After Mahela Jayawardene and Muttiah Muralitharan, another former Sri Lanka great Roshan Mahanama has also issued a media statement to reply Country’s Sports Minister and Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) proposal to invite legendary cricketers as consultants.
“Thank you very much for your letter, dated 14th July 2018, inviting me to serve on a committee to advise Sri Lanka Cricket board (SLC) on matter relating to cricket areas.
It is my strong belief that we need to properly address and resolve some of the burning issues that the SLC is currently faced with prior to the formation of the committee. Absolute honesty, transparency and strict adherence to accepted norms and practices in all dealings connected with SLC ate of paramount importance.
Further, in the interest of the game that I so passionately love, a new refreshing plan of action to resurrect Sri Lanka Cricket should receive the highest priority. I have a list of points that I have noted, some of which was Discussed with you during our brief meeting few weeks ago.
Whilst appreciating your invitation, I am reluctantly compelled to inform you of my inability to accept your invitation unless these issues are properly addressed and resolved.
I must emphasizes in conclusion, that my stance on this matter must never be misconstrued as lack of concern on my part to assist Sri Lanka Cricket. I would do my very best to assist Sri Lanka Cricket at any time, but I detest political interference, dishonesty and lack of transparency at any level and until someone makes a positive effort to eliminate them, I consider it prudent to stick to my principles and play the selective role I have chosen” Mahanama Wrote in his media statement, referring to Sports Minister Faizer Mustapha.
On June 13, A day before All-Important Court Hearing Against Thilanga Sumathipala on a case filed by former secretary Nishantha Ranatunga, SLC and Sports Minister Made a public appeal to Country’s finest cricketers – Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Aravinda De Silva, Roshan Mahanama and Muttiah Muralitharan – To Join a consultant Committee.
The Idea was to put all of them into a committee on consultancy basis to get their advice on Cricket related matters.
However, few hours later, Mahela Jayawardene not only refused the idea, he also Completely exposed SLC’ motive behind this.
“With all due respect to the selectors & the sports minister i have spent 1 year in the cricket committee & 6 months in a special advisory committee & no recomendations were implimented. I dont have any trust in the system. If any one wants to buy time please dont use us!” he wrote on his twitter handle.
The tweet had an immediate impact! It created a havoc! within few hours, it became a talking point in entire Cricket fraternity. On Friday, Legendary Muttiah Muralitharan also expressed the same opinion.
