SLC suffers financial loss on West Indies series

The rescheduling of the one-day international series against the West Indies from December to late January has resulted in a loss of US$125,000 to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The series had to be postponed due to persistent bad weather across the island, and the number of matches was also curtailed from five to three.

Ajith Jayasekera, the SLC acting CEO, stated that the board had incurred a loss of approximately US$25,000 on each of the five matches that was to be televised by their broadcast partner Ten Sports. "We couldn't play the five matches and we didn't get the fee per match," Jayasekara said.

"The three-match series which is due to begin on January 31 is not a planned tour according to the agreement signed with the television broadcasting company. We have obtained legal advice and they say it should be considered a separate tour. It is not in the tour program according to the contract.

"Ten Sports had not planned for the postponement of the tour which occurred due to unforeseen circumstances and they were unable to meet those conditions. They also had no obligations for the current series."

In the absence of the regular broadcaster, the matches will be shown by Sri Lanka's national television station Rupavahini but will not be broadcast to the international audience.

The venues for the matches have also undergone changes with all three of them scheduled to be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. The first match is to be played on January 31 followed by the second and third on February 3 and 6.

Originally the matches were to be played at two World Cup venues, the first at Hambantota and the second and third at the R Premadasa Stadium. "At this point of time, there is no point in us being concerned about being unable to play at the World Cup venues," Kumar Sangakkara, the Sri Lanka captain, said.

"Our mental approach has to be regardless of getting experience on the wickets, there is a World Cup to be played, and played well. So our preparation is going to be the same. We are strong enough and we have the character to deal with whatever comes our way."

The series will be played in aid of the flood victims who lost their homes, belongings and loved ones during the recent floods in the country. Proceeds of all ticket sales will go to the flood victims, according to SLC.