All IPL players should return by May 5:

Put country before self, says Minister

Chris Dhambarage

Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage yesterday issued a directive for all players currently participating in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament to return back to the country before May 5. The Minister stressed the importance of putting country before self and hoped that the players will follow the same and return back to train with the national squad in preparation for the upcoming tour of England.

The Minister of Sports said that it is mandatory that all national players be in Colombo during the May 5 deadline as only those players will be eligible to represent the country.

The cream of the Sri Lankan cricket team is currently competing in the fourth edition of the high profile Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.

In fact former captain Kumar Sangakkara is leading the Deccan Chargers team while Mahela Jayawardena is the captain of the newly formed franchise Kochin Tuskers Kerala side.

Retired off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and all rounder Thisara Perera are the other players turning out for the Kochin Tuskers. In addition Tillekeratne Dilshan and Nuwan Pradeep are representing the Bangalore Royal Challengers team.

Meanwhile speed star Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando are members of the Mumbai Indians team while Nuwan Kulasekera is set to represent the defending champions Chennai Super Kings team.

The IPL tournament which began on April 8 is set to conclude on May 28 with Sri Lanka’s tour of England scheduled to start on May 14.