The two Cricket Boards finally came to a settlement and eventually there was no reduction in the number of matches as was feared earlier.
New Zealand will thus play a series of three Tests in addition to two 3-day and two one-day side games.
Galle has been allocated a Test match for the first time. However it is subject to approval by the International Cricket Council (ICC) who will send a representative to the venue shortly to check and report on the suitability of staging an international match there.
At the conclusion of the Test series, New Zealand will stay back to participate in Sri Lanka's Independence Cup match which will be worked off from June 19 - July 7. India will be the third team in the competition. They are due to arrive for the competition on June 17.
NEW ZEALAND TOUR ITINERARY
May 15: Arrival, May 18-20: 3-day match at Sara Stadium, May 22-24: 3-day game at Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy, May 27-31: 1st Test at R. Premadasa Stadium, June 3-7: 2nd Test at Galle International Stadium (subject to approval by ICC), June 10-14: 3rd Test at SSC, June 16: one-day game at Welagedera Stadium, Kurunegala, June 19: one-day game at CCC.
INDEPENDENCE CUP DRAW
June 19: Sri Lanka v India at R. Premadasa Stadium (d/n), June 21: Sri Lanka v New Zealand at R. Premadasa Stadium (d/n), June 23: India v New Zealand at R. Premadasa Stadium (d/n), June 25: Sri Lanka v India at Galle Stadium, June 27: Sri Lanka v New Zealand at Galle Stadium, June 29: India v New Zealand at Galle Stadium, July 1: Sri Lanka v India at SSC, July 3: India v New Zealand at SSC, July 5: Sri Lanka v New Zealand at SSC, July 7: Final at R. Premadasa Stadium (d/n).
There is an alternate day for all the matches if affected by bad weather. - (S.T.)