Cricket: Sri Lanka's tour of New Zealand has been postponed following the tsunami that has devastated the southern Asian nation.

International Cricket Council Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said the council was comfortable with the decision of both boards to postpone the series.

"The impact of the tsunami on Sri Lanka has been devastating and we fully understand the decision taken by the boards to postpone the series," Speed said.

"In this situation where two of our members have agreed to postpone the series there is no issue of fines or compensation."

Sri Lanka Cricket also issued a statement saying the tour was being postponed after stating on Tuesday the players wanted to return home.

"The Sri Lankan cricketers have always stood by the people of this country in good times and bad times," the statement said.

"The cancellation of this tour will enable the Sri Lankan cricketers to join Sri Lanka Cricket to assist the victims affected by this grave disaster."

Sri Lanka lost to New Zealand in the first of five one-day internationals on Sunday and were due to play two Tests in January. Sri Lanka Cricket had said on Tuesday the tour would have to continue if they faced financial penalty from the ICC for cancelling the tour. But the governing body reassured them that if both boards agreed, the tour could be put off.

Officials have said none of the Sri Lanka players lost family members in the disaster, but it was reported that the mothers of Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Chandana have been injured.

The country's former world record wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan said he narrowly missed being hit by the tsunami, and had been in one of the worst affected areas just minutes before it struck. "I missed the wave by 20 minutes," he said. "I had only just left Galle, so I am very lucky to be alive."