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by Richard Dwight

It was a historic moment for the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) and the SriLankan Airlines (SLA) - when on Wednesday evening at the Ceylon Continental Hotel, SriLankan Airlines was recognised as the official carrier of our cricket team.

Tangible expression of this was given, when the document confirming SriLankan Airlines, as the official airline of Sri Lanka National Cricket team, was signed by the Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Daya Pelpola and Head of the Corporate Communications of the airline Chandana De Silva on behalf of SLA and those signing on behalf of the BCCSL, were the secretary interim committee BCCSL, Jaliya Jayasuriya and interim committee member, Nimal Welgama.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of SAL, Daya Pelpola said that it was a pleasure to be associated with excellence and, this he felt has been achieved by our cricket team. The signing of this contract he stressed, will go to further enhance the facilities and privileges of our cricketers, when they travel to and from abroad to play cricket.

Pelpola explained that there will be other forms of assistance,that will come the way of the BCCSL through the national carrier and stands committed, if the country so requires, in the promotion of tourism and concluded by saying, that this wasn't the first time that SAL was espousing the cause of sport. It was observed from the Head of the Corporate Communications, SAL, Chandana De Silva that the national carrier will exclusively fly the national cricket teams to their required destination, on all official travel for cricket.

If the airline does not operate to the final destination, it will fly them to a transit point with best onward connections.

SLA will provide value added services like special fares, excess luggage, lounge facilities, priority clearance on flights, and late check in facilities to make the cricketer's journey as smooth as possible. Significant it is, that the airline's offer includes free travel for training facilities - where free travel for specialist coaches to train our teams in Colombo and fast bowlers to fly to the MRF academy in Chennai for training, will be made available.

The SAL will spread the cricket Anthem to the world onboard its flights and fly the artistes performing the cricket anthem, to their destination. In addition the SAL will be the sponsor of the 'Man of the Match' and 'Man of the Series' awards for the one-day matches played in Sri Lanka.

Being the 'official airline' for national cricket it will automatically open many avenues to promote Sri Lankan Airlines at international venues around the cricketing world. This tie-up between two prominent brands, Sri Lankan Airlines and the national cricket team initially for two years, has been welcomed by many as projecting a positive image between two strong Sri Lankan entities.

These views were endorsed by the secretary of the interim committee BCCSL, Jaliya Jayasuriya and the Chairman marketing and sponsorship committee BCCSL, Rienzie Martinez, when they addressed those present. Also present on the occasion was the chairman of ANCL and member of the interim committee BCCSL Nalin Ladduwahetty, Manager SAL, Ranil Wagiswara and Media Relations Manager SAL Ruvini Jayasinghe.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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