President Chandrika Kumara-tunga said she was impressed by Muralitharan's "courage and determination" in facing "challenges and adversaries," a reference to being called for throwing by an Australian umpire.

"I join all Sri Lankans in expressing our pride and delight that you are the first Sri Lankan to establish a world record in Test cricket," Kumaratunga said in a message sent to Muralitharan who is playing in Zimbabwe.

"May you and the Sri Lankan cricket team have the ability to improve its position and take Sri Lanka's name further in international fame," said Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse.

Sri Lanka Cricket president Mohan de Silva said the record was even better because of the obstacles Muralitharan faced and vowed that the governing body of the sport here will "be a pillar of strength to him."

Muralitharan was assessed by experts in Australia last month after he was reported for a suspect bowling action by match referee Chris Broad after the third and final Test against Australia here in March.

A report has been sent to the International Cricket Council which is yet to make the findings public.

Sunday newspapers here devoted their entire sports front pages to Muralitharan's record breaking feat.

"Murali on top of the world," said the Sunday Observer. "King Murali" was the headline in the Sunday Island, while the Sunday Times said: "King Murali does it!"

Muralitharan's parents who live in the central town of Kandy, 72 miles (112 kilometres) east of here, were jubilant as they watched television broadcast of their son play in Harare and set a new world record.

"I think I am the happiest mother in the world today," said his mother, Lakshmi Muralitharan. "I didn't think he would come this far. I never even thought he would play for the country, but once he started I knew he would do something, but not this."

Muralitharan's father, S Muttiah, said he was overjoyed and expected his son to reach the 1,000-wicket mark if he continued to play.

"If he continues for a few more years, I am sure that he will go on to pick up 1,000 wickets in Test cricket," Muttiah said adding that he was "disappointed" over the controversy surrounding his son's bowling action.