Even after Four Months, when Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) decided not to renew the contract of Roy Dias is the Head Coach of U19 Team, The Board Couldn’t Name his successor as yet, largely due to internal politics and favoritism is taking place, Cricket Age reliably learns.
After the disastrous showing in U19 World Cup in New Zealand in January, SLC Unoffically Sidelined Dais and advertised to find a new head coach.
Accordingly, Last month Over half a dozen candidates being interviewed by a Committee, headed by SLC notorious Vice President K. Mathivanan. Simon Willis, Then High Performance Manager of SLC, was also part of the Interview Committee.
Former players Ruwan Kalpage, Prabhath Nishanka, Jeewantha Kalatunga were the prominent names amongst candidates.
Cricket Age, however, learns that the appointment has become a game of tussle, as Mathivanan has pushing his favorites to take over the position.
According to sources, Mathivanan wants to Appoint his favorite Hashan Tillakaratne, even though he didn’t apply even.
However, Mathivanan is adamant on this, Thus he has sidelined other candidates one by one.
According to sources, Prabhath Nisanka, who has been doing coaching in Australia, came all the way to Colombo for the interview. Jeewantha Kalatunga Was also a Prime candidate to take over, as previously held the position of Sri Lanka Women’s Team Coach.
However, as both were not in the good book of Mathivanan, they have now been discarded.
Ruwan Kalpage case was more interesting. As he was with Sri Lanka Head Coach Chandika Hathurusingha during his period with Bangladesh, He was considered an automatic choice.
However, during the interview, he questioned about the presence of Simon Willis as a member of interview Committee, thus being discarded.
Some other former players Thilina Kandambi, Malinda Warnapura and Chaminda Vaas too faced the interview with the backing of some former cricketers. Malinda Warnapura was earlier pushed by Mathivanan for the job, but later he also been sidelined. It is noteworthy that Malinda’s Father is also a good friend of Mathivanan, as he belongs to Cavelliers Club.
