Following the signing of a partnership with Sri Lanka Cricket in March, the JCA welcomed Sri Lanka Cricket President, Mr. Shammi Silva, and Acting Secretary Mr. Chryshantha Kapuwatte to Japan in April.

Mr. Silva and Mr. Kapuwatte visited the Sano International Cricket Ground and discussed partnership initiatives with the JCA after a tour of the facilities.

The parties agreed on plans to send a coach and a curator from Sri Lanka to Japan, to send Sri Lankan players to Japan for the Women’s Japan Premier League, and to send Japanese players to Sri Lanka this year. They also had fruitful discussions on the status and future of Cricket in Japan.

The President and Acting Secretary visited Sano City Hall and met with the Mayor, Mr. Yutaka Kaneko with whom they discussed corporation in developing Cricket in Sano.

In a visit to Tokyo, they were joined by Deputy Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr. Kotaro Katsuki to visit the Parliamentary League for Cricket Promotion. They met with the President Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, the Secretary-General Mr. Hiroshi Kajimaya, the Chief Secretary Mr. Shinji Inoue of the League and discussed the development of Cricket in Japan and enhancing friendly relations between the two countries.

Sri Lanka Cricket and JCA officials also attended the reception for the Freedom Day of South Africa. The JCA had also formed a partnership with Titans Cricket in South Africa last year and the three parties joined in celebrating Freedom Day.

We would like to thank Mr. Silva, Mr. Kapuwatte and the many people who helped welcome them to Japan. We would also like to thank Mr. Priyantha Kariyapperuma, Goodwill Ambassador of Japanese Cricket for his assistance in making this visit possible.