The International Cricket Council today thanked Sri Lanka for hosting the ICC Champions Trophy Sri Lanka 2002, which is the largest and most successful Champions Trophy Tournament ever, and expressed confidence that this excellent tournament has showcased Sri Lanka to the world.

ICC President Malcolm Gray, addressing a media conference at the Hotel Taj Samudra in Colombo, said: "I would like to mention the thanks of the ICC to the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka who are hosting the tournament. I believe that this Champions Trophy has been the most successful Champions Trophy we have held, in that it is larger, both in terms of games and commercial content. We think that it's been an extraordinarily successful tournament."

"The people in Sri Lanka that really must get a mention the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka who have been soundly behind the tournament, the Sri Lankan government which has also given us great encouragement, and the BCCSL headed by its Chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya, deserve our thanks. The tournament, as I said, has been successful. We're very pleased we came to Sri Lanka and we believe that it has helped Sri Lanka, both economically and in terms of showcasing Sri Lanka to the world."

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed added: "What we are seeing here is exceptional public support. The Sri Lankan community really is very committed to this event. We're very aware that they are obviously passionate about cricket."

The ICC and BCCSL worked together over a very short period of four months since the decision was taken to award the tournament to Sri Lanka. The tournament, the largest in world cricket apart from the World Cup, brought together 12 teams, including the world's best known cricketers, for 15 matches over a period of 18 days at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium and Singhalese Sports Club grounds.