Lord's and the Rose Bowl bring a flavour of Sri Lanka:

Showcase of Lankan tourism features

With the npower Test series between England and Sri Lanka fast approaching, MCC and the Rose Bowl have established a relationship with the Sri Lanka High Commission that will bring the flavour of Sri Lanka to Lord's and the Rose Bowl this summer both on and off the pitch. The initiative has also been supported by British Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Sri Lanka Tourism, and Festival of Cricket.

This exciting initiative will create a festival atmosphere at both grounds and will showcase Sri Lankan culture in a colourful and exciting way. Sri Lanka Tourism's presence will extend around the grounds at both matches, with stalls displaying Sri Lankan handicrafts, tourism and musical entertainment.

On June 5, for the first time at Lord's a 15-strong Sri Lankan dancing group will perform at during the lunch interval. Playing the traditional Gata Bera drums and dressed in elaborate costumes and head dresses the dancers will entertain the crowds from the main ground.

British Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce will also be highlighting the appeal of Sri Lanka as a tourist destination and the country's trade and investment opportunities ahead of England's tour of Sri Lanka in 2012.

The match between the two sides at The Rose Bowl will be the first ever Test match on the South coast - a chance for fans to witness history in the making.

P.M. Amza, acting High Commissioner of the Sri Lanka High Commission said: "We are delighted to be able to announce this new cricketing partnership today.

"The MCC, the Rose Bowl and Sri Lanka High Commission will be working together from now on to try and engage the strong Sri Lankan community in the UK with already cricketing community in this country. "We all want to welcome as many Sri Lankans as possible along to the Test Matches at Lord's and the Rose Bowl this summer to help create a truly memorable atmosphere at those games.

"Going forward we all hope that this new cricketing partnership will mean that more Sri Lankans will get involved with cricket in this country - whether that's watching, or playing, or coaching or volunteering. We want to use cricket as a uniting force and very much look forward to seeing where this exciting new venture will take us."

MCC Assistant Secretary (Marketing & Catering) Jon Robinson, said: "At Lord's we pride ourselves on delivering a Test match experience unlike any other you can find anywhere else in the world.

We are delighted to be working with the Sri Lankan High Commission to help us deliver an experience both on and off the pitch which showcases the Home of Cricket and appeals to the home and away audience. Every cricketer dreams of one day playing at Lord's and we want the spectator experience to be just as memorable."

Chairman, Rose Bowl PLC Rod Bransgrove, said: "We are delighted that Sri Lanka will be helping us to create history here on the South Coast.

They have a wonderful team with some of the most innovative and technically gifted players in the world. They will be more than a match for an England team fresh from the glory of an Ashes victory down under.

"It should make for a fantastic spectacle and one which we hope cricket fans across the South will be keen to share with us."