Cricket new boos and Sports minister- Split begins with the opening remarks

Newly-elected President of Sri Lanka Cricket Shammi Silva hit out at former Sri Lankan cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena accusing them of interfering in the cricket administration.

Addressing his first press briefing after being elected as the new SLC President, Silva said Sri Lanka was the only country where former cricketers would interfere with the administrative work.

“Look at India. Do you think Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar interfere with their cricket administration?” Silva asked.

Silva, a close ally of former SLC Chairman Thilanga Sumathipala, was elected the President of SLC today with a majority of 26 votes. His rival was businessman Jayantha Dharmadasa, backed by Arjuna Ranatunga and his brother, Nishantha Ranatunga.

However, addressing a press briefing earlier today, Sports Minister Harin Fernando said he would pursue the plan presented by former cricketers Sangakkara, Jayawardena and Aravinda de Silva to amend the SLC constitution.

“I will present it to the Cabinet and then get it passed in Parliament. I am sure all political parties will support the amendment. The new SLC management will be given a reasonable time-frame to make the transition. The new administration, regardless of who they are, will have to work with this plan,” Fernando explained.

The Sangakkara-Jayawardena plan is aimed at reducing the number of teams at the top tier of domestic cricket and making it more competitive. It is a widely-held belief that there is an unbridgeable gap between Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket and international cricket that has turned Sri Lanka’s national team into an underperforming unit in recent years.

The Minister also added that he had a meeting with two former players, Sangakkara and Jayawardena, last evening. Fernando expressed optimism that the new cricket administration would cooperate with him to usher in reforms.

However, Silva’s remarks indicate that the new cricket administration is already on a collision course with the Sports Minister and two of the most respected players in the country’s cricket history.

The new officials of the Board are as follows;

Shammi Silva was elected as the President of Sri Lanka Cricket with 83 votes.

Ravin Wickremeratne and K. Mathivanan were both elected as Vice Presidents with 82 and 80 votes respectively.

Mohan de Silva was elected as the new Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket with 96 votes.

Chrishantha Kapuwaththa who secured 94 votes was elected to the post of Assistant Secretary.

Lasantha Liyanage was elected as the Treasurer of the Board with a count of 100 votes

Lalith Rambukwella was elected as Deputy Treasurer with 92 votes.

Courtesy : srilankasports.com