Dialog powers Lanka Premier League as ‘Telecommunication Partner’

Dialog Axiata Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe hands over the sponsorship to IPG Group Founder and CEO Anil Mohan in the presence of Youth and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. Also from left: Department of Sports Development Director General Amal Edirisooriya, Secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Anuradha Wijekoon and SLC President Shammi Silva

Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata PLC, has come forth to power the 2021 edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) as the official Telecommunication Partner for the tournament. The tourney organisers, The IPG Group released the ‘Ekwa Jayagamu’ LPL song sung by a stellar line-up of artistes at the launch event, in support of the teams. 

LPL is a world-class cricket tournament set to feature the best in talent from across the world and also acts as a proving ground for Sri Lanka’s budding cricketers, providing them with the chance to display their skill and showcase the wide array of local talent, setting them on the path to featuring for the national team. 

‘Ekwa Jayagamu’, the theme song for the tournament, features a number of Sri Lanka’s most famous pop-stars, which includes Bathiya and Santhush, to Yohani, Sanka, Sajitha, Umaria and ADK.

The tourney will commence on 5 December, while the grand finale will be played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyaweva, Hambanthota on 23 December from 7:30 p.m. The five franchise teams, Colombo Stars, Dambulla Giants, Galle Gladiators, Jaffna Kings and Kandy Warriors will battle it out on 24 league and knockout matches in the 2021 tourney. In the inaugural LPL in 2020, Jaffna Stallions, skippered by the experienced Thisara Perera, defeated the Galle Gladiators to clinch the coveted title.

Commenting on the launch of the LPL, Youth and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa stated: “Developing our young cricketers is a top priority for Sri Lanka, and we look forward to the upcoming Lanka Premier League as an avenue to accelerate their development. I am thankful to Dialog Axiata for hosting the launch event, and also look forward to a tournament that is sure to be filled with memorable matches.”

Speaking at the launch event, Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mohan De Silva said: “High-calibre tournaments such as the LPL act as an incubator for SLC to identify and nurture players who will one day represent the national team and bring glory to the country at the international level. Budding players get much-needed exposure playing with and against foreign players which will shorten their learning curve. I wish the LPL the very best for a successful tourney.”

IPG Group Founder and CEO Anil Mohan commented: “The South Asian region has a diehard cricket base especially for the shorter version of the game with over a billion fans. I would like to congratulate Hon. Namal Rajapaksa MP, the Minister of Youth and Sports, and SLC for taking progressive steps to host a tourney of this magnitude.” 

“Dialog is pleased to have stepped forward as the Official Telecommunication Partner of the LPL, which is a vibrant and prestigious tournament in the South Asian region,” Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe said. 

He further commented: “As the national team sponsor for almost 10 years, Dialog has been an avid supporter of the development of cricket in Sri Lanka, and a tourney such as the LPL will be an excellent platform to scout, identify and select our future champions for the national team.” 

IPG Group Founder and CEO Anil Mohan along with the artist line-up presenting the CD of the ‘Ekwa Jayagamu’ LPL song to Youth and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. Also from left: Department of Sports Development Director General Amal Edirisooriya, Secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Anuradha Wijekoon, Sanka Dineth, Santhush Weeraman, Bathiya Jayakody, Dialog Axiata Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe, Yohani De Silva, Umaria Sinhawansa, and SLC President Shammi Silva