Play, says Pavithra

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi

LPL Tournament Director Ravin Wickramaratne

• Health Minister gives green light for LPL to go ahead
• Tournament put back by one week to meet health guidelines

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

The meeting between Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Health Ministry officials with Sri Lanka Cricket officials yesterday turned out to be quite successful, as the Lanka Premier League (LPL) eventually received the green light to go ahead.

There were some doubts cast over the tournament taking place as the Health Ministry dragged its feet by not giving the necessary ‘go ahead’ for the tournament to commence.

However, with Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa stepping in and arranging for a meeting with the Minister of Health and Sri Lanka Cricket officials, the tournament finally received the green light.

“Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena and Secretary to the Health Minister Dr. S.H. Munasinghe were all very positive. They had a few concerns but finally they agreed that the LPL should go on in Sri Lanka,” said an elated LPL Tournament Director Ravin Wickramaratne.

It was the first meeting SLC officials had with the Minister of Health. Their previous meetings have all been with officials of the Ministry of Health.  

“Now they have said it is ‘okay you can go ahead and play’ – that is the green light from the Health Ministry we were waiting for. On Thursday they will be issuing the health guidelines after which we will also make a press release,” said Wickramaratne.

The health guidelines once it is received will be shared amongst the five franchisees and the promoters of the LPL, Innovative Production Group (IPG).

Wickramaratne said the LPL dates would have to be changed due to the delay in getting the ‘go ahead’ for the tournament.

“We might have to reschedule the dates because according to the Health Ministry you have to take two PCR tests in 72 hours before coming. For instance if they (players, officials and television crew) arrive on 8 November they must undergo the 14-day quarantine so it will be 22 November,” said Wickramaratne.

“Then the production crew needs at least three to four days for networking and cabling and all that. Basically we are thinking of rescheduling it to commence either on 28 or 29 November,” he said.

The LPL was due to commence on 21 November and conclude on 14 December and this will be the fourth time the tournament will be postponed.

Initially it was due to begin on 28 August and was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic to 14 November and then to 21 November.

Wickramaratne also stated that they had requested a reduced number of quarantine days for the players coming from playing in the IPL in India and the PSL in Pakistan.

“The 14-day quarantine is there but for players there might be a reduction. However until tomorrow I can’t exactly say. We requested to make it seven days for the players because they are coming from bubble to bubble. They said that it can be considered,” Wickramaratne said.

The one-hour meeting held at the Health Minister’s office was attended by the Health Minister and other high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Health along with officials of SLC, Vice President and LPL Tournament Director Ravin Wickramarane, CEO Ashley de Silva, Prof Arjuna de Silva and Chinthaka Edirimanne.