Political instability worries Sri Lankan board

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has expressed concern over future cricket tours to Sri Lanka following the recent air raids to Colombo by a militant rebel group.

K Mathivanan, the SLC secretary, said that the serious situation in the country at present was not encouraging especially with England scheduled to visit later this year. England are due to make a tour of Sri Lanka in two legs - first for a series of five ODIs from October 1 to 13 and then again from December 1 to 22 for a three-Test series.

Mathivanan also raised his fear regarding financial loses they would face if the tour was to be cancelled. "If the tour fails to materialise, SLC stands to lose five million dollars as television rights from Ten Sports."

Last year South Africa pulled out of the Unitech Cup triangular series that also featured India citing security concerns following a bomb blast in Colombo, a move which was criticised by SLC because the security assessment was made by a Dubai-based firm.

According to sources, the future of Tom Moody, Sri Lanka's coach, extending his contract with the team also hinges on the security situation in Colombo. Moody's two-year contract ends on May 31 and he has yet to indicate his future plans. He is due to have a meeting with the SLC top brass on May 13 to discuss his plans.

Since last May, Sri Lanka had no cricket tours to this country because the team was away on tours to England, India, New Zealand and the West Indies. International cricket is due to return to Sri Lanka in June this year with Bangladesh scheduled to play three Tests and three ODIs.