Harin to resign if allegations against Sri Lankan T20 World Cup cricket team are proven

Sports Minister Harin Fernando yesterday vowed to resign from his Ministerial position if allegations of indiscipline within the Sri Lankan cricket team, currently participating in the 2024 T20 World Cup, are proven. 

“Some groups are employing various advertisements to address players’ mental conditions in cricket. Allegations of misconduct have surfaced against Sri Lankan players during this year’s T20 World Cup, and I am prepared to resign from my Ministerial post if these accusations are substantiated,” Fernando told journalists during a briefing at the Presidential Media Centre under the theme “Collective Path to a stable country.”

Fernando said the new Sports Act is set to be presented for Cabinet approval.

“Sri Lanka boasts 73 different sports, and the new legislation will encompass all of them, including cricket. Efforts have been on-going to depoliticise sports, a goal further reinforced by the new Sports Act, which bars even local councillors from holding office in sports associations,” he added.

The Sports Minister also said the Sri Lanka Premier League Cricket Tournament is overseen by the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the Ministry doesn’t interfere.

“There are plans to secure funding from the ICC to construct an additional stadium capable of hosting day-night matches. For a country to host a tournament like the World Cup, it requires at least five international-standard stadiums capable of day-night matches. By building this additional stadium, Sri Lanka aims to meet this requirement and potentially host the 2026 Cricket World Cup alone,” Fernando added.

At the briefing, he also highlighted the Government’s significant investment in athletes’ welfare, noting that 60 athletes who have achieved international recognition receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 50, 000, while an additional 850 athletes receive an allowance of Rs. 10, 000 per month.

Minister Fernando also noted that the Government has implemented measures to provide insurance coverage for school rugby players.

“400 school rugby players have been insured, and a new program has been initiated to support these children,” he said.

According to Fernando, attention has also been directed towards renovating the Sugathadasa Stadium. To facilitate this, the Khettarama Stadium is expected to be transferred to the Cricket Institute, along with a funding allocation of one billion rupees for the renovation works. Additionally, there are plans to enact legislation in the future to bring sports complexes across the island under the management of Sugathadasa. The Sports Ministry is organising a sports festival scheduled for next August.

Ticket sales for LPL Kandy matches begin

The much-anticipated ticket sales for the Kandy leg of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 will commence today evening.

The tickets will go online at 3 p.m. and can be purchased by visiting Bookmyshow.com. states a Sri Lanka Cricket media release.

The tournament will commence on 1 July at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium with the opening game to be played between Kandy Falcons and Dambulla Sixers. A total of five games will be played at Pallekele before the tournament moves to Dambulla.

Link: https://lk.bookmyshow.com/special/kandy-vs-dambulla/ET00005360?webview=true

Ticket Prices

Stand Price (LKR)

A Lower 750

B Lower 750

Grand Stand Top Level Box 1 3000

Grand Stand Top Level Box 2 3000

Grand Stand Top Level Box 3 3000

Grand Stand Top Level Box 4 3000

Grand Stand Top Level Box 5 3000

Grand Stand Top Level A 1500

Grass Embankment (Scoreboard End) 200

Grass Embankment (West) 200