Criticize Me, Leave the Players Alone

Tuesday 1st June, 2010 Sports Minister Power failure badly refused SLC exposes cricket ‘bribe’ Criticize me, leave administration Corruption and inefficiency are An words closely associated with cricket attempt by administrations under the purviews of Sri Lanka the players alone Thilanga Sumathipala and Jayantha Cricket to Dharmadasa, who have fought many a offer an all battle to secure power at one of Asia’s expenses – Aravinda richest sports bodies. With the current paid trip to administration headed by D.S. de Silva Sports nepotism too has raised its head along Minister with corruption and inefficiency and C.B. the happenings of yesterday at SLC Ratnayake to headquarters were a clear indication the that the place is in utter mess. Sports Minister Caribbean While Sports Minister C.B. C.B. Ratnayake was refused Ratnayake accused the cricket admin- by the istration of corruption during a media Minister, The Island learns. briefing yesterday, he also got a first It’s learnt that SLC offered hand experience of the inefficiency of three all expenses paid tickets to the board officials when a power fail- the Minister and his family, a ure during the briefing held up pro- trick that SLC officials had ceedings for more than 20 minutes. played successfully with Minister It is a well known fact that SLC has Ratnayake’s predecessor. been overstaffed and giving a typical The offer had come just prior example of the attitude of SLC to the World T-20 Tournament in employees it took them more than 20 the Caribbean, but the Minister minutes to put on the generator. had refused the offer. The Minister after waiting for a At a media briefing yesterday while asked the board officials to serve Minister Ratnayeke slammed SLC refreshments. claiming it to be the third most corrupt institution in the coun- try. The hierarchy of SLC has Inter Provincial Under-19 Tourney engaged in various dubious activ- ities and despite the media high- lighting them the government Chathuranga had turned a blind eye to the alle- gations. SLC Secretary Nishantha guides WP North Ranatunga has been on 30 over- seas trips since being appointed BY REEMUS to the Interim Committee last FERNANDO year. He has also claimed a mas- All-rounder sive 5.2 million Rupees as pocket Chathuranga money. A popular joke doing Kumara cracked rounds is that even George W. Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Chief Cricket Selector Aravinda De Silva, right, speaks as Sri Lankan captain Kumar an unbeaten 64 Bush wouldn’t have undertaken Sangakkara looks on at SLC headquarters yesterday. (Pic by Eranga Jayawardena). runs laced with 30 overseas trips in a year. BY REX CLEMENTINE three sixes and SLC Chairman D.S. de Silva, whether to congratulate or sympathize De Silva, who was a member of the five fours after meanwhile, has offered the two New Chairman of Selectors with me.” selection committee in 2003-2004 soon picking up four most lucrative positions at the Aravinda de Silva said he wanted to He also identified four main factors after he retired, felt that Sri Lanka had wickets for Chathuranga board to his nephews. While one see another Sri Lankan team winning the players coming into the World Cup the talent to emerge as the best cricket Western Province North to record a of his nephews; Suraj Dandeniya the World Cup and for the next nine squad should possess. “We need to team in the world. six wicket victory over Southern functions as a Director of the months he will be making plans to work towards the best combination for “I was telling Sanga a little while Province in the Sri Lanka Cricket con- World Cup Secretariat for a achieve this target. the World Cup. I considers factors like ago that this team has the ability to ducted Inter Provincial Under-19 tour- princely monthly salary of close De Silva was the key man when Sri experience, fitness, commitment and achieve something that even we didn’t nament match played at Ananda to Rs. 600,000 his cousin Kapila Lanka won the World Cup for the only discipline as key ingredients. That’s achieve; to beat Australia in Australia Mawatha Yesterday. Dandeniya is employed for anoth- time in 1996 where he scored an what I am looking for from players,” de in a Test match.” Chathuranga consumed just 50 er fantastic monthly salary of Rs. unbeaten hundred in the final against Silva added. “It’s a good sign that the minister balls for his knock which sealed the 225,000 at the World Cup Australia in Lahore. De Silva will be supported by for- has said that he will not interfere in victory with 19 overs to spare. Secretariat. "I want another team to win a mer team-mate and Test wicketkeeper any selection matters. I will put for- Earlier the paceman shared seven Minister Ratnayake promised World Cup. I'll try and work hard and Amal Silva, former cricketer and ward my neck for the decisions the wickets with Ruwinda Shamen to restrict Southern Province to just 200 to clean up the mess at SLC and honestly as possible to ensure this task respected administrator Ranjit committee takes. You can criticize me. runs. several heads are expected to roll is achieved,” the 44-year-old soft spo- Fernando and the little known Shabir But don’t criticize the players. Let Scores: at the cricket headquarters. ken former batsman told journalists. Asgaraly. “The four of us have one them focus on the World Cup,” de Silva Southern Province 200 all out in The first set of changes hap- He also said that he knew it would- motive. Our ideas will be different, but said. 48.3 overs (Nirwantha Thikshila 20, pened with the Minister replac- n’t be an easy job, but was happy that if we take a decision all of us will sup- The new committee’s first task will Pabasara Waduge 53, T.M. Ekanayake ing the entire selection commit- he had got an assurance from the port that decision. I value others’ be to pick the squad for the upcoming 39, Pulina Tharanga 23; Sachith Dias tee headed by former fast bowler Minister of Sports that there wouldn’t views. I don’t think everyone will be Asia Cup tournament. The selection 3/23, Ruwinda Shamen 3/44, Ashantha de Mel. Selection be any political interference. “One guy saying that my decisions are the right panel is scheduled to meet soon to dis- Chathuranga Kumara 4/35) duties have been handed over to a called and congratulated me. Then he ones. They have to argue with me and cuss the composition of the new selec- WP North 201 for 4 in 30.5 overs committee headed by former bat- immediately said that he didn’t know see what’s best for the team.” tion committee. (Chathuranga Kumara 64n.o, Prabodha Arthavidu 30, Prashan ting great Aravinda de Silva. Wickramasinghe 35, Eranga Rathnayake 22n.o

