Sri Lanka Cricket rejects BCCI claim of Lanka Premier League being a private tournament

 Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has rejected the Board of Control for Cricket in India's claim that the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) is a private-party organised tournament.

In a statement, the SLC said that the SLPL is owned and approved by it, and therefore, automatically by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

It further said that the Singapore-based Somerset Ventures only owns the commercial rights to the tournament.

The SLC rejoinder came a day after the BCCI had said it would not allow any Indian player to participate in the tournament on grounds that it was a privately-run event.

"This tournament is approved by SLC. And Somerset are the marketing arm, having won the rights through a tender process. Nobody can say it is owned by Somerset," ESPNcricinfo quoted SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga, as saying on Sunday.

No Indians for Lanka’s T20 league

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) won't allow Indians to play in next month’s Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) T20 championship. And the board insists it has nothing to do with protecting its cash-rich IPL’s brand value. The decision, it claims, has been taken to protect players! < 

Cricketers from Pakistan, West Indies, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand are expected to play in the inaugural Twenty20 Lankan league.

“Unlike in the IPL where the players are contracted by the BCCI, the SLPL is offering contracts with the event management company,” said a BCCI official, who didn’t wish to be named given the sensitivity of the issue. “If there is any goof-up, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) cannot be held accountable. The board would not like to take any chances.” 

The official said the move had nothing to do with Lanka creating problems about the availability of players during IPL 4.

The decision, taken on Saturday, was conveyed to SLC, which convened an emergency meeting. Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga was unavailable for comments.

“Anyway 32 of our main players will be on international duty,” another BCCI official told HT. Sixteen will be touring England, others will be busy with the emerging players tournament in Australia. SLPL begins on July 19 and doesn’t clash with any domestic tournament in India.