Dominating and interfering nature of Asanka Gurusinha, the cricket manager of Sri Lanka team, is well known. the man, responsible for the departure of Coach Graham Ford, is in another controversy, as this time he took players on his radar, that too in the middle of the third test match, when players were trying their best to escape whitewash in the series!
During the 3rd Test match in Pallekele, that Sri Lanka lost within three days, it was disheartning to hear that on the 2nd day of the test match during the last session of play a very senior player had been looking for biscuits for consumption. On inquiry, it was found that biscuits were not available, so he politely requested the Liaison officer to fetch some biscuits. The Liaison Office immediately set about his task in purchasing biscuits for the players.
On his return the Manager Asanka Gurusingha got wind of the matter and asked the Liaison Office who wanted the biscuits and the Liaison Office replied that the players had wanted. The Manager then replied stating that this what the players need to be given and not anything else.
The players and the senior players got so mad that a heated argument took place and certain players even went to the extent of breaking the table crockery in protest to the statement, that was made by the Manager Gurusingha.
It is pathetic to note what is going on behind closed doors between the Team and the Manager and it may be the prime reason why Sri Lanka Team is performing in this manner.
It is time that the SLC Office bearers take stock of this whole episode and ensure that the cricketers are not shabbily treated and the focus be on cricket rather than organizing charity matches and pleasing member countries when the house is not in order. It is best if they focus on internal matters rather than external matters.
Food a waste
It was also observed that food orders were in high numbers, even though only a few VIP came to witness match. Almost as many as 400 lunch packets were organized per day, whilst only a handful had consumed meals.
The ground staff were also provided with lunch packets, carrying chicken pieces in it. Each lunch packet cost around Rs1800 per packet, whilst the going rate was around Rs300/.
The VIP lunches cost around Rs2500/per head.
All this was provided by the Secretary of the Central Province Mr. Janaka Pathirana on instructions of the Sri Lanka Cricket Treasurer Mr. Shammi Silva.
