President Ranil Wickramasinghe said that he aims to maintain cricket in Sri Lanka without politics. Sri Lanka Latest News
The president said that he has a vision of where cricket should be in Sri Lanka in 2030, and that is why he allocated 1.5 billion rupees in this year’s budget for the development of school cricket and he expects to increase it to 02 billion per year in the future.
The President stated that he expects to entrust the administration of this money and the development of school cricket to an independent trust and said that he hopes that the desired objectives will be achieved by conducting all activities transparently.
Also, President Ranil Wickramasinghe mentioned that the powers of the interim committees and the minister will be abolished by the new laws that will be brought in relation to the game of cricket.
The President emphasized that the government has implemented the plans to become a prosperous nation by building a new economy in the country and that Sri Lanka should become a nation that excels in cricket and other fields as well.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe mentioned this while addressing the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Colombo Colts Sports Club held at the Colombo Colts Stadium yesterday (08) afternoon.
The President also awarded Colts Sports Club membership to the members of the 1996 World Cup winning team and the 2011 T20 World Cup winning team members.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe was presented with life membership of the Colts Sports Club by its President Mr. Nishantha Ranatunga.
Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe, commenting further, also said:
“We have seen that cricket has taken a major place in this year’s budget debate as well. This time the budget debate is mainly about cricket and not about the budget, which means the opposition had nothing to criticize the government and the budget proposals.
“Meanwhile, a new minister was appointed instead of the former sports minister. The minister is currently discussing with the International Cricket Council (ICC) how to restore the previous situation in cricket. We hope it all gets sorted out soon and we can get back to dealing with the world.”
“I have a vision of where cricket should be in this country in 2030.”
“It is our aim not to interfere too much with the government in managing the cricket game in this country. Also, the powers of the interim committees and the minister will be abolished by the new laws that will be brought in the future.
We entrust the administration of these funds and the improvement of school cricket to an independent trust. The remaining part is assigned to the development plans of the governing body. The ministry also has powers to develop the game of cricket.”
“We have to continuously build the pool of cricketers.”
“Also, we are working to develop the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex as a sports university. For that, we are bringing together the Cricket Board.”
“Economy is money. If the game is commercialized we will also join it. And if the game is commercialized, let’s keep it free from politics.”
