Mendis Denies Press Reports On American Tour (26 Apr 1996)

Mendis denies press reports on American tour

Sri Lanka team Manager Duleep mendis denied recent press reports and said the organisers of the two exhibition cricket matches in Los Angeles provided everything for the Sri Lanka cricketers and there was no need to worry about the financial aspect either.

Mendis said that there was no truth in statements that have been made that the promised monies have not been paid to the cricketers. He said that besides the guarantee money, each cricketer was paid 1,000 dollars each for each match plus 50 dollars each per day as pocket money. Mendis also said that the team was also insured. Referring to the press reports which stated that the organisers have collected large sums of money, but ignored the Sri Lanka team, Mendis said that those reports were all ` made up`. Arjuna says World champs need a good rest

Though the Los Angeles part of the tour was not very serious, but up in Trinidad, it was serious cricket, said Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga as the team returned to Colombo on Wednesday.

Ranatunga said that America will take a long time to reach the top in big-time cricket. He said the cricketers have been playing without a break for the last three to four months and the players need a good rest. The cricketers are now expected to be seen in action in the local scene in Mercantile `A` division tournament which starts this weekend.

Source:: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)