Easy for WP South Western Province South romped to Wounded Lankans seek revival Air Chief Marshall Gunatilake an easy nine wickets victory over their Western Province South Outer Flying high after the upset win looked brittle against India and luster. As many as seven bowlers appointed President SLRFU counterparts as spinners Maduka over India, minnows Zimbabwe three run-outs didn’t help their were used against India but only Liyanapathiranage and Anuk de Alwis will look to spring another sur- cause either. two of them were among the wick- BY RAVI NAGAHAWATTE Schools Rugby Football reduced the latter to just 90 runs shar- prise when they take on Sri Lanka And if the Lankans have to ets, that too after giving away far Association and ing seven wickets between them in the in the third ODI of the cricket tri- avoid the embarrassment that too many runs. A Special General Wayamba Rugby Football Sri Lanka Cricket conducted Inter series in Bulawayo today. India endured, their batting would Meeting (SGM) of the Sri Union had walked out of Provincial Under-19 tournament match played at BRC Ground yester- Both the sides have played a be crucial and the likes of Thilan Teams: Lanka Rugby Football the hall due to the ques- tionable way in which day. match each — against India — and Samaraweera and Upul Tharanga Sri Lanka squad: Tillakaratne Union held yesterday had the SGM had been con- Chasing the paltry target Bhanuka have contrasting results to show will have to strike form. Dilshan (capt), Angelo Mathews produced some eye rais- ing incidents before Air ducted. Rajapaksha and Deshan Dias scored going into today’s game. On the bowling front, the (vice-capt), Upul Tharanga, Thilan Chief Marshal Roshan It is reported that unbeaten 31 and 25 runs respectively While Zimbabwe stunned India Lankans have a decent line-up with Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, for the WP South to record the victory Gunatilake was appoint- there had been a lawyer with a six-wicket triumph, the Nuwan Kulasekara and Dilhara Lahiru Thirimanne, Chamara with 37 overs to spare. Shehan ed as President of the at the SGM who had spelt Lankans suffered a seven-wicket Fernando heading the pace depart- Kapugedera, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Jayasuriya scored 23 runs. Rugby Union. out how the voting loss on Sunday. ment although the latter leaked too Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Earlier batting first WP South A well placed source should take place at the The contrast is evident in the many runs against India. Ajantha Mendis, Jeevan Mendis, Outer was shot out for 90 runs as confirmed the appoint- SGM. batting line-ups of both the sides as Ajantha Mendis spearheads the Dilhara Fernando, Chamara Silva, Liyanapathiranage and Alwis shared ment of Gunatilake as It is also reported that seven wickets well. While Sri Lanka’s batting, spin attack but was a tad too expen- Thissara Perera. President, but said that those who wanted the Scores: barring skipper Tillakaratne sive against India. Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura he was not in a position SGM to continue had Western Province South Outer 90 Dilshan and Angelo Mathews, was The Zimbabweans, on the other (capt), Andy Blignaut, Chamu to confirm the appoint- objected to the nomina- all out in 36.4 overs (Kavindu Asanka largely lackluster against India, hand, had a good day with the bat Chibhabha, Charles Coventry, ment of a secretary. 24; Maduka Liyanapathiranage 4/18, tions sent by the WPRFU the Zimbabweans chased down a against India. Craig Ervin and Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Speculation was rife Anuk de Alwis 3/20, Vikum Bandara rather stiff 285 with consummate Brendon Taylor notched up half- Greg Lamb, Hamilton Masakadza, that Shane Dullawe was to fill the posts of presi- 2/16) ease. centuries while the rest of the top Chris Mpofu, Ray Price, Ed appointed as secretary. dent and secretary. They Western Province South 93 for 1 Without regular stars like half also made important contribu- Rainsford, Vusi Sibanda, Tatenda The source said that had said that the WPRFU in 12.3 overs (Bhanuka Rajapaksha Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar tions to the successful chase. Taibu, Brendan Taylor, Prosper all provincial unions nominations should be 31n.o, Deshan Dias 25n.o, Shehan Sangakkara, Sri Lanka’s batting The bowling, however, was lack- Utseya. except for Sri Lanka declared null and void. Jayasuriya 23)

Tuesday 1st June, 2010