Mobitel to sponsor Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has signed a lucrative deal with Sri Lanka's leading telecom company, Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, for US$4.85 million to sponsor the national team for three years, starting on April 1.

Charith Senanayake, SLC's marketing director, said this was the highest ever sponsorship package for the national team. Dialog Telecom, the current sponsors, and National Development Bank also bid for the rights.

Dialog Telecom took over the sponsorship rights temporarily for three months till the Sri Lankan board found a permanent sponsor when the deal with Dilmah Tea Company finished at the end of 2008. The Dialog sponsorship runs out at the end of March when Sri Lanka finish their two-Test series in Pakistan.

Dilmah sponsored the team for six years, paying a massive US$3.5million for the first three years, which was then the highest sponsorship deal for the national team.

Meanwhile, Tommy Simsek has been reappointed as the physiotherapist of the Sri Lankan team, succeeding local physio Ranjith Nanayakarawasam, who held the job temporarily.

Simsek broke ties with the Sri Lankan board last March to sign up with the Indian Premier League (IPL). Senanayake said Simsek will join the team for the Pakistan Tests.