LPL will position Sri Lanka in global sports map- Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa

The Lanka Premier League (LPL) will position Sri Lanka on the global sports map, Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa wrote in his personal blog.
“It has already attracted the attention of local and international sports spectators and the media,” he wrote adding that he is ‘confident that this tournament will build the country's sports economy and set the stage for exposing the talents of Sri Lanka's young athletes to the international arena’.

The Minister said that the government will extend all possible support to make LPL an annual sports property of Sri Lanka much on the lines of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in India.

“Following the success of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the possibility of holding such a tournament in Sri Lanka was much talked about for many years but unfortunately, it didn’t happen. But now, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports have been in discussions for weeks to make this tournament a reality as it is essential for the future of Sri Lankan cricket,” he wrote.

The tournament will bring more international attention and recognition to our young athletes and such a highly competitive tournament will not only enhance entertainment but also make a significant contribution to the sports economy as well as the economy of the country. 

This tournament will be a strong foundation to strengthen the sports tourism industry which has been severely affected by the global epidemic of Corona. 
“As the Minister of Sports, I look forward to giving my full support to SLC through my Ministry to make Lanka Premier League T20 tournament the premier annual tournament in the country,” Rajapaksa wrote.