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by Dinesh Weerawansa

The ICC Champions trophy tournament in Sri Lanka is assured of a peaceful environment due to the current peace process initiated by the United National Front Government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe.

Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Johnston Fernando said the International Cricket Council's decision to award the honour of hosting the tournament in Sri Lanka is a classic example about the international community's faith in the UNF Government's peace efforts.

"We have had the successful hosting of the Asian Athletic Championship with the participation of 40 countries. That showed the world that Sri Lanka is no more an unsafe place to send sporting teams and now we are hosting the biggest ever cricket tournament in Sri Lankan sports history," Minister Fernando said when he expressed the views on the upcoming 12-nation event from September 12 at Premadasa Stadium and SSC Grounds.

It is heartening to see the full force in world cricket in action on our home soil for the first time in world cricket history. Many teams feared to tour Sri Lanka due to the North East war and the Indian sub continent after the US air strikes in Afghanistan following last year's September 11 attacks in the US. Pakistan was badly hit as a result. Sri Lanka too had bitter experience in the past, which forced Australia and the West Indies to forfeit their matches of the 1996 World Cup due to security fears. Some teams were forced to abandon their tours here halfway following Colombo city bomb attacks.

Coming back from such a bitter experience, it was a great victory for Sri Lanka to obtain all clear security from the ICC and world sports community to have a cricket tournament of this magnitude.

Minister Fernando said sports in Sri Lanka is now attracting international attention and even the foreign investors are coming here to pump their money on sports. "Sahara Sports have come forward to develop the Pallekele International Stadium at a cost of Rs. 600 million.

They should have invested that large money on some other business? But they have kept faith in us and our sports to make the largest single investment on a BOI project since the UNF Government came to office. It's an encouraging sign for Sri Lanka sports," he said.

He said the Government has made its best efforts to put Sri Lanka cricket back on the track. "We have always concentrated on grooming our future sportsmen and women.

We will turn the Premadasa Stadium into an international venue plus a training base for our cricketers." the Sports Minister said.

Several fast practice tracks were recently opened at the Premadasa Stadium. This project was mainly started to enable the Lankan cricketers to train on wickets suitable for fast bowlers before they embark on tours to countries like Australia, England and South Africa, which have fast wickets suitable for pacies.

Premadasa Stadium, which hosts nine of the 15 matches of the ICC Champions trophy tournament including the semi-finals and final, has been given a new look, according to the Chairman of the Sugathadasa Sports Stadium Complex Authority, Chrishantha Kapuwatte. He said a new electronic media stand with camera positions and edition facilities have been put up at a cost of Rs. five million. Many development work has taken place at the Premadasa Stadium, the venue for the 'curtain raiser' game between the hosts Sri Lanka and former world champions Pakistan on September 12.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been honoured by the ICC to be the chief guest at the colourful opening ceremony of the Mini World Cup on September 12 at 1.30 p.m. The premier has given his fullest backing and guidance to Minister Fernando to foster Sri Lanka sports.

Minister Fernando expressed confidence in the Lankan team and hoped Sanath Jayasuriya and his men would do well, making maximum use of the home conditions.

"They have regained their confidence after some convincing wins in Morocco and they should continue that form. They have the ability to do that and I wish them all success," he said.

Minister Fernando said the 11 foreign teams for the 'international cricket carnival' should have a memorable time in Sri Lanka and wished them a pleasent stay here.

"We hope the Sri Lankan cricket fans too make use of the rare chance they have got and enjoy action of their favourite world cricketing stars," he concluded.

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