Sri Lanka and India are set to play a two-match Test series between August 15 and 27 as part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Although the official schedule is yet to be announced, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reserved a two-week window for the series following the conclusion of the Lanka Premier League on August 9. Discussions between SLC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are continuing to finalise the venues and match dates.

The proposed tour was initially expected to include three Twenty20 Internationals as well, but there has been no confirmation regarding those matches. The T20 games were originally planned as a fundraising initiative for victims affected by Cyclone Ditwah last year.

Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia is currently in Sri Lanka as part of an International Cricket Council delegation reviewing recent developments in Sri Lanka Cricket administration. The Sri Lankan government recently dissolved the previous SLC body and appointed an interim Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee.

Cricket scheduling remains challenging for India due to a packed international calendar later this year. India are expected to tour Bangladesh in September for a white-ball series, although the tour is still uncertain after being postponed previously because of political tensions between the two nations.

India also have commitments against West Indies and Afghanistan later in the year, along with the Asian Games in Nagoya scheduled from September 9 to October 4.

India’s international season resumes in June with a Test series against Afghanistan before tours of Ireland, England and Zimbabwe.

Senior representatives of the International Cricket Council (ICC) met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo yesterday as discussions intensified over the future of cricket administration in Sri Lanka.

The ICC delegation, which includes Imran Khwaja and Devajit Sakia, is currently in the country following recent changes within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Their visit comes amid growing attention on governance reforms and the restructuring of the national cricket administration.

During their stay, ICC officials also held meetings with members of the newly appointed SLC administration at the board’s headquarters, where discussions focused on restoring stability and strengthening the management framework of Sri Lankan cricket.

The latest developments follow the appointment of a nine-member Cricket Transformation Committee by Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage after the resignation of the previous SLC leadership.

The committee, chaired by Eran Wickremaratne, has been entrusted with overseeing the administration of the sport and implementing a series of reforms until new elections are conducted.

Sri Lanka Rugby President Pavithra Fernando believes the country possesses the talent and structure at school level to compete with the best in Asia, but says greater emphasis must now be placed on strengthening club rugby and retaining young players in the sport.

Speaking about Sri Lanka’s current standing in Asian rugby, Fernando noted that the national teams remain among the top-ranked sides in the region despite a slight decline following the Covid-19 pandemic.

“At present, Sri Lanka is ranked third in the sevens format and fourth in the 15-a-side game in Asia. Before Covid, we were actually ranked second in sevens rugby. We may have dropped a little, but we have still managed to remain competitive because our schools rugby structure is extremely strong and the club competitions are also of a high standard,” Fernando said.

He added that while Sri Lanka has managed to maintain its place among Asia’s competitive rugby nations, the country has yet to make significant progress towards the top tier.

“We have stayed in contention, but we have not really moved forward and developed beyond that level,” he explained.

Fernando stressed that Sri Lanka’s schools rugby system continues to be one of the strongest in the region, producing players capable of matching leading Asian nations.

Referring to the country’s recent performances at youth level, he said, “Last year, our Under-27 team had only one month of preparation before the tournament, yet we still finished runners-up. We defeated Hong Kong in the first round before losing to them in the final. That clearly shows the standard and potential we have at school level.”

However, Fernando pointed out that the biggest challenge facing Sri Lanka Rugby is the lack of opportunities for players once they leave school.

“More than 90 percent of school rugby players do not continue the sport after school because they do not see a future in rugby in Sri Lanka. That is an issue we must address urgently,” he said.

Fernando believes improving the club rugby structure and creating a sustainable pathway for young players will be essential if Sri Lanka is to challenge the leading rugby nations in Asia and regain its former standing in regional rugby.