COLOMBO, Dec 29: The Sri Lankan Cricket Board on Wednesday announced it was cancelling its tour of New Zealand following the tsunami disaster that has ravaged the island country.

"Taking into consideration the tsunami disaster Sri Lanka faces, Sri Lanka Cricket decided to cancel the ongoing tour of New Zealand," the board said in a statement released here.

The board said the decision was taken after the board made a request to the New Zealand Cricket board. "The New Zealand Cricket Inc., and Sri Lanka Cricket agreed to reschedule the tour at some appropriate time in the future," the statement said.

"The Sri Lankan cricketers have always stood by the people of this country in good times and bad times. The cancellation of this tour will enable the cricketers to help the board assist victims of the disaster." -AFP