Sri Lanka proposes Dambulla as alternate venue for CT

Determined to bag the hosting rights of the Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka has proposed Dambulla as alternative venue if participants show reluctance to play in Colombo due to security reasons.

Last month the International Cricket Council decided to relocate the eight-nation tournament from Pakistan after some countries raised security concerns about touring the trouble-torn country.

Sources aware of the developments related to Sri Lankan cricket said although some countries are still in favour of holding the tournament in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, India had promised to support the island nation in its bid when the ICC board takes a decision on the new venue in April.

"Sri Lankan authorities have conveyed to ICC that they can host the entire tournament at Dambulla to ease security concerns," one source said.

"The Indian cricket board is strongly supporting Sri Lanka hosting the tournament because it apparently is part of an agreement between the two boards which also saw the sacking of Arjuna Ranatunga as head of the interim committee by the Sri Lankan Sports minister," the source alleged.

The source said the Indian board was unhappy with Ranatunga when he was president of Sri Lanka Cricket and wanted him out after a series of tiffs.

"Apparently the word is that the Sri Lankan Sports Ministry and board was told they would get the Champions Trophy if Ranatunaga went. That is why India is pushing for the Lankans to host the tournament," the source alleged.