The development of talented players must be at the heart of efforts to take Sri Lankan cricket forward, Minister of Sports Sunil Kumar Gamage has said, stressing that no number of committees or plans can produce results without quality players.

Speaking to media in Colombo, Minister Gamage said the country’s priority should be to identify and develop talented cricketers from the grassroots level and create a strong pathway for them to progress to the highest level.

“No matter how good the committees we appoint are, or how good the plans we formulate are, we cannot take the sport forward without players,” the Sports Minister said.

He said greater emphasis must be placed on producing talented players from the foundation level, rather than relying solely on those currently in the system.

“We cannot expect that level from some of the players who are currently in the team,” Minister Gamage said.

The Minister also acknowledged that Sri Lankan cricket is facing challenges stemming from problems that have existed for some time. He said the solution requires a long-term approach focused on rebuilding the sport from the grassroots up.

“Our aim should be to develop players from the grassroots level and bring them through,” he said, emphasizing that building a steady pipeline of talented cricketers is essential to the future of Sri Lankan cricket.