Thursday 22nd January, 2009 15

bank accounts at the expense of By changing from anything, however disgusting or one commodity to deceitful such a ploy would be. But how far such attitudes can go is a the other, problem because the ads and endorsements only last as long as notwithstand- you are popular, as long as you are ing even the backed by the commoners. It won’t be that far off before the day the ethical aspect people kick these mock heroes out of his con- of their world. Sangakkara, along with the duct, ‘Sanga,’ present Mahela Jayawardene, , this eloquent and their ‘I changed from English lan- subordinates like Tillekaratne Dilshan, and guage speaker – that once-upon-a- to marketing. This is a and, significant- time pacie who turned model now seen even in biscuit ads — have ly, the most now made Ranatunga a lunatic. They say, make hey while the sun very simple plan’ respected ambas- shines. Ranatunga could have been sador of Sri nuts not to grab those easy bucks!

rench president Nicolas They expected a mighty heave from him. Alas! Lankan cricket, Ultimate Flop Sarkozy’s controversial , the most respected By changing from one commod- cultural revolution of has been left to “F ambassador of Sri Lanka cricket. Now he’s ity to the other, notwithstanding the country’s television industry become a mere even the ethical aspect of his con- began last night as public service confused with the brands he promotes. Hail all the Sanga benefactors and his private third grade joker duct, ‘Sanga,’ this eloquent English broadcasting (PSB) channels language speaker and, significant- scrapped evening prime time agents! Oh, Mercy! The poor cricket fans. in the eyes of the ly, the most respected ambassador advertising, amid an outcry from (Files) of Sri Lankan cricket, has been left journalists and strike action public. to become a mere third grade joker planned for this week… Sarkozy high hopes on this Kandyan lad. in the eyes of the public. studied the BBC model before declar- By playing to the hands of his ing advertising would be gradually Biggest Advertiser unscrupulous advertising agents, banned from France’s five state He was observed as someone who make profits out of this easy channels by 2011, beginning with who could re-establish, with his image-selling business, ‘Sanga’ has prime time. He claims scrapping posh background, the otherwise foolishly traded in an invaluable advertising would free state televi- fading classy aura of Sri Lankan charisma that would have one day sion to be more creative and public cricket. After a patchy start, the elevated him to a heroic stature in service-minded… Last night from stylish 22-year-old left hander, the national context. 8.00 pm, more than 20 million steadied a crumbling Lankan The irritatingly poor cricket French prime time viewers were able innings, guiding it to a match-win- to watch PSB channels without the that the Lankan team, featuring ning 131 for four with a heartening some glittering stars, display in the traditional 20-minute block of habit of selling knows no ethics. 66-run 4th stand with time became a masterful figure of middle these days against the Zims advertising between the end of the ‘These days, some people tend to . the national team. That was the and Bangas and the Paks, will not evening news at 8.30 pm and the sell even their mothers’ As the hosts won the match beginning of the story of Kumar only annoy the ardent cricket fans start of evening entertainment pro- – Former Sri Lanka Captain with more than seven overs to Chokshananda Sangakkara, a law of the country but surely they gramming at 8.50 pm. Advertising student and a high profile interna- who never spare before eventually winning would be driven away from the on PSB channels will now stop at the series beating in tional cricketer, who later turned appeared in commercial ads dur- game resulting in an eventual flop 8.00 pm and start again at 6.00 am in the final, the fans had out to be THE most energetic model ing his career, because his moth- of all commercial endeavours the following day… Around 40% of welcomed a responsible shoulder of Colombo commercialism. er, a school teacher, has advised based on the game’s wide populari- French people eat dinner while on which the future of the coun- him not to do so. ty. watching the 8.00 pm television try’s unofficial national sport Two Phone Ads Over the years, it has been news.” would lie in the years to come. That Kick ’em out Ten days ago, when Sangakkara clearly established that mere criti- was at the expense of none other From a corporate angle too, appeared in a TV advertisement cism and the wrath put forward A news report which appeared than that affable ‘Little Kalu’ of Sangakkara has created enemies promoting a new mobile phone net- through the media won’t change in ‘The Guardian’ of Jan. 6, 2009 Moratuwa. by betraying a customer base by work saying “I changed to … (the either the heart or mind of these The man later carved a niche new phone service provider’s stepping into the shoes of a rival greedy cricketers. They don’t care a When this man came into bat in for himself as a solid No. 3 bat for name). This is a very easy plan,” party overnight. Such people can cent. In the thick of the war or even front of the monumental the Lions, with a style compared any rational viewer would have felt no longer become overwhelmingly