Members of Sri Lanka Cricket’s Transformation Committee held an interaction with visiting Indian journalists in Colombo, discussing cricketing ties between Sri Lanka and India and ongoing reforms to the administration of the sport.

The informal discussion was attended by Transformation Committee Chairman Eran Wickramaratne, former Sri Lanka cricketers Sidath Wettimuny and Roshan Mahanama, and former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara.

During the discussion, Wickramaratne highlighted the long-standing cricketing relationship between Sri Lanka and India and expressed interest in further strengthening ties between the two countries.

“Our cricketing ties go back a 100 years,” Wickramaratne said, referring to the historic Gopalan Trophy between Ceylon and Tamil Nadu and the subsequent expansion of the relationship through Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

“We want to strengthen that relationship further,” he said, adding that he had also held discussions with ICC Chairman Jay Shah on working together to take cricket forward.

The interaction also focused on Sri Lanka’s Test cricket schedule and the need for more opportunities to play leading nations.

Wettimuny said Sri Lanka would like to play India more regularly but noted that the packed international calendar and the ICC Future Tours Programme determine bilateral tours.

“As far as we are concerned we would like to play India every year. Not only us, the entire world would want it,” he said.

Mahanama said India, England and Australia were among the teams every cricketing nation wanted to play and stressed the importance of Sri Lanka securing more tours against them.

“We also need to find a balance. In 2029 we will be playing 10 Tests while this year we have hardly played anything,” Mahanama said.

The discussion also covered proposed constitutional and administrative reforms to Sri Lanka Cricket, Sri Lanka’s potential role as a neutral venue for international matches and plans for a cricket stadium in Jaffna.

Wickramaratne said the administration was being approached in an apolitical manner and that there was no political pressure. (Newswire)

The post Cricket Transformation Committee meets visiting Indian journalists, seeks stronger India ties appeared first on Newswire.