Stalwart Nishantha Ranatunga Wednesday filed his nomination for the Secretary post in the forthcoming election at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) from K. Mathivanan Camp, Cricket Age reliably learns.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled to take place on May 20, to choose the office bearers for next two years to run the cricket board in the country and the nominations are being filed today.
Nishantha, undoubtedly one of the most prominent and visionary administrator in Sri Lanka Cricket history, had previously held the same position at the Maitland Place. Younger brother of legendary World Cup Winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, during Nishantha’s tenure at SLC, the national team was among top three in Test, ODI and T20I Rankings.
Mathivanan, meanwhile, is one individual whose integrity has not been challenged even by his worst detractors. One of the most honest and transparent administrator, Mathivanan enjoys a cult status within the former and present players alike. The confidence the SLC affiliated clubs have had on Mathivanan was evident in abundance at last SLC election held in February 2019, in which Mathivanan became the only candidate from his camp, led by Jayantha Dharmadasa then, to be elected into the SLC ex-co.
Later, though, he resigned from his post due to to the differences with Shammi Silva led administration making a way for Jayantha Dhrmadasa, who betrayed his own team and shamelessly parachuted himself at Maitland Place, through so called political backing.
Bandula Warnapura is another high profile candidate from Mathivanan side, who filed his nomination today, for the post of Vice President. A former Sri Lankan captain, He played 4 Test matches and 12 One Day Internationals (ODIs) during his international cricketing career from 1975 to 1982. Widely respected for his contribution to cricket, Warnapura captained Sri Lanka’s first Test match, and also faced the first delivery and scored the first run for his team.
“We have the support of majority of former Sri Lanka players and stakeholder. Having a transparent administration will be our priority” a close associate of K. Mathivanan told Cricket Age.
