LPL set for 28 August; pending easing of airport restrictions

• SLC hope to petition Govt. to allow foreign arrivals only for players taking part
• If no agreement found, LPL will be postponed to 2021
• Domestic season restart dates to be confirmed at EGM later today

By Madushka Balasuriya

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that the Lanka Premier League (LPL) will go ahead as planned this year, running from 28 August – 20 September. The decision, which was rubber-stamped at an Executive Committee meeting last evening, will however be subject to discussions with the Government surrounding the easing of restrictions on foreign arrivals.

The country’s main airport in Katunayake has been closed for months following the outbreak of COVID-19, with its scheduled reopening pushed back several times already. The most recently touted date for reopening has been 1 September. 

However SLC CEO Ashley De Silva speaking to Daily FT said that the Board hopes to come to an understanding with the Government over the possibility of cricketers from foreign countries being granted exemptions to enter the country. 

“We are hoping to arrange a meeting with the health authorities next week to discuss the necessary health and safety guidelines and then after that arrange a meeting with the necessary authorities,” explained De Silva. 

According to an SLC media release, “over 70 international players and 10 top notch coaches” have already confirmed their availability to take part in the tournament, while nearly all of Sri Lanka’s national team players – with international cricket still sidelined – will also be expected to play a major role.

“We have set a deadline of between 13-15 August – about two weeks before the start of the tournament – to come to an agreement on the possibility of foreign arrivals,” added De Silva.

With this the only window available, if the LPL does not go ahead this year, De Silva confirmed that it would be postponed to 2021.

As per SLC, the 23-match tournament will be played across four international venues; R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and Suriyawewa Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

The five teams contesting will be named after the cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla and Jaffna.

The bidding for the event’s ‘Title Holder’ meanwhile is due to close on 30 July, with the match schedule to be published afterwards.    

Domestic season restart date to be confirmed

De Silva also confirmed to Daily FT that the restart date for the domestic cricket season will depend on if the LPL goes ahead or not. 

If the tournament, which has already been granted Sports Ministry approval, goes ahead as scheduled the domestic season will likely start after the tournament. If not, the domestic season will restart by mid-August. 

The exact dates will be confirmed at a Special General Meeting later today.