ICC chief Jay Shah meets Sri Lanka President Dissanayake, discusses growth of cricket in Island nation

ICC chairman Jay Shah met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Friday to discuss the future of cricket in the country, with talks centred on grassroots development, youth programmes and creating more opportunities for young players.

Sharing details of the meeting on social media, Shah said the discussions focused on strengthening cricket’s foundation in Sri Lanka and exploring how the sport can contribute to wider social and economic development.

“It was a privilege to meet His Excellency President @anuradisanayake today and discuss the current status of cricket in Sri Lanka. Our discussions 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 wrote on X.

— jayshah (@jayshah) ICC chief Jay Shah meets Sri

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The ICC chairman said the two also discussed Sri Lanka’s role in hosting major international tournaments and its contribution to the growth of cricket around the world.

“Sri Lanka holds a special place in the history of cricket, and I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to further strengthen the game and create new opportunities for future generations. My sincere thanks to His Excellency for his time and unwavering support for cricket,” he added.

Shah assumed office as chairman of the International Cricket Council in December 2024 after stepping down as secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.