The Lanka Premier League cricket tournament begins today. The inaugural ceremony will be held in Hambantota at 3.30 pm and the tournament will run until December 16. Five teams - Colombo Kings, Galle Gladiators, Jaffna Stallions, Dambulla Vikings and Kandy Tuskers will compete here.

The first match will be played at 7.30 pm at the Sooriyawewa International Cricket Stadium at Hambantota between the Colombo Kings led by Angelo Mathews and the Kandy Tuskers led by Kusal Janith.

Colombo Kings captain Angelo Mathews said at a press conference yesterday that he was ready to bowl in the tournament. He also said that he had been focusing more on his fitness during the last 8 months despite being hampered in playing cricket.

Meanwhile, two of Sri Lanka's top cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have also taken to Twitter to congratulate the Lanka Premier League cricket tournament. Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa also took to Twitter to ask which team he should support.