Speaking at a ceremony felicitating the Sri Lankan swimmers who emerged victorious at the SAG, the minister said that the Sri Lankan team lost the recent T20 match against India do to an incorrect decision by Indian umpires.

Indian authorities are directly responsible for this, he added.

Despite the slump in the last tournament we have a strong team which bounces back at any time. Such a thing may not re-occur again and better umpires will be named. We should become the Asian champions in a strong manner and head towards the World Cup, the minister added.