Thilanga Sumathipala, self proclaimed messiah of Sri Lanka cricket, is facing wide criticism for his shameful act during the Island’s 1996 World Cup Silver Jubilee Ceremony hosted by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday (March 17).
The ceremony was graced by majority of former players, including members of World Cup winning team members, former and present administrators.
Sumathipala, surprisingly, was also invited and he couldn’t prevent himself in doing his usual tricks during the ceremony, which irked most of the guests!
For the high profile ceremony, Prime Minister’s table was reserved only for three other guests – World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, Minister SB Dissanayake and deputy Minister Jeevan Kumartunga.
However, Sumathipala, who was seated in other raw, pulled off a chair from a nearby table and without inviting by anyone, shamelessly seated along with Prime Minister and legendary captain!
“It was disgraceful act by Sumathipala. It was shameful and majority of invitees were not comfortable with this” a former Sri Lanka cricketer told Cricket Age.
Notably, Sumathipala has been bared from the cricket after his involvement in betting and gambling was exposed by International Cricket Council (ICC) itself.
“Even if he was invited, if had little bit of self respect, he should have not attended the ceremony, as he has been banned from the cricket. Instead, he ended up doing his usual tricks and became a laughing stock” another former Sri Lanka cricketer told Cricket Age.
