Chairman's report - Cricket-Aid

1. "World Vision" has agreed to donate a pre match commitment of Australian Dollars 500,000/= to SLC Cricket-Aid and has expressed their willingness to increase the sum. This money is to be used primarily for the 1000 children's foster parent scheme and for the construction of Cricket Villages.

2. The New Zealand Cricket Board along with FICA (Federation of International Cricket Association) and New Zealand Cricket Association has come forward to help the Tsunami victims by agreeing with SLC to stage 3 fund raising cricket matches between Black Caps and FICA World XI in New Zealand on 22nd, 24th and 26th January 2005. The minimum sum guaranteed to be raised by the event is US$ 230,000

3. The Disaster Assistance Committee, Sri Lanka Cricket, of Cricket Aid visited Jaffna and Killinochchi areas yesterday (09.01.2005) accompanied by M/s Aravinda de Silva, Mahela Jayawrdena and Russell Arnold. They met the Officials of Northern Province and pursuant to their discussions had, agreed to set up a camp in Mullaitivu to accommodate 200 persons affected by the tsunami. Arrangements are being made to set up and operate a camp in Mullaitivu by the SLC Dambulla center by 13th January 2005.

4. It has also been decided to build a `Cricket Village' in Mullaitivu instead of Killinochchi as planned earlier. A land consisting of 50 acres has been identified for this purpose. Initially Cricket-Aid will develop 10 acres for the purpose of the Cricket Village whilst the balance 40 acres are for cricket grounds, recreational centers, children's centre, community centre, places of worship etc.