Colombo’s dreams of a tourism boom from the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup showdown are evaporating fast. Pakistan’s official boycott of the February 15 game in the Sri Lankan capital has prompted SLC to plead with PCB amid mounting losses.
Jointly hosting the 2026 event with India starting February 7, Sri Lanka stood to gain immensely from the global frenzy surrounding this rivalry. But now, hoteliers report a surge in cancellations, jeopardizing jobs and revenue in a sector vital to national recovery.
In a strongly worded letter, SLC outlined the fallout: packed schedules upended, travel plans scrapped, and businesses left high and dry. They invoked historical solidarity with Pakistan, urging the board to reconsider for mutual benefit.
PCB remains unmoved, backed by a former star who called the plea pointless. ‘This is an ICC matter now, not for letters,’ he told reporters over phone. Government instructions are clear—no play against India in Colombo.
The ripple effects extend to airlines rerouting flights and tour packages gathering dust. Experts caution that prolonged uncertainty could scar Sri Lanka’s economy deeply. SLC isn’t backing down, vowing to take the fight to the ICC while hoping diplomacy prevails. The saga highlights how geopolitics can derail sport’s commercial promise.