SLC hopeful LPL will go ahead in August

By Leonard Ratnayake

President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Shammi Silva is optimistic that the planned Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 tournament will go ahead as scheduled later this year. During the initial COVID-19 outbreak in Sri Lanka, SLC had advertised a tender notice calling for an expression of interest in the launch of the LPL, which is scheduled to take place from 15 August - 4 September 2020.

“The tournament committee is working hard to get the necessary measures ready in place to stage the cricketing show as planned,” revealed Silva.

Silva meanwhile is also hopeful that Sri Lanka will be able to play England and South Africa in a rescheduled tour before the end of the year. Asked about any loss of income incurred by SLC as a result of the cancellation of the home series against England, he said that they had not accounted any losses so far as the series was postponed not cancelled, as mutually agreed by both countries.

Answering a query regarding any possible cash flow issues faced by SLC due to the halt of cricketing activities in the country, Silva said that fortunately SLC is still assured of funds from the International Cricket Council (ICC) this year as dues for Sri Lanka’s 2019 commitments. This, he said, would ensure that his administration would be able manage SLC’s financial stability for 2020. 

“Although the country is at a halt, SLC is paying all the contracted players, its employees and contractors with their obligations, and are maintaining grounds in a proper manner,” explained Silva.

Noting how sad it was that staff on daily wages are being deprived of their income at the moment, Silva struck a hopeful note voicing his optimism at SLC resuming cricketing activities in the near future. He noted that a potentially busy schedule once cricket resumes would help them recover any potential losses.

The SLC President also heaped praise on the steps taken by the government and its affiliated institutions in its fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the island. 

“I am confident that these commendable efforts by the government and the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 will bear fruit, and people in our country could return to normalcy in a month’s time. 

“Two months down the line we should be able to resume our cricketing activities” said Silva. 

Silva also emphasised that it is important that everyone should adhere strictly to the guidelines regarding COVID-19 prevention and help the institutions fighting against the virus in the country.