From suggesting MSD officers to Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) to initiating 5 million World Cup team song or asking national team’s coaches to resign, it seems that Sports Minister Harin Fernando is running the cricket board, instead of its president Shammi Silva and his administration. The latest episode of ‘New SLC constitution‘ also reflect the same!
Right after national team’s world cup debacle, the top administrators of SLC had made it crystal clear that head coach Chandika Hathurasingha needs to go now. Moreover, SLC President Shammi Silva had already started negotiation with few international and county coaches, during his stay in UK. The message was loud and clear: Hathurusingha’s time as Sri Lanka’s head coach is over!
However, even before SLC administrators could retun to Sri Lanka after finishing ICC meetings, Harin Fernando entered into the scene.
On July 17, Harin sent a special directive to SLC, requesting the removal of Sri Lanka’s coaches, including Chandika Hathurusingha.
“This is to bring to your notice that as the minister of telecommunication, foreign employment and Sports, by virtue of powers vested in me under section 39 (1) of the Sports act, hereby issued a special directive to Sri Lanka Cricket to take steps to remove all coaches of national team with effect from 01st August 2019” Harin’s letter, dated 17 July, reads.
As the letter suggests, Harin pushed SLC on sidelines and took the centre stage in removing Hathurusingha. Right after world cup debacle, entire Sri Lanka are asking for Hathurasingha’s sacking, so Harin took it as a opportunity to salvage his pride.
However, it was unethical from Harin’s side to interfere into SLC territory! Hiring and removing of coaches is an internal thing of SLC and board has even appointed a cricket committee to look after these matters. Harin, however sidelined everyone and took all the limelight. Now, if Sri Lanka’s most talked about wicket (Hathurusingha) falls, credit will go to Harin, not to SLC.
Not surprisingly, even SLC didn’t like it!
“It’s unacceptable. Even if coaches to be removed by Sports Minister, then what will we do? What will SLC do? It seems that Sports Minister wants to keep everything under his control” a senior SLC administrator told Cricket Age in term of anonymity.
And, this was not the only instance, when Harin took centre stage at SLC. Prior to world cup, Sports Ministry initiated 5 million theme song for the national team. Cricket Age learns that the top administrators of SLC were reluctant for the song!
Then, MSD officials went to UK with the Sri Lanka team. However, even before the start of Sri Lanka’s World Cup campaign, those MSD officers returned to Sri Lanka!
“It is understandable that country’s election are around the corner. However, Sports Minister must not unnecessarily interfere in SLC internal things, even he wants to take mileage out of it” the senior administrator added further.
Harin’s latest initiative of ‘SLC new constitution’ also reflects the same trend. As Cricket Age published yesterday itself, Harin suddenly decided to table new SLC constitution in parliament! That too, without following proper preliminary procedures!
“I think it’s a good to table new constitution in parliament, as it lays the foundation for more transparency and honesty at SLC” one of the most prominent figure in Sri Lanka told Cricket Age.
However, the timing and Harin’s desperation indicates that it might be another attempt to undermine SLC, at a time when public mandate is against the board.
For SLC, current president Shammi Silva likes to play with a straight bat! In Cricketing language, he is very attacking as well and believes in hire and fire philosophy. Most importantly, Shammi is well known for putting things in right prospective.
However, even more than five months after his appointment as opener (president), he is yet to showcase his capabilities! Reason, during this period, Harin has continuesly playing on his pitch!
“The Sports Minister needs to realize that he is more than often batting on SLC pitch. Right now, this approach of his is depriving SLC to work freely, especially internally” the senior SLC administrator concluded.
Just few days ago, the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Zimbabwe membership, over political interference in board’s functioning. Harin needs to realize that his continues interference at SLC (especially in board’s internal functioning) might push Sri Lanka Cricket towards same direction!
