Ranatunga plans more India-Lanka Tests

Colombo: Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) newly-appointed chairman Arjuna Ranatunga, on Wednesday, said he is keen on increasing the frequency of Tests against India and will take up the matter with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“I have just taken over. I am going to hold a meeting with the CEO of SLC Duleep Mendis and other officials and work out the possibility of having regular exchange programmes regarding cricket matches with India,” Ranatunga said.

He said it will be on the lines of regular cricket fixtures that India has with Australia and Pakistan. The 44-year-old Ranatunga said he was keen that the two Asian nations play regular Test matches.

He said after discussing the matter with the cricket board officials of the Island country on the programme he will hold talks with the BCCI officials and put forth the views of the SLC. By taking over as the SLC Chairman, Ranatunga will also take over as the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) at least till August this year.

The ACC Chairman’s post is now being held by Sri Lanka on a rotational basis and the outgoing Chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa was its head.

The former cricket captain, now a Member of Parliament representing the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), has taken over as SLC chairman when the Island country is faced with retirement of top cricketers and the need to find able replacements.

“We have the potential to be one of the best sides in the world. I will be consulting several people on further improving the standard of the game. In fact some former Test players have even expressed their willingness to coach the youngsters free of cost for the SLC,” he said.

In a recent meeting, Ranatunga stressed the need to introduce a national sports policy through parliamentary regulations immediately.