India to make two tours of Sri Lanka

India have agreed to visit Sri Lanka and play two triangular one-day tournaments in 2005 and 2006, announced Mohan de Silva, the secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), on Wednesday. The agreement is a major boost for Sri Lanka's cash-strapped board, which had been struggling to sell its television and sponsorship rights for the next three years.

The agreement was thrashed out in Kolkata during a recent Asian Cricket Council meeting. The 2005 tournament will also include the West Indies, while South Africa have been penciled in as the third nation in the 2006 competition. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have also agreed to an ODI and Test tour to India in 2005 (April/May and Nov/Dec).

SLC, who earlier in the week announced a one-tour broadcasting deal with TEN Sports for Australia's forthcoming tour, now hope to be able to generate significant revenues through a 3-year rights offer. SLC will invite fresh bids from interested broadcasting companies and brokers shortly.