Charles Haviland BBC News, Colombo

All eyes on the new captain

The strong bonds between them were strengthened when militants in Lahore in Pakistan tried to kill the visiting Sri Lankan team in March. Thousands of fans in both countries who can’t get to London have been transfixed by the tournament so far – and will be this evening.

Recent heavy rains have raised questions about exactly how cricket-mad Sri Lankans will watch the final. But warm, dry weather has returned and a huge crowd is expected at the Colombo Cricket Club where a big screen will relay the drama from Lords.

Lahore experiance

This isn’t a match where politics can be forgotten. The two countries are traditional close friends. Commentators here are noting how both nations have been struggling with violent insurgency, something which came close to killing the Sri Lankan team in Lahore.

Several players sustained minor injuries including the captain, Kumar Sangakkara, who says he hopes there won’t be too much emotion and that his side must stay mentally strong.

Uniting through cricket

The country’s decades-long ethnic war has only just ended and there’s much reconciliation work to be done. But, says Sangakkara, “through cricket we have been united”.

The Sunday Times paper here says the national team embodies religious and ethnic harmony, with men of four creeds playing for one cause – although it does note that the team have faced some protests by Tamil residents in Britain.

Whether Sri Lanka or Pakistan takes the cup, it’s likely to happen in a spirit of friendship