Ashley de Silva (CEO, SLC), Mohan de Silva (Secretary, SLC), Dr. Jayantha Dharmadasa (Vice President, SLC), Ravin Wickramaratne (VP, SLC and Tournament Director, LPL), Anil Mohan (Founder, CEO and MD, IPG) and Professor Arjuna de Silva (Event Medical Director, LPL) at the event. Picture by Nishanka de Silva
The much awaited inaugural ‘My11circle’ Lanka Premier League (LPL) cricket tournament will kick off tomorrow with the participation of five teams at the MRICS, Hambanthota, amidst several challenges which were well addressed by the Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, whose indefatigable efforts to make this event a reality was ably supported by the Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and her team, with the approval from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
After several hiccups, mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) finally managed to make this tournament a reality, under closed doors.
SLC had to seek the support of the Sports Minister who made valiant efforts to see that the event took place, as it will help the Lankan cricketers while boosting the country’s.
Five teams - Dambulla Vikings, Galle Gladiators, Kandy Tuskers, Colombo Kings and Jaffna Stallions - will compete in this year’s tournament. The teams are packed with some top-class international cricketers from around the world.
Briefing the gathering SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva said: “We are delighted to partner with the Innovate Production Group (IPG). This is a historic moment for Sri Lanka cricket as we were planning to hold this event for quite some time, but due to various reasons we were deprived.
Even though we planned to commence last August, due to the second wave of this pandemic we had to push back the event. Due to the untiring efforts of the President of SLC Shammi Silva, who pursued the matter while encountering turbulent times, SLC was able to overcome all challenges and the executive committee was encouraged to go-ahead and make it a reality.”
“We would like to extend our gratitude for the magnanimous role and encouragement given by Namal Rajapaksa the Sports Minister who really went out of his way to gain necessary approvals to make this happen. I also thank President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Government of Sri Lanka, Department of Health and their staff, Army Commander and his team of officials and other stakeholders who worked hard to make this a successful one,” concluded Mohan de Silva.
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