Born in Kandy, Sri Lanka, on April 17, 1972, into a Tamil family with a heritage in the tea plantations, Muttiah Muralitharan's path to cricketing greatness was anything but ordinary. With a passion for the game ignited at a young age, he honed his skills at St. Anthony's College, Kandy.  His unorthodox bowling action, a product of a rare anatomical condition, would later become both his greatest weapon and the source of fierce debate making him one of the greatest Sri Lankan cricketers. 

Muralitharan's international debut for Sri Lanka came in 1992. While initial controversy swirled around his action, his undeniable talent shone through. With his deceptive spin, cunning variations, and unmatched stamina, he quickly rose through the ranks and became one of the greatest spin bowlers in cricket.  Muralitharan was a key architect of Sri Lanka's stunning 1996 World Cup victory, cementing his place as a national hero. 

The records tumbled before Muralitharan's relentless onslaught. He shattered the records for most wickets in both Test and ODI cricket, his final tally of 800 Test wickets a testament to his dominance. His ability to bamboozle batsmen with his 'Doosra', a delivery spinning the opposite way to his stock off-break, made him a nightmare to face. 

Muralitharan's impact extended far beyond the cricket field.  He became a symbol of resilience and hope for Sri Lankans, especially in the aftermath of the devastating 2004 tsunami. His charitable foundation, the Foundation of Goodness, continues to uplift marginalized communities across Sri Lanka along with his former teammate and world's greatest wicket keeper Kumar Sangakkara. 

Muttiah Muralitharan's retirement in 2010 marked the end of an era. Yet, his legacy as the most prolific wicket-taker in cricket history and one of the sport's most iconic figures endures. His unique journey, marked by both triumph and challenge, continues to inspire generations of cricketers and fans worldwide. 

President Maithripala Sirisena named Muttiah Muralitharan and T.M. Dilshan as Brand Ambassadors (KIDS) for the Presidential Task Force to combat kidney disease. This dynamic duo has been vital in many matches leading the side to victory, especially during the SL v PAK  match where Shoaib Akthar was in his prime.