Namal Rajapaksa
  • Home
  • Meet Namal
    • Namal’s Perspective
    • My Blog
    • Ape Namal | අපේ නාමල්
  • Get Involved
    • Rebooting Sport in Sri Lanka
    • Become a volunteer
  • Contact Me
  • Media
    • Photo Gallery
    • Instagram Gallery
    • Video Gallery
  • My Events
  • News

LPL united the nation and put Sri Lanka into the global map of sports. I thank all who made it a success

  • Home
  • /
  • LinkedIn
  • / LPL united the nation and put Sri Lanka into the global map of sports. I thank all who made it a success

LPL united the nation and put Sri Lanka into the global map of sports. I thank all who made it a success

Sri Lanka is always a nation we can be proud of. The unity, the strength, the commitment our citizens uphold especially during troubled times, is a fine example to the world. Amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka also has been plunged into a health crisis, especially since we are recovering from a second wave. […]
December 18, 2020 0 Comments by Namal Rajapaksa in LinkedIn My Blog

Sri Lanka is always a nation we can be proud of. The unity, the strength, the commitment our citizens uphold especially during troubled times, is a fine example to the world.

Amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka also has been plunged into a health crisis, especially since we are recovering from a second wave. But even in the midst of this we did the unexpected – and that was to successfully hold one of the greatest sporting tournaments this country has ever hosted – the inaugural season of the Lanka Premier League.

The LPL was a turning story for many during these trying times. It exposed some great young talent to the international audience who will now go on to further their career in cricket. It also placed Sri Lanka on the global map of sports as a nation who could be an ideal ground for international tournaments even during difficult times, in the new COVID-19 world. The tournament also welcomed many leading international cricket legends to lead the teams and provided great entertainment, which in some way we were yearning for in this new normal world. It also strengthened our sports economy, encouraged all those who were involved in organizing this tournament including Sri lanka Cricket and most of all it united all of us. When some thought this was an impossible task even while Sri Lanka was facing a second wave of the coronavirus, we made the impossible possible.

Whilst finding and grooming the right talent from around the country and giving them the international exposure was the main objective, LPL surely has helped and will impact positively in developing a sustainable sports economy in Sri lanka. With the massive reach of more than 800Mn viewership globally via online, streaming and broadcast, LPL has got a massive social media exposure around the globe. Analysis say More than 22mn were streaming online during a match, quoting brand watch. During every match, more than 23,000 hashtag exposure for LPL has been calculated within an hour. These numbers are a proof that LPL is not merely a cricket tournament focussed only on Sri lankans but a global sports fest which attracted the attention around the globe.

Today, I take this opportunity to congratulate the Jaffna Stallions for a remarkable victory. Their story is one that will go into the records of Sri Lanka Cricket. I could not be more happier than to see this team win for their outstanding performance throughout the tournament and it was a proud moment for me as well when I handed them the trophy.

Along with the Jaffna Stallions, I also congratulate all the other teams who participated. Their performance was beyond excellence and they played a gentleman’s game which kept the audience hooked on to their television sets. I also especially thank the foreign players who arrived here to participate in the LPL. Their support and patience in undergoing the mandatory quarantine period, undergoing all the health protocols and leading their teams for the matches is outstanding and appreciated. I welcome them to take part in all future international cricket tournaments including the next season of the LPL in 2021.

A special appreciation and mention to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Without their support this tournament would never have been possible. A special appreciation to the government who showed equal dedication towards the success of this tournament and gave me and Sri Lanka Cricket all the encouragement. A special mention to Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Army Commander Lt. General Shavendra Silva and the COVID-19 prevention task force, and all the officials from the Health Ministry, I am grateful to them all. They guided us throughout this tournament with the necessary health protocols and guidelines to ensure the safety of all those involved in this tournament including the players.

I also take this opportunity to thank the sponsors of the LPL tournament and the owners of each teams and the IPG Group. When we were at a discussion stage as to whether the LPL tournament could be held this year, it was a concern if we could find the necessary funds. But with the sponsors showing great interest and commitment and with team owners stepping forward, it set the foundation for us to begin work. Since their commitment, there was no stepping back.

I also thank the match referees who showed equal commitment as the players, the commentators for their spectacular work because without them, we would have to admit that the audience can never be glued to their screens, the ground staff at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Cricket Stadium, the commando units which provided the security and the health staff who were on ground. It was indeed team work by all.

The hotels and hotel staff which stepped in to provide accomodation to the players, where they could undergo their quarantine as well, I thank all of you. To ensure that the comfort of the players was maintained at all times, is truly appreciated. The beauty of the hotels was also appreciated by the international players who enjoyed a comfortable stay while being in the country.

