By BV Swagath
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha has ordered that no Sri Lankan players, officials or support staff will be allowed to take part in any of the IPL matches hosted by Chennai. The IPL governing council has already obeyed the orders from the Chief Minister and has conveyed the message to the various franchises. The CM orders come following a growing anger in the people of Tamil Nadu against Sri Lanka on their war crimes on the Tamils.
It may not be a big issue that will affect the IPL tournament as such with only 10 matches to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai. Only 13 Sri Lankan players are taking part in this IPL 6. The worst effected teams will be the Delhi Daredevils who are led by Mahela Jayawardene and the Sunrisers Hyderabad Team which is led by Kumar Sangakkara.
It is learnt that all the IPL franchises have budged to the orders and no one has protested because of security fears. The Central Government takes no responsibility of ensuring the safety of the IPL but it is a subject of the respective State Governments and thus the IPL governing body had no choice but to obey the orders of J Jayalalitha.
Following are the Sri Lankan players in IPL 6:
Chennai Super Kings: Akila Dananjaya and Nuwan Kulasekara
Delhi Daredevils: Mahela Jayawardene (Captain) and Jeevan Mendis
Knight Riders: Sachithra Senanayake
Mumbai Indians: Lasith Malinga
Pune Warriors India: Ajantha Mendis and Angelo Mathews
Rajasthan Royals: Kusal Perera
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Muthaiah Muralitharan and Tillakaratne Dilshan
