Jaffna – northern part of the Island – is always considered a stronghold of present Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) vice president K. Mathivanan! A stalwart of Sri Lanka Cricket with a clean image, Mathivanan, throughout his journey at Maitland Place, has always enjoyed unconditional backing from the north-east region of the country, that helped him in winning the SLC elections comfortably and serving the game of cricket, whom he loves the most!
These days, however, his SLC colleagues are spending some worthy time in his stronghold!
SLC president Shammi Silva and his deputy Ravin Wickramaratne, along with NDC head Kamal Dharmasiri, HR Manager Tanesh Dias and engineer Nalin, are currently in the middle of three days long Jaffna visit.
Officially, the visit is for inspecting a ground at Mallakam, which was built by Jaffna District Cricket Association. In addition, on Friday, Shammi-Ravin and team visited Hindu College, St. John’s and Jaffna Central and promised to develop turf wickets, while developing the overall ground conditions of St. Patrick College Jaffna, which already has a turf wicket.
On Saturday, the top officials are traveling to Vaunia, Mulaitiv and Kilinochchi.
“These visits are part of board’s national development plan, which was initiated few years ago. The main purpose is to get first hand glimpse of facilities at grass root level, identity shortcomings and make the efforts to sort them out” an insider at SLC, who is traveling with the top brass, told Cricket Age.
In a larger picture, this particular visit is likely to give a new twist in north-east cricket politics. In last SLC election, Jaffna District Cricket association voted for Mathivanan, but snubbed president candidate Jayantha Dharmadasa!
Even though, next SLC election is scheduled for August 2021 (it was originally slated for May, but received 3 months extension from the government after Coronavirus), it is already a known fact that Mathivanan and Shammi-Ravin are not on the same page!
That’s why, the ongoing Jaffna visit of SLC top brass is likely to make a significant impact in the next board election!
“Mathivanan enjoys good support and backing in north-east, for decades now. It’s always his stronghold” an expert of Sri Lanka Cricket told Cricket Age.
Right now, Shammi and Ravin are batting in his stronghold, that too with a national cricket development plan!
