Sri Lanka Cricket will push ahead with its inaugural T20 premier league (from July 19 to August 4) with Australian and Pakistani players, despite a no-show by Indian stars, the island's sports minister said yesterday.

"We will lose a bit of money because Indian players are not coming but the tournament will be played as planned," Mahindananda Aluthgamage told AFP after failed talks to bring the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on board. The minister said the Indian board's reluctance stemmed from reports that the event was being organised by a Singapore-based company with alleged links to Lalit Modi. "Mr Modi is not involved in our tournament. But we have to accept India's decision. We remain friends with India," he said.