SL eye hosting opportunity of IPL matches

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

Sports Minister Harin Fernando said that he has formally requested the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Jay Shah to consider hosting a few Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in Sri Lanka.

The IPL 2024 schedule has garnered attention due to its clash with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections later this year in India.

“I recently had a sudden meeting with BCCI Secretary Jay Shaha, during which we discussed potential diplomatic concerns. I proposed the idea of hosting three matches of the upcoming IPL tournament in Sri Lanka. The response I received was quite reasonable. It would be a significant win for us to secure the opportunity to host these matches in Sri Lanka,” the Minister said.

He said given that the elections are scheduled to take place in South India during the same period, Sri Lanka sees this as an opportunity to turn Mattala into an IPL Zone and 
attract tourists.