Sri Lanka Cricket is in shambles! The Maitland Place has no Cricket Board Since 31st May and Entire Cricket fraternity has been crying to Save the most popular game of the Island. Former legends like Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Roshan Mahanama has openly criticised the present Sri Lanka Structure, while Former Administrators have also came together to Save the game. All they are asking for an interim committee, however Sports Minister Faizer Mustapha, The Boss of the SLC at the moment, is Silent!
On Friday, Seven most prominent Cricket administrators, including the likes of Jayantha Dharmadasa and Sidath Wettimuny, Jointly wrote a letter to Mustapha demanding for an interim committee.
Going one step further, Dharmadasa, former SLC President, has assured Mustapha that if He would be given an opportunity to resurrect Sri Lanka Cricket through an interim committee or in any other way, he can bring Cricket back on track only in three months.
“Sumathipala said that he needs three more years to bring Sri Lanka Cricket back on track, but I can make a winning team at SLC in just three months” Dharmadasa said during an interview yesterday.
Sick and tired by Sumathipala and Co, Former players and administrators are alike seeing a ray of hope In Dharmadasa Vision.
“In his recent interviews, Sumathipala said that he needs three years more to put cricket on right track. However, Dharmadasa is saying that he needs only three months to do this. So Sports Minister must appoint Dharmadasa through an Interim committee to get Sri Lanka cricket on the map again to do well and excel” a former SLC administrator told Cricket Age.
Though, the bigger question is : Will Mustapha Listen Dharmadasa plea? More importantly, has he the courage to go against Sumathipala, who enjoys a close association with Country’s President?
Doubt are plenty! Reason, In his short period so far as Sports Minister, Mustapha has taken the decision only favorable for Sumathipala! When, he could have easily appointed an interim committee after May 31st, He put his secretary as Competent Authority instead to run SLC. That Competent Authority Kamal Padmasiri is busy watching domestic matches with Sumathipala and going for overseas joyrides with SLC CEO Ashley De Silva, who has proven himself as the loyal of Sumathipala Camp.
And, it is not only Competent Authority, Mustapha himself is also enjoying the Sumathipala Company more than anyone else! According to sources, After his departure from the SLC, Sumathipala is a frequent visitor of Sports Ministry.
That might be one of the reason, why Mustapha is maintaining Silence. Former players openly raised serious questions against present SLC setup, but Mustapha couldn’t say a single word!
Now, Dharmadasa has made another sincere attempt. It would be interesting to see, whether Mustapha breaks his mysterious silence or not this time around!
