Former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Thilanga Sumathipala, who is trying hard to remain ‘relevant’ in the upcoming board election, has floated a former player’s name for one of the top post at Maitland Place, Cricket Age reliably learns.
Sumathipala, who self proclaim himself as the Messiah of the Sri Lanka Cricket, was barred from occupying any administrative post in Sri Lanka Cricket in 2019 by then Sports Minister Harin Fernando, after ICC released the evidences of his involvement in betting and match fixing!
However, he still dreams to manipulate the proceedings at Maitland Place, with the help of some of his loyals, who are still part of Sri Lanka cricket – mainly in provinces.
According to insiders at Punchi Borella, In his greed to remain in the fray, Sumathipala is now desperately trying to float one former player’s name as vice president candidate in the next SLC election, which is expected to be held in May.
“He has shown his desire to support a particular camp in the next SLC election. But, he has one condition – that the said former player should be contesting for the vice president position” the Punchi Borella Insider told Cricket Age.
The cricket expert in Sri Lanka Cricket, however, labels Sumathipala’s so called proposal as another gimmick to stay relevant.
“He has done and dusted. Even with all his manipulation, he barely hold control over 30 odd votes. In this scenario, no camp need his supports” an expert told Cricket Age.
The SLC has already begun the proceedings of the upcoming election. During an Extraordinary General Meeting on January 7, Sri Lanka Cricket appointed 3 members Election Committee in accordance with the Sports Law regulations. The SLC Membership unanimously elected the members of the election committee, who will be now tasked to conduct the election of office bearers at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM).
