Sri Lanka’s high profile Coach Chandika Hathurusingha reportedly made an unsuccessful attempt recently to reverse one of the commercial decision taken by former Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) president Thilanga Sumathipala led administration, Cricket Age reliably learns.
In December last year, Sumathipala had brought Hathurusingha to Coach Sri Lanka. However, as Sumathipala led administration had to leave the SLC on May 31st after failing to conduct election on time, now there is no functioning cricket board at Maitland place. So, taking this as an opportunity, Hathurusingha is focusing on other things as well apart from the coaching.
According to sources, few days ago Hathurusingha tried to manipulate with the SLC official travel partner contract. In 2016, Sumathipala led administration advertised for National Team’s official travel partner. Accordingly, George Steuart and Classic travels submitted their quotations. After scrutinising, SLC opted for classic travels as travel partner.
However, few days ago, Hathurusingha tried to bring back George Steuart in place of classic travels.
“Hathurasingha insisted that George Steuart contracted Emirates operates three flights in a day in comparison to classic travels contracted Sri Lanka airlines one flight in a day, so, it is good to go with George Steuart” a top SLC Official told Cricket Age.
When Cricket Age inquired, it learnt that Hathurusingha shares a very good rapport with George Steuart Managing Director Channa Wijemanne, as they played domestic cricket together at Tamil Union.
As Hathurusingha insisted SLC officials to consider George Steuart instead of classic travels, the matter went to Sports Minister Appointed Competent Authority Kamal Padmasiri last week. However, after scrutinising all the contracts, Competent Authority found Classic Travel’s quotation more attractive than George Steuart.
However, Hathurusingha’s attempt to manipulate things once again raised serious questions over his ever increasing domination. Ever since his arrival in Sri Lanka, he is constantly trying to get involve in everything at SLC.
“It’s not about whether Hathurasingha managed to bring his preferred George Steuart or not. It’s about how he is trying to manipulate things. He is with Sri Lanka team to Coach them, not to decide in which airlines players will travel. His job is to Coach Sri Lanka, not to manipulate” a former administrator told Cricket Age.
