Contradictions on LPL Approval

The third edition of the – Lanka Premier League (LPL) – is all set to take off on Tuesday in Hambantota without Sports Ministry approval.

This approval saga was stirred after Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, recently raised at the parliament exposing LPL was not granted the green light for yesteryear’s edition.

Based on media reports, he told Parliament that neither the Sports Ministry nor he as the Sports Minister has seen the agreement.

"I have sent a letter to the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) requesting for the agreement," he told Parliament.

However, in stunning contradiction, tournament director, Samantha Dodanwella, confirmed to the Sunday Times, after obtaining it at the onset that is valid as long as it’s needed.

Dr. Amal Harsha De Silva, Secretary to the Ministry of the Sports, in contrast, categorically denied any such approval.

“We haven’t received any documents so far”, he said.

Dodanwela, on the other hand, detailing out elaborated, “Yes, we have got the approval. This is not the first time. This is the third occasion we’re having. Every year we don’t need to be take approval. The approval was obtained in the beginning. You can’t start a tournament without a ministry approval”.

These off-field disturbances aside, in a rematch of the last year finalists, Jaffna Kings will take on Galle Gladiators, in the tournament-opener at the southernmost tip of the island.

The third chapter, will also be the first occasion, LPL will be played before full crowds and in three venues – Hambantota, Kandy and Colombo.

“Yes and my idea also is to spread to the others part of the country rather than just taking to Colombo and Hambantota”, Dodanwella, handling his first tournament as the tournament director, said.

This year’s edition, initially, was supposed to be played in August this year. However, country’s crisis forced it to be slotted into the year-end window, and will entertain with thrills and spills till 23 December.

Though past players from India have withdrawn, that has, however, opened the doors for seasoned T20 players.

James Neesham and T20 World Cupwinning West Indian Carlos Brathwaite, are two of them, to feature in their debut LPL.

Jaffna Kings, the defending champions, will be sans their seam merchant, Suranga Lakmal, bought by Colombo Stars, taking on Kandy Falcons, the second team to be renamed for the third installment.

In another blow for the Kings, Wanindu Hasaranga, world’s No. 1 ranked T20 bowler, has also been bought by the Falcons, who will be playing against Stars in the second opening double-header, starting at 7.30 p.m. local time.

Hasaranga has also earned a promotion as he has been named captain.

Gladiators come into the contest armed with nation’s last coach, Mickey Arthur.

Budding batter and U19 cap Shevon Daniel, picked up by Rajastan Royals of the neighboring nations Indian Premier League, has been drafted by Aura Dambulla, the second and last team to undergo a team rebranding. The other is Gladiators.

Apart from local superstar Sanath Jayasuriya, Sir Vivian Richards and Wasim Akram would join the tournament midway of it, Dodanwela disclosed.

The latter will be undergoing a surgery, prompting both the overseas ambassadors to mark their presense, together.

The five-team tournament will also mark the return for Kusal Janith Perera, Avishka Fernando et al returning to competitive cricket after lengthy inactivity.

Dodanwella already has drawn up plans for his second tournament, intending to expand the number of venues and teams.

The tournament will be telecasted on Ada Derana and Sony Six Network.