By Dwayne Ferreira.
Sri Lanka Cricket Under-13 support expands as nearly 900 schools receive tournament cricket balls, while girls’ teams gain travel grants.
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka Cricket Under-13 schools cricket support has expanded nationwide, with cricket balls being distributed to nearly 900 schools competing in the 2026 tournament.
Sri Lanka Cricket is conducting the programme together with the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association as part of its grassroots development efforts.
The first distribution event took place at the Duncan White Auditorium of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs.
During the opening phase, cricket balls were handed to 81 Division I schools and 84 Division II schools.
Nearly 300 participants attended, including school principals, coaches, sports teachers and representatives of schools taking part in the competition.
Sri Lanka Cricket Under-13 programme reaches nearly 900 schools
Almost 900 schools have registered for the 2026 Under-13 tournament across Divisions I, II and III.
Under the programme, Sri Lanka Cricket plans to provide every participating school with the cricket balls needed for the competition.
Officials also briefed participants on updated playing conditions, tournament laws and regulations for the 2026 season.
The briefing aims to ensure schools across the country apply playing conditions and tournament regulations consistently.
Sri Lanka Cricket has identified school cricket as a key part of its player-development pathway and continues to provide equipment and support through its national development programmes.
Girls’ schools receive travel grants
At the same event, Sri Lanka Cricket awarded travel grants of Rs. 250,000 each to 13 girls’ schools competing in the Under-19 Girls’ Division I Tournament.
The funding aims to encourage participation and strengthen girls’ school cricket.
Among those present were SLC Cricket Committee Chairman Sidath Wettimuny, SLC Head of National Cricket Operations Chinthaka Edirimanne and Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association President Susantha Mendis. Senior officials from school cricket and the SLC High Performance Centre also attended.
