The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka has offered its services to host a tri-nation one-day-international series in Colombo featuring Australia, Pakistan and a third nation, in case the current problems between the government of Kenya and the Kenya Cricket Association force the organizers to shift the tournament away from Kenya which is the host nation.

"The BCCSL is offering its services for the greater good of world cricket, in the event that Kenya is unable to host the tournament," said Mr. Hemaka Amarasuriya, Chairman of the Interim Committee of the BCCSL. "Although the BCCSL is heavily involved with the organizing of the ICC Champions Trophy 2002, which is to be held in Colombo from the 12th to the 30th of September, we feel very strongly that it is our duty to help the PCB to organize the tournament."

Mr. Amarasuriya and Mr. Anura Tennekoon, Chief Executive of the BCCSL, held discussions in Colombo today with Mr. Chisty Mujahid, Director of the Pakistan Cricket Board, regarding Colombo hosting the tournament.

The tournament, which is tentatively scheduled to be held between August 24 and September 8, 2002, was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan, but concerns over security led to it being shifted to Kenya. The ICC has strongly supported the staging of this tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, as it is keen to develop the game in that country. However, Kenya's Sports Minister has stated that the series is not to go ahead, as the Kenyan government does not recognize the authority of the Kenya Cricket Association.

The ICC on Thursday issued a statement urging the government of Kenya and the Kenya Cricket Association to put any issues behind them and work together for the benefit of Kenyan cricket. (BCCSL Media Release)

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