The Much-Awaited Lanka Premier League (LPL) has unofficially been called off for this year after Court Of Appeal ordered for the fresh election of Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC), Cricket Age reliably learns.
Hearing a case on Thursday, filed by former secretary Nishantha Ranatunga against Thilanga Sumathipala eligibility to contest election, the Court Of Appeal instructed Sports Ministry to conduct fresh election and ordered to present a road map according to Sports Law.
The particular order also decided the fate of LPL, as SLC were planning to organize the tournament between 18 August to 10 September.
“As Per the instructions of Honorable Court, It will take at least five months for Sports Ministry to conduct fresh election at SLC. In this scenario, Organizing LPL this year is not possible” a top official of Sports Ministry told Cricket Age.
After the departure of Sumathipala Led administration in May 31st, SLC is under the observation of Sports Minister Appointee Competent Authority.
In addition, a top SLC Official also confirmed the latest development and accepted that LPL is not going to happen this year.
“We were hoping a favourable instruction from the Court regarding the election. However, Now as Court has ordered for the fresh election, that too on the guidelines of Sports Ministry with calling for fresh nominations, it’s not possible to organize LPL this year” He told.
It is noteworthy that in March this year, then SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala has Launched LPL With a Bang! It was tipped as the most ambitious project of SLC till date, and Sumathipala had planned to organize the tournament on grand scale.
