In a decisive move, Sports Minister Harin Fernando called an emergency meeting with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials yesterday and demanded a “proper plan” for the upcoming T20 World Cup and the rest of 2024. The meeting addressed the team’s underwhelming performances in 2023, including the ODI and Under-19 World Cup losses, and scrutinized existing plans for the future.

Minister Fernando reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with current strategies and emphasized the need for a comprehensive and actionable plan encompassing player development, team selection, and overall cricketing approach.

Following intense discussions, Fernando issued a strict ultimatum, demanding a concrete plan from SLC within a week. This plan must outline comprehensive strategies for the T20 World Cup, scheduled for June 2024 in the West Indies and USA, and address broader concerns raised by High Performance Center Consultant Sanath Jayasuriya’s critical report on the U-19 team.