World Cup fever helps Sri Lanka forget civil strife

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Cricket fever has gripped Sri Lanka after their team secured a place in the World Cup final, diverting attention -- at least for the time being -- from a worsening civil war.

Cricket-mad fans sat glued to their television sets until the early hours of Wednesday morning to watch Sri Lanka defeat New Zealand by 81 runs in Jamaica.

The success of the cricket team in the Caribbean has provided a welcome distraction from the worsening military conflict between the government and Tamil Tigers, which has left a 2002 ceasefire agreement in tatters.

The two-decade civil war, which has claimed around 68,000 lives, has intensified in the past year with almost daily battles, denting business confidence and contributing to spiralling inflation.

But for now, cricket was in focus.

"You can feel this great sense of excitement and growing feeling of confidence that Sri Lanka really can win this tournament," former Sri Lanka batsman and selector Sidath Wettimuny told reporters.

"Victory will be a huge boost to everybody considering the country's situation, giving all Sri Lankans a great sense of pride."

Multi-faith religious ceremonies are being planned in the lead-up to Saturday's big game to bless the team, and President Mahinda Rajapaksa will even fly to Barbados for the final.

As the excitement has built, businesses are cashing-in on the team's success, especially bars, clubs and restaurants that have erected giant TV screens to show the matches live.