after that, the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ fortress, in a Singer Tri Series One- often to that of former - sick of the man. It was only the popular cricketers like the ones of may have to act a Sarkozy here in day International against tain David Gower, and after a few other day that the posh Kandyan yesteryear. Sri Lanka. on July 5, 2000, at a time when Sri years, earned critics’ recognition sportsman, Sri Lanka’s probable The new ones of course, like Debunk the ad world! Save the Lanka was struggling at three for as one of the all-time best wicket- future captain, had promoted Sanga, look like they don’t want to game from money hungry, reckless 65 while chasing 165 in 45 overs, a keeper batsmen in world cricket. another mobile phone network in a become public heroes anyway. players! cricket fanatic nation had pinned The suave, dignified Kandyan in no series of ads. Money talks. The Their sole purpose is to fill their

by M. A. Cyril not clear. Charges have been Lewke steps made against him and a Sri Lanka avoided the Sri Lanka’s ODI performance Parliamentary debate is like- unthinkable by the skin of ly to come up within the next down as their teeth in the final of the few days. There is an impor- tri-series involving Sri tant meeting of the ICC rep- Lanka, Bangladesh and and the proposed deal resentatives fixed for the end Zimbabawe. of this month in Perth President Ranatunga’s prediction of Sri Lanka still depends heav- For some, this lucrative over as acting captain due to Had it not been for where several important not so long ago that very ily on Sanath Jayasuriya. deal would be a godsend. an injury to Atapattu, but he Muralitharan’s heroics matters are to be discussed. soon Sri Lanka will lose to The selectors have failed to Whether Sri Lanka cricket could not come back even as when everything seemed lost Who will be Sri Lanka’s rep- of SLRFU Bangladesh came true. The find a suitable replacement can recover from the mess it a player when he was fit. with the of Kumar resentative? If the right per- inability to define a goal and for this ageing warrior, is in is another matter. This classy batsman, known Sangakkara with the score at son is not sent, Sri Lanka’s achieve it when first whose name still instills fear Sri Lanka’s international for his elegant high-elbow 114 for 8, it would have been cricket is bound to suffer. was seen at its worst form in among the best of bowlers. calendar shows that this cover drive who scored six Bangladesh who would have Intelligent cricketers like this match. When a match is At the end of the year would be worse than double hundreds to become ended up as winners. If that Jayawardene and reduced to 31 overs a side, Zimbabawe tour, Mahela last year, for Sri Lanka. Sri the fourth in the all-time had happened, it would have Sangakkara have a role to the approach to run scoring Jayawardene denied that Lanka played only six Tests double hundred list behind been the first time that play in the development of has to change from a normal over confidence stemming last year, less than even Bradman. Hammond and Bangladesh won a tri-series Sri Lanka’s cricket. They situation. It is true that Sri from playing weak oppo- Bangladesh who played nine Lara left the international involving a Test nation. cannot be unaware of the Lanka had a setback at the scene, a sad and disillu- Sri Lanka’s performances future of players like beginning with the loss of sioned man. A cricketer with in the one-day arena has Atapattu and Arnold if the two early , but one At the end of the Zimbabawe such experience who has sac- been on the downward trend proposed agreement con- must not forget Sanath rificed the best years of his for sometime. In 2007, Sri tour, Mahela Jayawardene tains such conditions which Jayasuriya was at the wick- life for cricket deserves a bet- Lanka, under Mahela would prevent them from et. Even at the age of 39, he denied that over confidence ter deal than to be banned Jayawardene’s captaincy lost having anything to do with Nimal Lewke can score runs faster than from performing anything an ODI series to England, stemming from playing weak cricket. What would they the best in the business. But connected to cricket. The Senior DIG Nimal thus becoming the first Sri feel if the two of them it does not augur well for Sri opponents was the cause for Sri only crime he has committed Lewke, former Lankan captain to lose a (Jayawardene and Lanka’s cricket that it has to is playing for the ICL and it Commandant of the elite home ODI series against Lanka’s poor performances. Sangakkara), are placed in a depend on a batsman fast is the BCCI which has ruled Special Task Force, has England. Then in August last similar situation? It is not approaching forty and on the Then the reasons lie elsewhere. that it is a crime to play for decided to step down as year, Jayawardene once too late even at this stage to verge of retirement. Take the ICL. President of the Sri Lanka again became the first Sri Could it be that his (Mahela’s), intervene on behalf of their away his score of 54 and you With the signing of the Rugby Football Union, with Lankan captain to lose an colleagues and prevent a sit- immediate effect. are left with a score of less mind is preoccupied with the proposed agreement, SLC ODI series at home to India. uation where their future In a media