Sri Lanka Cricket

Sri Lanka Cricket is driven by a single, all encompassing vision:
to make Sri Lanka the best cricket playing nation in the world in both forms of the game. Great progress has been made since Sri Lanka’s inaugural Test against England in 1982, including a World Cup win in 1996, but the fulfillment of our ambition will require dynamic leadership and much hard work over the coming years.

The achievement of excellence at the international level demands that Sri Lanka Cricket employs the best possible support staff and trainers for our players and offers them international standard training facilities.

To this end, Sri Lanka Cricket secured the services of former Australia batsman John Dyson in Sept 2003 as national team coach on an initial 20-month contract. John, a highly qualified assistant coach at New South Wales for two years from 1996 to 1998, brings with him considerable experience of the latest coaching techniques and technological aids.


World cricket has changed dramatically during the past decade. The physical demands on the players are now immense. Sri Lanka Cricket therefore also decided to appoint a team physiotherapist, Paul Klarenaar, and a separate full-time fitness trainer, Shane Duff. Paul was based at the New South Wales Institute of Sport from 1995 to 2003. Shane, a Grade I cricketer and former professional rugby league player, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Movement Studies from the Australian Catholic University, Sydney.
The international team will also be offered support and guidance from Champika Ramanayake, a full-time fast bowling coach, and Oshadee Weerasinghe, a full-time spin bowling coach.

Sri Lanka Cricket is also taking steps to ensure that our players can benefit from world-class training facilities. Five international venues – Premadasa, SSC, Galle, Pallakelle (under construction) and Dambulla – have been identified for special development work over the coming years. A cricket academy and training facility has been developed at Premadasa International Stadium. A special High Performance Training Centre, called The Cricket Campus, is also in the pipeline.

To help bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket, and to speed up the development of our upcoming players, a new intensive program for the A team and Under-19 has been agreed. The A team will undertake a total of 15 tours or series over the coming 5 years, an unprecedented level of international exposure that we hope will better prepare our young players for the highest level.