Sri Lanka calls for FTP overhaul to secure more Tests with India, England and Australia
Eran Wickramaratne, interim committee chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket, urged a revision of the ICC’s Future Tours Programme in Colombo on August 23, 2026 to create more Test-match opportunities against India, England and Australia, he told select media. The appeal came as Sri Lanka seek greater access to red-ball fixtures amid a crowded international calendar.
Sri Lanka returned to Test cricket in June-July after a year-long absence by playing a two-match series against the West Indies and are currently engaged in a two-Test series against India. Wickramaratne said the board wants to prioritise Test cricket even as limited-overs formats have filled much of the schedule.
Wickramaratne placed responsibility for Sri Lanka’s limited Test exposure on the international calendar and the FTP, saying: "I think it's the international calendar which is causing this issue of us not playing enough Tests, and this is the format we want to do well. But the tours are determined by the FTP and we're hoping to have more tours with India in the next (World Test Championship) cycle," Wickramaratne told select media here.
On prospects for increased fixtures with top nations, he added: "We've heard that we'll have a few more (tours) in the next cycle so we're keeping our fingers crossed. But obviously India, England, Australia are the teams that the entire world is looking at playing and I think we want to make sure that we get tours from those countries."
Addressing the imbalance between formats, Wickramaratne said: "Yes, we need a balance and now we are scheduled to play 10 Test matches whereas we've played hardly anything this year. So, I think we need to rework our FTP and see how it goes. "I think it's the T20 and 50-over cricket which has congested the calendar in a sense. But we want to play India because the truth is we depend on India a lot, and they are also the financial power in cricket," he said.
Wickramaratne described recent discussions with ICC president Jay Shah and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia as constructive, saying: "I had a conversation with Jay Shah, and recently we had a visit from BCCI's Devajit Saikia. We want to make sure that we work together in building cricket here and across the world. We need the support of India and we really appreciate the support we get. "India is also stuck with a tight calendar of their own and they struggle to come here. But for us it would be great if we can have more teams coming and playing here but I guess it will depend on the international calendar. Yes, we had a very good meeting. They were very good with us," he noted.
Former Sri Lanka batsman Sidath Wettimuny, a member of the interim committee, outlined administrative reforms aimed at strengthening governance and said the new constitution includes independent directors. "Like India had the Lodha commission, other boards in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia did make some changes. So we need to change with the times and one of the most fundamental things that we have done in this current constitution is having independent directors as well, not all elected. "So that will be a very significant change from the old system to the new system because we feel we need more accountability, transparency and visibility about everything that's happening. I think it will be better for Sri Lanka cricket," said Wettimuny.
Sri Lanka are scheduled to play six further Tests this year — two each away to Pakistan and New Zealand, and a two-match home series against South Africa — which brings their total for the calendar to 10 Test matches.
