Thilanga informs Modi of willingness to host Pak-India matches in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Board President Thilanga Sumathipala has appealed to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow the resumption of cricket between India and Pakistani teams. He made this appeal to Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka.

Speaking exclusively over his mobile from Colombo, the SLC Board Chief said, “I met Mr. Narendra Modi at the BMICH and conveyed the message to him to consider playing against Pakistan.”

Sumathipala is also the Deputy Speakerof Parliament. There has been no international cricket in Pakistan since the terrorists attacked on a bus and a van carrying Sri Lanka players and the ICC match-officials in March 2009.

When asked why SLC has voiced this concern, Sumathipala said, “Not only Pakistan is suffering. India is losing when Pakistan is not playing India as much as Pakistan is losing if India is not playing them. I have requested Mr. Modi to allow both to play either in Dubai or in Sri Lanka.”

Sumathipala’s fresh offer to host the series in Sri Lanka is, however, not the first one. There was indeed a serious thought of resumption of matches between the two countries in Sri Lanka during SidathWettimuny’s tenure as the Interim Committee Chairman. But the Indian Government never approved the idea.

Sumathipala also confirmed, “There is no immediate plan this year to play against Pakistan in Pakistan.” (Source: Pakistan Observer)