Updated Dec 24, 2008 at 05:44pm IST

'SL won't tour Pak without govt approval'

CNN-IBN
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New Delhi: The deterioration of relations between India and Pakistan seems to have led Sri Lanka to reconsider its decision on touring Pakistan for a series.

Sri Lanka had agreed to tour Pakistan after India pulled out following the Mumbai terror attacks.

The tour was agreed to by the now sacked chief of Sri Lanka cricket Arjuna Ranatunga without apparently any internal consultations. Sri Lanka had agreed to play three Test matches and five one-day games.

Sri Lankan sports minister Gamini Lokuge spoke to CNN-IBN to explain further.

Gamini Lokuge: We want to get approval from the Sri Lankan government and the foreign ministry. Sri Lanka has a very good relationship with India. If the Indian government thought not to play with Pakistan, then we must follow their stance. Without getting approval from the government and the foreign ministry, we are not going to Pakistan.

CNN-IBN: But India had its own reasons, primarily protesting Pakistan's role in the the terror strikes in Mumbai recently.

Gamini Lokuge: The previous Sri Lankan Interim Committee chairman (Arjuna Ranatunga) had taken the decision to tour Pakistan, but the Interim Committee had not approved the decision. Now I have asked the acting CEO to stop all this before getting approval from the Sri Lankan government.

CNN-IBN: Aren't you running the risk of upsetting Pakistan by siding with India?

Gamini Lokuge: We want to have healthy relations with both India and Pakistan. But we must back India's position too.

CNN-IBN: Has there been a formal word from the Indian government on this issue?

Gamini Lokuge: I have contacted the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka. I intimated them about our new Interim Committee.

CNN-IBN: Was the rethink dictated by anything that the Indian government has conveyed to the Sri Lankan government?

Gamini Lokuge: I don't know about that.

CNN-IBN: When do we expect to get a final confirmation on that decision?

Gamini Lokuge: After Christmas, we expect to have a final decision on whether we are going to Pakistan or not.

CNN-IBN: Was Arjuna Ranatunga sacked because he didn't consult the Sri Lankan government?

Gamini Lokuge: Yes.

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