A big thank you to Sri Lanka Cricket for their dedication, hard work, commitment and unity from day one to ensure the success of the inaugural session of the LPL. The SLC has been through many ups and downs in the past but their hard work to make this tournament a success is truly remarkable and spectacular. I thank each and every individual in the SLC who made the LPL a reality especially in these difficult times, and ensuring that transparency was maintained and working and coordinating with the Ministry of Sports and all other officials on the ground level. It definitely goes on to the say that without the strong commitment of the SLC, no cricketing tournament will ever be a success in this country.

Lastly and not the least, a big thank you to the media and the fans without whom the LPL would never end in such a high note. As much as I, as the Minister of Sports and all other officials made this a success, this tournament would have never reached its height if the due publicity was not given and the fans had not supported us. I have followed all the comments and the excitement on social media over the LPL and the great unbiased coverage the tournament received by the media. It was a great encouragement to see the number of fans seeing the tournament live from several parts of the country and world. Thank you for trusting us.

The inaugural session of the LPL was an impossible task in this COVID-19 world, which all of us made possible. It united every district of the country, forgetting any barriers which existed in between. It proved that Sri Lanka is one nation, one land. We are back as a strong country ready to face any challenges. And I say, unity is the real victory of LPL!

Together we can.

Stay safe.

Share this:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email to a Friend
Previous Post
Hon. Namal Rajapaksa shared his thoughts on the LPL and the future of Sports and Sri Lanka Cricket
Next Post
Youth unemployment crisis in the country needs immediate and focused solutions, starting from Divisional Secretaries

Related News

Cultivating youth entrepreneurship through a Startup Eco System is the key to unlocking massive economic potential of Sri Lanka
Cultivating youth entrepreneurship through a Startup Eco System is the key to unlocking massive economic potential of Sri Lanka
January 18, 2021 by Namal Rajapaksa
එස්.ඩබ්.ආර්.ඩී. බණ්ඩාරනායක ශ්‍රීමතාණන්ගේ 122 වන ජන්ම දින සැමරුම
එස්.ඩබ්.ආර්.ඩී. බණ්ඩාරනායක ශ්‍රීමතාණන්ගේ 122 වන ජන්ම දින සැමරුම
January 8, 2021 by Namal Rajapaksa
Youth unemployment crisis in the country needs immediate and focused solutions, starting from Divisional Secretaries
Youth unemployment crisis in the country needs immediate and focused solutions, starting from Divisional Secretaries
December 27, 2020 by Namal Rajapaksa

Leave a Reply - Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked (required)

Latest Tweets

Namal RajapaksaFollow

Namal Rajapaksa
RajapaksaNamalNamal Rajapaksa@RajapaksaNamal·
6h

Cultivating youth entrepreneurship through a Startup Eco System is the key to unlocking massive economic potential of Sri Lanka

https://bit.ly/3qu3BqD

Reply on Twitter 1351006312398811136Retweet on Twitter 13510063123988111368Like on Twitter 135100631239881113688Twitter 1351006312398811136
RajapaksaNamalNamal Rajapaksa@RajapaksaNamal·
16 Jan

HE @narendramodi vision for #StartUpIndia has not only revolutionized the Indian #startup eco system in #india but @BimstecInDhaka & the globe! Thank you Hon @PiyushGoyal for inviting me. Proud moment for #LKA that @PickMeLK was also recognized today! 🙏🏽 #ජයගමු 🇱🇰 @IndiainSL

2
Reply on Twitter 1350480817613545475Retweet on Twitter 135048081761354547515Like on Twitter 1350480817613545475211Twitter 1350480817613545475
RajapaksaNamalNamal Rajapaksa@RajapaksaNamal·
16 Jan

The Kalutara district Social Infrastructure Development Committee was conducted today. Main points of concern were education & vocational training. Issues were identified & measures were taken to remedy them. Grateful to all the Hon. ministers & officials who participated.

4
Reply on Twitter 1350412834337800195Retweet on Twitter 13504128343378001952Like on Twitter 135041283433780019583Twitter 1350412834337800195
Load More...
Archives
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • November 2019
  • April 2019
  • February 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • January 2015
Latest Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V1QByu3fqE
View All Videos
CONNECT WITH NAMAL
Take Action

Carlton House, Tangalle, Sri Lanka  |  Phone: (+94) 472240332  |  E-mail: namal@nr.lk

Copyright © 2020, Namal Rajapaksa.
All Rights Reserved.