The Indian Premier League General Council on Tuesday "decided that Sri Lankan players will not play in IPL matches to be held in Chennai," according to THE HINDU. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had written to Indian PM Manmohan Singh saying that "the participation of Sri Lankan players in the IPL tournament, with many games to be played in Chennai, will aggravate an already surcharged atmosphere and further offend the sentiments of the people." Chennai is scheduled to host 10 matches, "including a qualifier and an eliminator after the league phase." The Jayalalithaa's letter prompted the IPL Governing Council to convene an emergency meeting "where it was decided that Sri Lankan players and officials will not take part in the matches to be played in Chennai." IPL Chair Rajeev Shukla said, "Today, the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has written to the Prime Minister of India stating that she will not permit the participation of Sri Lankan players or umpires in matches in Chennai during Pepsi IPL 2013. The security of all involved in the IPL, whether players, spectators or those working in the stadiums, is of paramount importance to the BCCI." It "was a rather quick response to a strongly worded letter from the Chief Minister." The letter said, "The Government of Tamil Nadu will permit IPL matches to be held in Tamil Nadu only if the organisers provide and undertaking that no Sri Lankan players, umpires, officials or support staff would participate in these matches" (THE HINDU, 3/27).
PLAYING HOST: IANS reported the Kerala Cricket Association "has offered to host" IPL matches at Kochi. KCA secretary T.C. Mathew said that "they would be glad to stage at Kochi all the matches that are scheduled in Chennai." Mathew: "We have already hosted IPL matches (fourth edition) in 2011, and we have no issues in organizing it this time. I am meeting Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to discuss this issue because we require the full support of the State Government and the Kochi Corporation" (IANS, 3/26).
