Arjuna Ranatunge with Chief Minister Chandrakanthan

Sri Lanka Cricket has been formulating a programme to develop cricket at provincial level. Mr.D.S.de Silva has been appointed coordinator of the Sri Lanka Cricket to develop cricket in the three districts, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Amparai in the eastern proince to national level, said Arjuna Ranatunge, Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee Chairman when he addressed a conference held in the Eastern Provincial Chief Secretariat in Trincomalee last Tuesday.

Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan presided. Provincial Minister of Health M.L.A.M.Hisbullah who also holds the post of Minister of Sports also attended the discussion. Duleep Mendis and other Colombo cricket officials were also present.

Arjuna Ranatunge said a proposal was being studied to construct a cricket stadium in the eastern province to meet the international standard. The selection of the venue for the proposed modern cricket stadium could be decided by the people of the province He said cricket matches with foreign teams could also be held in the east on the completion of the project.

Arjuna Ranatunge added under the Mahinda Chinthanaya, action was being taken to take cricket to rural areas from towns. Cricket would be given a boost at school level and at sports club level in the each district of the province.

Fifteen schools -five schools from each district-in the eastern province would be selected to introduce cricket. Equipments and coaching facilities would be provided for students. Local coaches would be given training in Colombo to meet the national standard. They would be allowed to coach at village level to raise the standard of cricket. Best players would be absorbed into to the national team after thorough coaching, he added.

The Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan at the commencement requested Arjuna Ranatunge to assist the eastern province in the sphere of cricket. Justin Perera, Assistant Director of Sports in the Eastern Provincial Council outlined the needs of the province in developing cricket.