Mahinda invites New Zealand PM for World Cup semi-final

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday has extended an invitation to New Zealand Prime Minister John Key to visit Colombo to watch the World Cup semi-final between the two teams, President's Office said.

Sri Lanka and New Zealand will meet at the R. Premadasa Stadium, in Colombo on Tuesday, March 29 for the first semi-final of the tournament.

President Rajapaksa has invited the New Zealand premier after the home team's spectacular 10-wicket victory against England on Saturday in Colombo.

Sri Lankan openers Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan hit centuries in a 231-run partnership to storm into the semi-finals with the Black Caps.

Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by 112 runs earlier in their pre-knockout round on March 18, played at India's Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.