- Decision taken by SL Govt and SLC due to Covid-19 situation in Island Nation
Colombo: Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that the Lanka Premier League will be held from 27th November to 17th December 2020 and will only be played 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.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) take this opportunity to thank His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka, Honorable (Mrs.) Pavithra Wanniarachchi, The Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine and Honorable Namal Rajapaksa, The Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs for extending their support towards holding the tournament.
Sri Lanka Cricket also wishes to thank Lieutenant General Shavendra De Silva, The Head of the Covid-19 Task Force, Major General (Dr.) Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Health and the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena for also extending their support towards holding the tournament.
According to the latest plan, the revised new schedule of the tournament will be announced shortly.