The much anticipated SLC Premier League Tournament 2016/17 which was scheduled to start yesterday (18th February) has been postponed until further notice after Colombo District Court on Friday (17th February) issued an enjoining order preventing Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) from conducting tournament.

A case was filed by Negombo Cricket Club for suspending them from participating in the current domestic season by SLC.

A lavish launch of the SLC Premier Limited Overs and T20 Tournaments was held on 14th February at R. Premadasa Stadium with the partaking of captains and team members from all 23 clubs except Negombo CC.

Photo Album: Launch of the SLC Major Tournament

“In 2015 Sebastianites SC won the P. Saravanamuttu Trophy Tournament while Negombo CC ended up as the runners-up. However Negombo CC protested that the Sebastianites had included a number of unregistered players and thus the Sebastianites were suspended and Negombo CC were promoted to play in the Premier League Tier ‘B’ division tournament in the 2016/17 season. Making matters rather complicated, the Sebastianites obtained an injunction against that decision and the matter is still pending. Then when Negombo was about to take part in the Tier ‘B’ tournament Sebastianites protested. As a result both teams were kept away from any further participation of the tournament. However as a solution to this knotty affair we even suggested to the court that we could arrange a re-match and the winner to be promoted, but, Negombo CC were not ready for that on principle.So the SLC tournament committee had no option but, to suspend Negombo CC until the original matter is settled in courts”. A top SLC tournament committee was quoted by the Sunday Times.

During the launch it was also announced that the top players in the limited-overs tournament and the T20 tournament will be awarded a Renault Kwid car and a Nissan 16 Seater Urvan would be awarded to the most consistent team in all three formats.

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