release sent than 100. If 147 is all you can will agree with the BCCI that Then came the ODI series next IPL tournament? Whatever would be ruined. to us yesterday, Lewke score against a team like it is a crime to play for the against Zimbabawe, a team It is interesting to know states that “it was indeed a Bangladesh in 31 overs, then it is, there appears to be a grave ICL and that players like which is not even playing the role of the Sri Lanka difficult decision to arrive one can imagine the position Atapattu should therefore be now. The results failure of attitude. Cricketers’ Association on at, but it has been done in against better teams. To barred from having anything show that Sri Lanka swept this matter. This association the best interests of the make matters worse, Sri to do with cricket. Arnold the series 5-0, but Sri Lanka is expected to safeguard the game, which suffered some Lanka could not last even the nents was the cause for Sri Tests. More and more made a refreshing entry as a just managed to scrape rights of the present players minor hiccups due to mis- 31 overs! And to think that Lanka’s poor performances. Twenty-20 would be the cricket commentator and through in the last three and to look after the future placed loyalties and mis- Sri Lanka allowed Then the reasons lie else- order of the day. was hailed by many sea- matches. It was the Sri of the past players. It there- chief. It is all behind me Bangladesh to reach the tar- where. Could it be that his The details of the terms soned commentators as one Lankan bowlers who saved fore comes within the now and as the president I get in just 23.5 overs conced- (Mahela’s), mind is preoccu- and conditions of the pro- who would have a great the blushes for Sri Lanka purview of this association am happy that we weath- ing bonus points which pied with the next IPL tour- posed deal may not be known future as a commentator. while the batsmen, except for to intervene on behalf of ered the storm to ensure enabled them to enter the nament? Whatever it is, till the agreement is signed. Unfortunately, he will not be Sangakkara put up a shoddy past players like Atapattu stability, progress and con- final was the final nail in the there appears to be a grave However, from what the able to engage in such a display. and Arnold in a situation sistency of this great game. coffin. It was a disgraceful failure of attitude. Minister of Sports stated at career once the agreement is At the end of the like this when their future is “We have a blueprint for surrender. Jayawardene and the SLC headquarters SLC signed by the BCCI and SLC. Zimbabawe series the Sri threatened. the overall improvement of In the final against other players contracted by would support the Indian Who is running the Lankan captain Mahela The image of Sri Lanka’s the game and the develop- Bangladesh the target in 50 the IPL should have no cause board on the ICL issue, it is affairs of cricket in Sri Jayawardene, who averaged cricket has been defaced by ment of rugby in Sri Lanka overs is only 153. Sri Lanka’s for worry as things back clear that players like Lanka now? It was reported 4.75 in the series stated that the controversies which and I am confident that innings was a succession of home have changed dramati- Marvan Atapattu and Russel that the Secretary of the the would rectify the faults have continued to haunt it. whoever will be my succes- tragedies from the very cally in favour of the IPL. No Arnold would have no future Ministry of Sports has been as quickly as possible. It is Although some maybe sor, that he would consider inception. Even though the longer is Arjuna Ranatunga in cricket. appointed to attend to the true that he scored a century happy and contented, there the proposals made with target was small, the player a stumbling block to any Both Atapattu and Arnold duties carried out by the in the Test series against is much unhappiness all careful planning and fore- with the experience of play- shady deals. There is no cannot hope to play for the interim committee. One per- Bangladesh, but his failures round. It will need the sight in the best interests of ing in the most number of interim committee to seek ICL for long as their playing son, especially a public ser- in the one-day version con- efforts of efficient and sin- the game.” ODIs in the world gets run permission to participate in days are coming to an end, vant, who has to carry out He adds that he is happy tinued. He was out without cere men of character to pre- out in the first ball of the such tournaments. Once the but both of them have con- his normal duties in addi- that the SLRFU is in a very scoring in the match against vent this slide. Fortunately, innings. Then for the first agreement is signed next tributed a lot to Sri Lanka tion, cannot be expected to stable position at the Zimbabwe and in the final. Sri Lanka is not short of time in ODI cricket a team month, the road is clear and cricket. Atapattu was the carry out the various func- moment with a Rs. 50 mil- Then in the first match such persons, but how they loses five wickets for six no permission would be nec- captain of Sri Lanka when tions carried out by a cricket lion fixed deposit. against Bangladesh, Arjuna can come into the picture is runs! This again shows that essary. Mahela Jayawardene took board. The CEO’s position is the question.