Pandemic forces SLSCA to call off Division III tournament
The remaining quarter-final matches of the Schools Under-19 Division III Cricket Tournament had been called off due to the spread of COVID-19, according to an official of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA). The SLSCA had already completed its Under-19 Division I and II competitions, and were left with the Division III tournament, which was set to come to an end by the second week of May.
However, on May 1, the SLSCA decided to call off the remainder of their planned competition, and only proceeded with the Division II final on May 2.
“The schedule was on to complete the Division III tournament by mid-May. But the present situation prevailing in the country does not provide a safe environment for that as we have school children involved in this. Thus, we decided to call off the tournament indefinitely,” the SLSCA official stated.
According to the Division III quarterfinal draw, Methodist School, Moratuwa was to take on C.W.W. Kannangara Vidyalaya, Matugama while Vidyaloka College, Galle was set to meet Ibbagamuwa Central College in the first two qualifiers. St. Joseph’s College, Wattala and Jaffna Central College were scheduled to meet in a quarter-final with Rajasinghe Central College, Hanwella and St. Mary’s College, Matugama were to be featured in the final qualifier.
St. Joseph’s College, Colombo beat Royal College to annex the Division I Tier ‘A’ championship, while Mahinda College, Galle defeated giant killers Devapathiraja MV, Ratgama in the Division I Tier ‘B’ final. The Division II title was won by Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, while its Tier ‘B’ title went to Sri Jayewardenepura MV, Kotte.
The new dates for the remainders of the postponed quarter-finals will be planned according to the development and improvement of the pandemic situation and the SLSCA stated that it does not wish to take any risk until full clearance is given by the higher authorities to move forward with the competitions.