The Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) announced the official creation of the Sri Lanka Tennis Premier League (SLTPL), marking a significant new chapter in the growth and future of tennis in Sri Lanka.
The inaugural edition of the SLTPL is scheduled to be held from 22nd to 25th April 2026, bringing together Sri Lankan Tennis players from across the island in a professionally governed, franchise-based competition. The league will feature eight city-based franchises, representing major regions across the country: Colombo, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Kurunegala, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, and Negombo.
Each team will comprise a blend of players elevating competitive standards while creating exposure and learning opportunities, as well as some truly exciting tennis.
“The Sri Lanka Tennis Premier League represents a transformative step for the sport. It introduces a sustainable, future-focused model that strengthens tennis at every level while ensuring that all commercial success is reinvested back into the game. The SLTPL aligns closely with SLTA’s long-term vision to expand access, raise standards, and build lasting infrastructure for tennis in Sri Lanka,” said Mr. Iqbal Bin Issak, President of Sri Lanka Tennis Association.
The SLTPL has been created with a clear and singular vision: to establish a sustainable platform dedicated to the long-term development of tennis in Sri Lanka. Operated as a 100% not-for-profit initiative, all profit generated by the league will be reinvested directly into the sport – supporting infrastructure development, player pathways, regional access, and broader participation nationwide.
“The SLTPL has been strategically designed as a long-term development platform that will elevate competitive standards within Sri Lanka while progressively opening pathways for international participation. By creating structured competition, exposure, and sustainable investment in the sport, the league will accelerate the growth of Sri Lankan tennis and position our players, administrators, and infrastructure within a broader global tennis ecosystem. This initiative represents an important first step in building a strong, sustainable future for tennis in Sri Lanka.”,” said Mr. Rukmal Cooray, Vice President and Chairman of Tournaments and Matches, Sri Lanka Tennis Association.
Designed as a professionally governed and commercially operated league, the SLTPL will function as a long-term funding and development vehicle for Sri Lankan tennis. The league’s commercial framework is intentionally structured to generate sustainable revenue through franchise fees, multi-year sponsorship partnerships, media rights, and hospitality offerings, rather than relying on intermittent or event-specific sponsorships. This approach ensures continuity, financial discipline, and long-term reinvestment into the sport.
“Our objective from the outset was to conceptualise, finance, and operationalise a professional, franchise-based tennis league in Sri Lanka, we believe this could only be done in partnership with the SLTA who provide the strong governance and regulatory oversight to essential the success of the league,” said Roshan Silva, representing the League.
“The SLTPL was developed in recognition of a fundamental reality: Sri Lanka’s challenge is not a lack of talent, coaching capability, or governance intent – but the absence of sustainable funding mechanisms and capital-intensive infrastructure development. Our goal is to address this core challenge,” he added.
The SLTPL is being established under a structured governance and commercial model, with the endorsement of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA). Operated through a dedicated corporate vehicle and guided by experienced professionals in sports, law, and commercial management, the league has been designed to meet international standards of integrity, transparency, and execution. This is a long-term initiative built on credibility, sustainability, and a shared commitment to elevating Tennis in Sri Lanka.
With its inaugural tournament set for April 2026, the SLTPL is expected to play a pivotal role in increasing national and international interest in Sri Lankan tennis, unlocking new investment, and creating a scalable model for long-term growth and development.
Further announcements regarding franchises, players, partners, and broadcast details will be made in the coming weeks.
Caption (L-R) : Thushan Jayaratne (Representing SLTPL), Roshan Silva (Representing SLTPL), Iqbal Bin Issack (President – SLTA), Pradeep Goonasekera (General Secretary – SLTA) and Rukmal Cooray (Vice President / Chairman of Tournaments and Matches – SLTA)
