By Srian Obeyesekere
My Cola Beverages Private Limited tying up with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as its ‘Official Bottled Drinking Water Partner’ under a 3-year agreement announcing the use of two My Cola brands namely Cristal and Life, was yesterday hailed by both Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary, Mohan de Silva and My Cola’s Executive Director and CEO, Sharm Fernando as a historic landmark far reaching occasion for the future of cricket in the country.
COME FORWARD WHEN OTHER COMPANIES AUSTERISED
At the signing of the agreement at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, SLC’s dynamic Secretary, De Silva for his vast acumen in guiding the destinies of the administrative functions of cricket’s nerve center to the optimum, drove home the message that ‘this is indeed a historic occasion where we are partnering for the second time in a matter of a few months to further consolidating our partnership for the greater good of cricket in Sri Lanka. “Sri Lanka Cricket is indeed thankful to My Cola for having confidence in us and for placing confidence in us and coming forward with such a sponsorship in difficult times when other companies were practicing austerity. We do look forward to the continuation of this partnership for years to come.
MY COLA TOPMOST SL BEVERAGE COMPANY
Similarly, My Cola Beverages Private Limited’s young imaginative top executive, Sharm Fernando, known for his high end decision making capacity in putting My Cola as the topmost beverages company in Sri Lanka which had found fruition in striking such a fostering partnering with the country’s citadel of cricket, was quick to strike a chord in echoing the pulse of the people at large when he said, “We grew up with cricket and look forward to the big matches to take off in our shores. We are honoured to partner with Sri Lanka Cricket at a time when outdoor sports is closed and the world over high end companies are facing financial issues. But we thought we will change our products and standards and take this opportunity to be the No.1 brand. In the interest of the game of cricket My Cola will thrive on this partnership. We know that the funds will be used for the development of the game we love so much. The reason we aligned with Sri Lanka Cricket for three years was because of its great success. The crowning moment was in 1996 when the biggest prize was brought to Sri Lanka. ”
Sharm Fernando also sounded that My Cola had ambitious plans to maximise the export market to optimize its beverages which were of a very high rare quality while topping the Sri Lanka market. What had influenced My Cola in going for a second partnership with Sri Lanka Cricket in double quick time was because the first partnership as SLC’s carbonated beverages partner had borne fruit.
MUTUAL HARMONISATION FOR BETTERMENT OF CRICKET
The ultimate signing o the agreement between Mohan de Silva and Sharm Fernando marked a mutual harmonization between SLC and My Cola in the larger interest of cricket in Sri Lanka as they were captured by television and other media cameramen. The event was lined up with Sri Lanka Cricket’s Chief Executive Officer, Ashley de Silva at the head table alongside the SLC Secretary, My Cola Beverages Private Limited’s Executive Director/CEO, Sharm Fernando, My Cola Managing Director, Mahinda Perera, My Cola Brand Ambassador, Dananjaya Siriwardana and Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Dimuth Karunaratne at the Shangri La Hotel.
SRI LANKA ONE OF THE FIRST TO RESUME CRICKET
Meanwhile, SLC Secretary, Mohan de Silva, fielding questions on the cricket front as to the resumption of cricket following the COVID 19 related freeze, observed that Sri Lanka was one of the first countries to have resumed cricket at the earliest opportunity. “As a country we have done extremely well to keep this pandemic under control. But we need to keep the health guidelines in place. We expect Bangladesh to arrive without delay. But the quarantine rules have to be followed.”
BANGLADESH HAS TO FOLLOW SL HEALTH GUIDELINES – SLC CEO, ASHLEY DE SILVA
Meanwhile, SLC CEO, Ashley de Silva, responding to questions as to whether the Bangladesh tour here would come through said, “Bangladesh have intimated they want to come and train here. They have inquired how they can move forward. But we can’t take any chances. Bangladesh have to fall in line with the COVID Task Force here. If not we will have to call off the tour and reschedule it.”
On the staging of the Lanka Premier League in November, the SLC CEO said, “All the relevant authorities have been supportive of the staging of the LPL. We have discussed with the Foreign Ministry too regarding the arrival of players. We have also notified the event holder of the health guidelines here as to the 14-day quarantine period for arriving players which have to be adhered to.”
HOPEFUL B’DESH TOUR WILL COME THROUGH – SKIPPER DIMUTH
Sri Lanka Test and ODI cricket captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, responding to questions as to his views on the resumption of cricket in Sri Lanka, said, “As players, we can only keep practicing and hope for the best. We have been practicing since April. I’m hopeful the Bangladesh tour in October will come through.”
