NEW DELHI: India’s scheduled tour of Sri Lanka in August, comprising two Tests and two T20 Internationals, will go ahead as planned.

However, the BCCI has reportedly declined Sri Lanka Cricket’s proposal to stage a pair of charity T20 matches in December to raise funds for victims of Cyclone Ditwah, SLC chairman Shammi Silva told reporters.

The cyclone caused widespread devastation across the island nation, resulting in losses estimated at USD 1.6 billion and claiming nearly 600 lives.

“We discussed a tour for two games on December 27 and 29 in aid of Ditwah cyclone reconstruction but could not finalize arrangements on the commercial side in time,” Silva told reporters.

He confirmed that India will tour Sri Lanka in August for a full series featuring two Tests and two T20 Internationals.

Silva also said that proceeds from the three-match T20I series against Pakistan, scheduled to begin next week in the central town of Dambulla, will be donated to the cyclone relief and rehabilitation fund.

Day/Night Test in near future at Sinhalese Sports Club ground

Silva further informed that preparations for the men’s T20 World Cup, set to begin next month, are in full swing, with major focus on the ongoing refurbishment of the iconic Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

“We are spending 1.75 billion LKR for installing flood lights in the short term,” SLC treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyadda said.

He added that the pylons have been imported from India, while the lighting system will be sourced from Italy for the historic venue that also houses the SLC headquarters.

Long-term upgrades are also planned, including increasing the stadium’s seating capacity from 20,000 to 30,000.

SLC CEO Samantha Dodanwela said recognition of the SSC ground was long overdue, citing it as the club venue with the best facilities in Colombo.

“In the long term we could hope to host the day night Tests here,” Dodanwela said.

However, contrary to reports published by certain newswire outlets, no SLC official has spoken about hosting a day-night Test against India.

The SSC ground will host the opening match of the World Cup, a daytime fixture between Pakistan and the Netherlands on February 7. Four additional matches are also scheduled at the venue, which hosted Sri Lanka’s first home ODI against England in 1982.

(With PTI Inputs)