SLC to check on security measures for World Twenty20

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will be sending its security consultant Lawrence Fernando to England on May 17 to assess and report on the security measures in place for next month's World Twenty20. Nishantha Ranatunga, the board secretary, said Fernando would be in England till the first week of June until the tournament commences. "He will give us feedback on the security situation in the UK before the team leaves for the tournament on May 27," Ranatunga said.

The post of security consultant was created by the board following the attack in Lahore in March this year, where the Sri Lanka team and ICC officials were ambushed by terrorists on their way to the Test ground.

In another move, SLC replaced Sri Lanka Under-19 coach Roger Wijesuriya and appointed former Sri Lanka batsman Naveed Nawaz in his place. Nawaz, who is presently the consultant coach of the Sri Lankan women's team, is scheduled to take over after the ICC women's World Twenty20 in England next month. He will be in charge till the U-19 World Cup in 2010

Ranatunga said that Wijesuriya would be consultant to the Under-15 and U-17 teams as well. SLC has also appointed former Sri Lankan batsman Aravinda de Silva as consultant coach for the Sri Lanka U-19 team till the U-19 World Cup.

"This age group is a vital stage of a cricketer's career and we have received confirmation from Aravinda that he would be full time committed to the job," said Ranatunga. De Silva is currently involved in conducting an islandwide program called 'Cricket Pathway', which helps unearth latent talent.