ICC may lift Cricket suspension soon, says Sports Minister

ICC Chief Executive Officer Geoff Allardice has a good knowledge about progress of Sri Lanka cricket and I am sure ICC will lift our suspension very soon said Sports Minister Harin Fernando at a special press conference held at Tourist Ministry yesterday. ICC CEO wanted to know what’s happening after change of sports Minister and we clearly said under new sports act there is no influence by Sports Minister.

ICC CEO wanted to know about current situation and activities here and we pointed out Sports Minister’s less involvement starting with the new sport act and especially no need to get Sports Ministers approval for the teams and appointment of selection committee by SLC and ICC is very happy about this and they may lift the suspension. ICC next meeting will be held in March but we hope via Zoom meeting they will lift our suspension as soon as possible said Sports Minister.

ICC doesn’t like to spend cricket money for other activities but former Minister used money for other activities and we pointed out it won’t happen in the future.

We missed out hosting under-19 World Cup and ICC annual conference but if the suspension is removed before February 15 there is a possibility of holding ICC meeting here and get some revenue from Tourism. which we lost due to under19 world cup being shifted from Sri Lanka.

Sports Minister said he met Asian Cricket Head and Indian cricket Board Secretary Jay Shah and explored the possibility of getting at least three IPL matches here and if we get that it’s going to be good income for Sri Lanka.

My plan is to make Mattala IPL venue and to bring tourists to visit Yala, Udawalawe and Kumana to promote Sports Tourism.

Managing Director of Tourisum Promotion Bureau Nalin Perera, Shirantha Pieris Chairman Sri Lanka institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, Chalaka Gajabahu Chairman Sri Lanka tourism Promotion Bureau were present at the press briefing yesterday.

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