Colombo, June 20, 2026: ICC Chairman Jay Shah held a high-level meeting with Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss the future of cricket in Sri Lanka, focusing on grassroots initiatives, youth development programmes, and expanding opportunities for emerging talent.
Sharing details of the meeting through a social media post on Friday, Jay Shah described the interaction as productive and forward-looking, emphasizing cricket’s role in fostering social impact and economic growth.
According to Shah, discussions centred on strengthening pathways for young cricketers, enhancing grassroots infrastructure, and creating greater opportunities for the next generation of players. The two leaders also exchanged views on Sri Lanka’s continued contribution to international cricket and its growing importance as a host of major global tournaments.
Highlighting Sri Lanka’s rich cricketing legacy, Shah reaffirmed the ICC’s commitment to working closely with stakeholders in the country to further develop the sport and unlock new opportunities for aspiring cricketers.
“It was a privilege to meet His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and discuss the current status of cricket in Sri Lanka. We focused on increasing opportunities for emerging players, supporting grassroots and youth development programmes, and leveraging cricket as a vehicle for social impact and economic growth,” Shah said in his post.
The meeting underscores the ICC’s broader vision of strengthening cricket development across member nations while ensuring sustainable growth of the game at all levels.
The engagement is being viewed as a significant step toward enhancing Sri Lanka’s cricket ecosystem and reinforcing the country’s pivotal role in the global cricketing landscape.
