Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the appointment of former pace spearhead Lasith Malinga as Consultant Fast Bowling Coach for the Sri Lanka National Men’s Team, in a move aimed at strengthening preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Malinga’s appointment will be on a short-term basis, spanning a one-month period from 15 December to 25 January 2026. During this time, he will work closely with Sri Lanka’s national fast bowlers, focusing on preparation, skill development, and tactical execution as the team builds toward the global T20 showpiece.
One of the most successful fast bowlers Sri Lanka has ever produced, Malinga brings a wealth of international experience to the role. Renowned worldwide for his unique bowling action and exceptional ability in death overs, Malinga played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s success in limited-overs cricket, particularly in the shortest format of the game. His expertise is expected to be invaluable as Sri Lanka sharpens its bowling resources ahead of the World Cup.

Sri Lanka Cricket stated that the decision to bring Malinga on board is part of a broader strategy to leverage his proven knowledge of T20 cricket, especially in high-pressure situations. His guidance will aim to enhance consistency, accuracy, and match-awareness among the fast bowlers, key areas that often determine outcomes in T20 cricket.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, adding further significance to the preparation phase. The tournament is scheduled to begin on 7 February 2026, with the opening match set to be played at the iconic Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo.

With home conditions playing a major role, Sri Lanka Cricket hopes Malinga’s involvement will provide the national side with a competitive edge as they prepare to compete against the world’s best teams on cricket’s biggest T20 stage.

Sport has evolved far beyond competition and entertainment. Across the world, it has become a multi-billion-dollar economic engine, generating employment, infrastructure development, tourism, media revenue, and sustainable athlete livelihoods. From Europe to Asia, nations that have invested strategically in sport now reap economic and social dividends. Sri Lanka, standing at a critical crossroads, has much to learn from these models.

The Global Sports Economy: More Than Just Matches

Globally, the sports industry is valued at over USD 500 billion, encompassing professional leagues, broadcasting rights, sponsorships, sports tourism, infrastructure, merchandise, sports science, and digital platforms.

Countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, China, and Australia treat sport as an industry rather than a recreational activity. Their success rests on four pillars:

1. Professional leagues and structured competitions
2. Strong private-sector partnerships
3. Athlete-centric commercial ecosystems
4. Policy support and long-term planning

Athletes in these systems benefit not only from prize money but also from contracts, endorsements, pensions, insurance, post-retirement opportunities, and education pathways, ensuring sport is a viable career rather than a short-term pursuit.

India’s Sports Economy: A Regional Case Study

India’s transformation over the past decade provides one of the most relevant case studies for Sri Lanka. Once heavily reliant on cricket alone, India has built a diversified sports economy through structured leagues and government–private collaboration.

The introduction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) revolutionised cricket economics, creating billions in revenue while supporting players, coaches, analysts, broadcasters, marketers, and venue operators. This model was replicated across other sports through leagues such as:

• Indian Super League (Football)
• Pro Kabaddi League
• Premier Badminton League
• Ultimate Kho Kho
• Women’s Premier League (Cricket)

These leagues did more than entertain. They created year-round employment, improved grassroots scouting, professionalised coaching, and gave young athletes financial security and visibility.

Government initiatives like Khelo India and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) complemented league structures by funding athlete training, sports science, nutrition, and international exposure. Importantly, athletes were treated as economic contributors, not beneficiaries of charity.

How Athletes Benefit in a Sports Economy

In mature sports economies, athletes benefit through:

• Central contracts and league salaries
• Sponsorship and brand endorsements
• Medical insurance and injury cover
• Access to sports science, analytics, and psychology
• Education and dual-career support
• Post-retirement roles in coaching, media, administration, and entrepreneurship

Sport becomes a sustainable profession, reducing dropout rates and improving performance standards.

Where Sri Lanka Stands Today

Sri Lanka possesses immense sporting talent across cricket, football, athletics, rugby, volleyball, combat sports, and school sports. However, the sports ecosystem remains fragmented, with limited commercial pathways for athletes outside elite cricket.

Key challenges include:

• Lack of structured domestic leagues
• Weak private-sector investment
• Overdependence on government funding
• Inadequate athlete welfare systems
• Underutilisation of sports infrastructure
• Limited sports tourism and event hosting

Most athletes face uncertainty beyond school or national-level participation, leading many to abandon sport prematurely.

What Sri Lanka Can Do to Build a Sports Economy

Sri Lanka does not need to reinvent the wheel. It needs policy alignment, institutional reform, and commercial courage.

1. Develop Tiered Professional Leagues

Introduce sustainable league structures in football, volleyball, rugby, athletics meets, women’s sports, and regional cricket. Even semi-professional leagues can stimulate local economies.

2. Encourage Private Investment

Create tax incentives, sponsorship protections, and long-term lease frameworks to attract corporate partners into sports ownership, marketing, and infrastructure.

3. Strengthen School-to-Club Pathways

Formalise school sports pipelines into club and league systems, ensuring talent progression and retention.

4. Protect Athletes as Professionals

Introduce minimum contracts, medical insurance, injury compensation, and retirement transition programmes.

5. Activate Sports Tourism

Leverage Sri Lanka’s geography to host regional tournaments, training camps, beach sports events, and international friendlies, boosting hospitality and local economies.

6. Modernise Governance

Ensure transparent administration, professional venue management, and data-driven decision-making to build investor confidence.

A Strategic Opportunity

Sri Lanka stands at a moment where sport can become an economic pillar, not merely a medal-driven activity. With regional competition intensifying and youth participation declining, the need to professionalise sport has never been more urgent.

Building a sports economy is not just about revenue — it is about nation-building, youth employment, health, unity, and global relevance. The global and Indian experiences prove that with vision and structure, sport can power both economic growth and athletic excellence.

For Sri Lanka, the question is no longer whether sport can drive the economy — but whether the country is ready to let it.

By B Aravinth

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that construction work on the Jaffna International Cricket Stadium (JICS) in Mandaitivu, Jaffna, is progressing steadily and in line with planned timelines.

In an official press release, SLC stated that construction activities at the venue had been temporarily suspended due to the impact of the Ditwah Cyclone, which disrupted the scheduled work programme. The weather conditions also led to the postponement of the first trial match, which had been initially scheduled for January 14, 2026.

Following the improvement in conditions, construction has now resumed, and SLC has announced that the inaugural trial match at the stadium will be held after the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20I Cricket World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

SLC reiterated its confidence that the stadium will be completed within the projected timeline, emphasising that the project remains a priority development initiative.

The Jaffna International Cricket Stadium is being developed on 48 acres and will feature 10 international-standard centre wickets, with boundary distances extending up to 80 metres, meeting global playing standards.

The stadium forms part of SLC’s long-term vision to establish a comprehensive sports city in Jaffna, spanning a total area of 138 acres. This landmark project is expected to play a key role in strengthening cricket development in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province and aligns with the objectives of SLC’s National Pathway Programme, aimed at nurturing talent across all regions of the country.