Colombo: Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga fears that the huge amount of money offered to players by ventures like Indian Premier League and Indian Cricket League can adversely affect the youngsters.
"I have no problems with cricketers earning money when they get an opportunity, but it's the young players who can lose focus with money," Ranatunga, currently the Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket, told reporters.
"I hope this (losing focus) will not be the case and cricket will not be a business. The problem will start when money ruins the focus of young players," he added.
While the IPL has attracted leading Lankan players like Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttaiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Chamara Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga, the ICL has successfully wooed Marvan Atapattu, Upul Chandana and Russel Arnold.
About Sri Lanka's recent batting failure in the tri-series in Australia, Ranatunga said there was no need to panic.
In Australia Sri Lanka had failed to qualify for the tri-series finals, while they lost a home One-day series against England 3-2.
The Lankan team should now move on and get ready for the next World Cup to be jointly hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2011, Ranatunga said.
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