue on a Saturday when he will be paraded through the streets of Kandy, the hill-country hometown where his family runs a confectionary business.
