With thanks to the Daily Mirror Sports

Sri Lanka Cricket chief Arjuna Ranatunga who made an official visit to Canada last week held talks with Canadian Cricket Association on the ways to offer Sri Lanka’s help for the development of the sport in Canada

During the discussions, Ranatunga has agreed to “adopt” the Canada’s national cricket team in an interesting move which would see Sri Lanka assuming the responsibility of nurturing the Canadian side to highest international level.

The agreement between the two Cricket Boards will be signed very soon, according to sources in Canada.

Once the move is finalized, Sri Lanka will be the first South Asian Country to adopt a western Cricket playing country and it will be done on the same lines how Australia had helped Bangladesh before test status.

Ranatunga’s visit which would break new ground in world cricket was made amidst heavy protests by the strong Tamil community in Toronto according to sources.

Groups in Toronto were protesting as minister Ranatunga is part of the present government and launched a massive campaign to sabotage his visit.

Special security arrangements had been made for Ranatunga in Toronto by the organisers of his visit, The Can-Indo-Lanka’s team headed by Romesh Angunawela, Harsha Caldera, Canadian Cricket Associations CEO Atul Ahuja and Canadian National Cricket Coach Pubudu Dassanayake with the help of  Sri Lanka High Commission and the Toronto Police.

During his visit, Ranatunga also met the top members of the Canada Cricket Association (CCA) and also attended special net practice session with the national team.

Ranatunga also had talks with a prominent figure in Canadian Politics Dr. Ruby Dhalla who is the first South Asian woman to be elected to the Federal Parliament in the Western world. She is also a part of the CCA.

Dhalla also invited Ranatunga to get involved in a programme she runs in three countries supporting underprivileged kids and Ranatunga has promptly pledged his support.