Sri Lanka Cricket Team Welcomed in London

The Sri Lanka Cricket Team received a warm welcome at the London Heathrow Airport as they embarked on a two-month tour of England and Ireland. The team was welcomed by the Acting High Commissioner Sugeeshwara Gunaratna; John Carr, Director, England Cricket Operations, England and Wales Cricket Board; Manoj Warnapala, Counsellor of the Sri Lanka High Commission and other officials.

The team captained by Angelo Mathews comprises of 17 players, Team Manager Charith Senanayake, Coach Graham Ford and other assistants.

Before the team's arrival, Hon. Thilanga Sumathipala, Dy. Speaker and President of Sri Lanka Cricket met with Actg. High Commissioner Sugeeshwara Gunaratna and other High Commission officials in London to discuss arrangements for the tour and ways and means of promoting Sri Lanka during this period.

At the meeting, Hon. Thilanga Sumathipala explained the new strategy of Sri Lanka Cricket to get the utmost support & participation of all the Sri Lankan families and local well-wishers living in those respective countries when our National Team is on tour. This useful and interesting programme would be conducted with the consultation of the respective Sri Lanka Missions abroad. He further pointed out that such healthy support is required for any visiting team and it would no doubt give them immense encouragement to stay in focus and committed to the game. The other key factor is the opportunity that is being created for Sri Lankans to get together under one flag and to enjoy while displaying our unity and rich heritage to the whole world.

A series of promotional events and activities including cultural dancing, bands, drummers, cheer groups, local food festivals aimed at promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination, has been lined up during the tour in consultation with Sri Lanka Tourism.


Sri Lanka High Commission
London / 05 May 2016

High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
13, Hyde Park Gardens
London W2 2LU
United Kingdom