COLOMBO : The Lanka Premier League,LPL, will be held from 27th November to 17th December 2020 at the MRICS, Hambantota.
The latest revision, both in the commencement date and the venue, was affected, following several rounds of meetings, Sri Lanka Cricket had with the health ministry Officials. Accordingly, the Government today gave its approval to go ahead with the tournament, subjected to strict and stringent health guidelines to adhere to during the tournament.
“Holding of the tournament in Hambantota and in one venue, enhances our plan of setting up and maintaining an effective Bio-Secure Bubble, and with the approval coming from the government, we are now confident of going ahead with the tournament,’’ said Mr. Ravin Wickramaratne, Vice President of Sri Lanka Cricket and the Tournament Director of the LPL.
“These are difficult times and the Sri Lankan Government and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have come up with the best solution possible and I am thankful to all involved in these discussions in the last few days. It wasn’t easy, but I think this is the best decision keeping the wellbeing of Sri Lankan cricket and Sri Lankan people in mind,” said Mr. Anil Mohan, CEO of Dubai-based IPG, the promoters of LPL.
Meanwhile, Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa says that Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry and the Covid-19 Task Force have given the ‘green light’ to go ahead with the Lanka Premier League (LPL), the Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament scheduled to commence this month.
In a Twitter post confirming this, the Sports Minister thanked the President and Prime Minister while also stating that this is indicatory of the government’s commitment to adapt to the ‘new normal’ and return the country to normalcy while adhering to health guidelines.
“Ministry of Health – Sri Lanka & COVID task force have given the green-light to go ahead with #LPL2020 Sri Lanka Cricket.”
“Thankful to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. This is indicatory of the govt’s commitment to adapt to #NewNormal & return the country to normalcy whilst adhering to MoH guidelines,” he tweeted.
The meeting was also attended by the health ministry officials and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa.
The Health Ministry is now expected to issue further guidelines especially with regard to the players coming from overseas to participate in the tournament.
Teams will compete in 23 matches over a 15-day period for the title.
