Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) secretary Mohan de Silva has said that the country will get a huge economic boost of around US $ 2.5 million by hosting Australia. It must be noted that Sri Lanka is currently going through economic turmoil with several protests going on in the country.

However, with the Aussies coming to tour Sri Lanka, the island nation will get an economic boost and generate a good amount of revenue. At first, the home side will take on Australia in three-match T20I series starting on June 7 (Tuesday). After the T20I series, the focus will shift to the 50-over series as a total of five ODI matches will be played between June 14 and June 24. A two-match Test series will be followed, which is slated to start on June 29.

The Australia tour is very important for the country: Mohan de Silva

“While welcoming the Australians, I am proud to say that the Australian tour is very important to the country not only on the cricket front but also economically given the foreign exchange revenue accruing to the country during this critical juncture of the economy as Sri Lanka Cricket has unanimously decided to donate all the proceeds for the benefit of the people,” de Silva was quoted as saying by Sri Lanka Cricket.

The SLC secretary paid gratitude to Cricket Australia (CA) for having faith in them and sending their best team for the tour.

“It has been a magnanimous gesture by Cricket Australia of which we are very appreciative and grateful. It is particularly an example to other major cricket-playing countries that have been shying from sending teams here. In that vein, the great gesture by Cricket Australia and its players touring Sri Lanka at such a critical economic juncture is a victory not only for Sri Lanka Cricket, but the country as a whole,” he added.